11 Feb Steady enrollment continues at WSC
WILLISTON, N.D. – Steady enrollment continues at Williston State College with 1,189 registered students for the Spring 2020 semester according to census totals released Tuesday, February 11.
Released four weeks after the first day of a new semester, census totals provide a snapshot of enrollment for the Spring 2020 semester.
Spring 2020 numbers represent WSC’s second highest reported enrollment between fall and spring with just a slight dip from Spring 2019 in headcount and full-time equivalent (FTE), a calculation that shows how many students would attend if all were full-time.
While headcount is down 34 students from Spring 2019, FTE numbers held steady with last year’s totals. In addition, the most recent census numbers continue to point to overall growth for WSC over the past five years.
“WSC’s spring enrollment patterns reflect a robust job market in the northwest part of the state, especially in the energy sector,” explained Dr. John Miller, WSC President. “We have increasing numbers of high school graduates and non-traditional students choosing to postpone college and enter the workforce. The choice to defer college while working gives WSC an opportunity to engage these prospective students in different and non-traditional roles of learning and earning.”
Of this spring’s enrollees, 833 students are from North Dakota while 222 are from Montana. The remaining 134 come from several other states, Canada, and other countries.
The popularity of scholarships – the Williams County Graduate (WCG), the expanded Regional County, and the Academic Achievement Award (AAA) – plays a critical role in WSC’s steady enrollment.
The WSC Foundation funded $418,782 in scholarship awards, supporting 252 Williams County, Regional, and AAA scholarship recipients who are attending WSC this fall.
“These scholarships promote full-time enrollment and most of these students are on campus and engaged with the WSC community,” explained Kaylyn Bondy, Vice President for Student Affairs. “Full-time enrollment and campus engagement are two primary factors contributing to higher retention and completion.”
Early Entry (dual credit) classes also continue to be a factor behind steady enrollment. This spring’s Early Entry numbers include 478 students producing 2,117 credits. These numbers represent an increase of 6% respectively.
Enrollment continues at a steady and manageable rate, allowing WSC the time and flexibility to keep pace with expanding course and program requests.
The Summer 2020 schedule is currently available and open to enrollment. The Summer 2020 semester begins on Monday, June 1.
The 2020-2021 housing application will open later this week and is available to new and returning students. Interested students are encouraged to apply soon to guarantee placement. Housing questions can be directed to 701.774.4528 or wsc.housing@willistonstate.edu.
The Fall 2020 schedule will be released on Monday, March 9.
The WSC Foundation encourages anyone interested in donating to the regional scholarship programs or the housing incentive program to contact the WSC Foundation at 701.572.9275.
For more information on WSC’s spring enrollment, please contact Kim Wray, Vice President for Academic Affairs, at 701.774.4500 or kimberli.wray@willistonstate.edu.
For more information, please visit www.willistonstate.edu, call 701.774.4200, or stop by 1410 University Avenue, Williston, ND.