January 31, 2017 Comments 0 Julena Allen 1903 Views

Student Enrollment Increases Significantly in Spring Semester

There are more students on SWAU sidewalks and in classrooms this semester. Enrollment is up.

Total student headcount at Southwestern Adventist University increased from 802 Fall Semester to 831 in Spring Semester as of Jan. 25. The unprecedented growth was reached when SWAU not only retained existing students but also attracted new students to the campus.

According to Enga Almeida, vice president for enrollment, this means two things: recruitment went well and the overall retention of students eligible to return was good. This year Southwestern’s conversion rate improved dramatically with more students applying from Texas than anywhere else.

“Every year we review how we do things to find ways to improve how we connect with the prospective student,” Almeida says. “It’s never just one thing but a combination of things that make a difference, from more personal contact between the prospect and their enrollment counselor, to sharing our student outcomes in a more compelling way, to getting financial aid packages completed earlier, to more faculty interactions during the decision process.”

“Recruiting is a campus-wide effort. From the friendliness of our students, the knowledge of campus tour guide, the experience in the residence halls, to a music audition or sports tryout—it’s all about how they see themselves fitting in at Southwestern,” she says.

Thanks to the combined effort of the faculty, staff and students, more and more people and students are feeling welcomed and a part of the SWAU family.

“This growth is good for many reasons,” says Almeida. “It keeps the campus vibrant. It gives administration ability to create new academic programs, expand services for our students, upgrade or facilities, and helps the campus remain financially strong.”