Spring Semester Sets Enrollment Record
Greetings from Valley City State University!
This past week we were very pleased to announce another record-breaking semester of enrollment. Our recent total headcount of 1,632 students and 1,501 undergrads represents our sixth straight year of record enrollment in the spring semester. Additionally, our undergraduate institutional FTE (full-time equivalent) increased to 1,068 and the total FTE increased to 1,119. The growth continues a decade-long trend at VCSU as our total headcount for the spring semester has increased by 25 percent – or more than 300 students – over the past 10 years.
As I visit with business and community leaders, legislators, colleagues, and supporters in Valley City, the region, and across the state, I’m often asked, “What exactly is contributing to this continued growth at VCSU?” There is no single answer, rather it’s the combined effect of many different initiatives, a continued commitment to quality teaching, a welcoming and personalized atmosphere, a curriculum that is relevant and reflects current needs and trends in the workforce, and a continued focus on student success and the overall student experience.
Our ability to deliver quality curriculum through skilled faculty, coupled with personal learning environments and small class sizes, continues to set VCSU apart.
One important aspect of enrollment growth is retaining the students we attract as freshmen or transfers and guiding them to their goal of completing a degree. About one year ago we created a task force to examine our retention efforts and suggest areas for improvement. This group continues to meet on a regular basis to discuss specific strategies for implementation at VCSU. The success of this effort is already apparent with an increase in last year’s fall-to-spring retention rate of our first-year, full-time students pushing that figure to almost 90%. Our fall 2019 to fall 2020 overall retention percentage increased from 86.2% to 87.4%.
Our hard work in bringing students to Valley City State and helping them succeed pays off for the students, their families and for us. These numbers are an indicator of the quality teaching and learning environment on our campus, which we continually strive to improve, remaining ever mindful of our charge to provide an outstanding education and great value.
Be assured, we don’t take these increased enrollment numbers and positive trends for granted. We must always remember that these numbers aren’t just an abstract count; they represent people. They are students who have entrusted us to help provide academic, social and life skills that place them on pathways to successful careers and life after college. We appreciate the trust placed in us by the students and their families, and we pledge to continue delivering the quality education that has been a hallmark of Valley City State University for generations to come.
Go Vikings!