August

Fall enrollment projections show a .6 percent increase

University enrollment could buck a historic trend.

By Nathan Solheim

August 30, 2017

It appears MSU Denver’s enrollment is moving up.

Projections of MSU Denver’s fall semester enrollment show a potential increase of .6 percent. The increase, which could be the University’s first in several years, can be attributed to growth in a few key incoming student groups, said Lori Kester, associate vice president of enrollment management.

For starters, MSU Denver’s Latino enrollment currently is forecast to be 26 percent—up from 24 percent last fall. The number is all the more important because it means the University has met the threshold for Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) status.

Also, Kester said, the University is projected to see a 4 percent increase from fall 2016 in new-student enrollment, which means MSU Denver is attracting more students from high school.

“We’re seeing an increase in enrollment for the first time in the last several years, which is exciting,” Kester said. “It’s nice to see that we are also breaking the downward trend.” In the past, enrollment has increased with an economic downturn.

Kester said the number will change before census, and that every employee at the University has a chance to help keep enrollment up.

“We need to make sure we’re helping students as much as possible,” Kester said. “Go the extra mile to make sure students get what they need. Be friendly. Customer service goes a long way.”