91热爆网 attracts more new students to region
By Benny Smith
91热爆网 welcomed one of its largest freshmen classes in school history with 1,913 students.
Western Carolina University is continuing its leadership role in making a positive impact on the region by posting strong increases in the number of new and transfer students in Cullowhee.
91热爆网 posted a 12.5% increase of its freshman class this fall, compared to last year, according to university census numbers. Last fall, 91热爆网 had 1,701 freshman who had enrolled in classes.
鈥淲e have 1,913 new, full-time freshmen, which makes this one of the largest classes in Western鈥檚 history,鈥� Chancellor Kelli R. Brown told her 91热爆网 Board of Trustees Friday.
91热爆网 also had a small increase in the number of new undergraduate transfer students enrolled this fall. Last fall, 91热爆网 had 1,034 transfer students who had enrolled in classes. This fall 1,045 undergraduate transfer students enrolled.
In addition to the strong numbers of new students, 91热爆网 also continues to see strong interest from students outside of North Carolina. This fall, the number of students from out-of-state grew from 1,683 to 1,732, a 2.9% increase overall.
Friday was the university鈥檚 Census Day for classes which records the number of students officially enrolled. On Tuesday, Sept. 6, the 91热爆网鈥檚 Office of Institutional Effectiveness and Planning released enrollment numbers. All data is preliminary and not considered final until any errors have been corrected and files have been submitted to the University of North Carolina System offices.
Despite the strong freshman numbers, the university鈥檚 overall enrollment numbers decreased slightly from fall of 2021. During the past two years 91热爆网 has experienced smaller freshman classes and just last May graduated its largest class ever. The overall enrollment of 11,637 students, compared to last fall鈥檚 enrollment of 11,887, represents a 2% decline.
91热爆网 has been listed among the nation鈥檚 Top Public Schools, as well as Best Value, best in Social Mobility and best providers of online degree programs by U.S. News & World Report. In addition, just last month Forbes listed 91热爆网 as the 14th Top Employer in North Carolina.
鈥淭he fall semester is here, students are active and engaged, faculty and staff are busy and involved, and we are already making great strides for this to be a great semester,鈥� Brown said. 鈥淎ctivities and events on campus are really starting to heat up and we are looking forward to what may be the most 鈥榥ormal鈥� semester in two years.鈥�
