DANA ENROLLMENT JUMPS 10 PERCENT
Better recruitment and marketing
bring college
to largest size since 1971
A large influx of incoming freshmen and transfer students boosted
Dana College’s overall enrollment to a level not seen since
the Vietnam War, according to college administrators.
Dean of Enrollment Management Jim Lynes said 202 freshmen helped
push the total full-time enrollment to 617. In comparison, last
fall Dana’s full-time enrollment was 563. The new students
as well as healthy retention of existing students have made Dana’s
student body 10 percent larger than last year, and the biggest group
since the height of the Vietnam War in 1971. The addition of 20
traditional part-time students and 32 part-time Danish students
studying here for a shortened study term this fall brings the total
headcount at Dana this fall to 669.
Administrators at the college said they believe these levels of
full-time enrollment will continue because they are based on long-term
changes, rather than a one-time demographic shift or promotion.
"The spike has happened a year earlier than I thought it would
happen," Lynes said. "I think this trend will continue.
The college has said they want to get to 750 in enrollment, and
I think we can expect to see that within the next five years."
Many reasons were given for Dana’s sudden surge in enrollment,
including:
- Focusing on local recruiting of students who want to attend
a school where they can be both academically challenged and participate
in many extracurricular activities.
- A new marketing approach that informs prospective students
about Dana College’s personality and strengths.
- The addition of unique, career-oriented academic majors, such
as criminal justice and iMedia.
- Changes to the admissions process that make applying easier,
but focus on higher-achieving students.
“I have to credit an outstanding team of admissions personnel,
coaches and directors, supported by our excellent faculty and staff
with the growth in new students,” said Dana College President
Myrvin Christopherson. “I also believe a more aggressive and
focused marketing effort, revisions in and addition of new academic
majors, and the new Gardner-Hawks Center have all helped more want
to attend Dana.”
Dana College is a place where all students actively participate.
They make things happen — in their own lives and in the lives
of others. Through a highly supportive faculty and campus community,
Dana students develop interpersonal skills, leadership abilities,
and other important values and knowledge as they make choices about
their future. Dana’s outstanding academic programs in business,
education, art and social work, among others, ensure that students
have the knowledge, skills and experience necessary to pursue challenging
careers or placement in graduate school.
Dana College is a private, liberal arts institution in Blair, Neb.
To learn more, visit www.dana.edu.
Dana College: Develop talents, Take charge,
Build a future — We’re with you all the way.
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For more information contact:
Sarah Cavanah
Communications Coordinator
Dana College
(402) 426-7216
scavanah@dana.edu |
