By KRISTEN KIRTLEY
Assistant Editor
The enrollment numbers at Northwestern have increased this semester, and are higher than they were in the spring of 2023.
Compared to last spring, the numbers have increased by 4.5% in head count and the credit hours have increased by a little over 3%.
Calleb Mosburg, dean of student affairs and enrollment management, explained that a lot of the increase comes from concurrent enrollment and retention.
He said Northwestern is almost even on the numbers for new students and transfers.
“Our LASSO office is doing a lot of great work, and our faculty is doing a great job at reaching out to students about enrollment dates and advising them.” Mosburg said.
Mosburg mentioned that the increase in enrollment numbers has been achieved because of the collective effort between student services, the enrollment management side and faculty.
LASSO, which stands for leadership, academic success and superior outcomes, is a federal grant program that Northwestern has.
LASSO is currently in the third year of their five-year period, and they strive to increase retention efforts and graduation rates.
The grant guides students by helping them choose a degree path, find career opportunities, helping them choose a major that fits them and more.
LASSO’s services are available to every student at Northwestern.
“On the recruitment end of things, it’s a big effort,” Mosberg said.
Mosberg said that although the recruitment staff is primarily running recruitment, the athletic programs, fine arts programs, band, choir and others do their part in recruiting students as well.
Mosberg explained that several departments go out to different communities and sponsor events.
“There are several efforts going on,” Mosberg said.
He explained that Northwestern recruiters are visiting well over one-hundred high schools multiple times a year.
During these visits, the recruiters make an effort to get to know the school counselors and seniors on a personal level.
They also talk to them about the opportunities, cost and the various degree options that are offered at Northwestern.
“The biggest thing is getting potential recruits to campus so they can see for themselves that Northwestern is a great place to be,” Mosberg said. “Northwestern does a phenomenal job in making sure recruitment efforts are continuing to expand.”
Mosberg said that Northwestern wants to see students graduate and excel.
Dr. Bo Hannaford, president of Northwestern, said he’s excited about the increase in enrollment numbers, and this is something that has been happening over the last 3 or 4 semesters. He said he thinks there are many reasons for the increase, one of them being retention efforts. He also mentioned LASSO, the SS grant and the academic success center.
“I think all those factors have benefited our retention rate, and recruitment has done a good job” Hannaford said. “Compared to last spring, our numbers are up 24% in new, first-time, full-time freshmen.”
Enrollment up 4.5% from last spring.