LEWISTON, Idaho - Overall enrollment at Lewis-Clark State College for the fall 2014 semester is even with last year’s headcount of 4,304, despite three years of the largest graduating classes in LCSC history and student attrition resulting from substantial changes in the financial aid regulatory environment. The number of students enrolling at LCSC directly from high school is up over 15% compared to last year. International student headcount is up nearly 19% for a total of 112 degree-seeking international students and overall self-reported minority students are up as well. Enrollment in the Division of Nursing and Health Sciences grew by over 6% and the number of degree-seeking students who did not declare a major increased by 7%.
“We have focused our efforts on increasing the number of recent high school graduates and international students enrolling at LC,” said Andrew Hanson, Vice President for Student Affairs. “It’s gratifying to see plans that in some cases have taken months to develop, produce the results we wanted. Our residence halls are nearly at capacity, which is another indication that our efforts to attract traditional students have been effective.”
College officials will work to maintain these positive trends while expanding the number of transfer and other non-traditional students (returning adult students).
“During this academic year, we will be reinstating our Portfolio Program (now called Prior Experiential Learning), offering students the opportunity to earn academic credit for life and work experience, and expanding our online educational offerings,” Hanson said. “Next fall, we should see increased enrollments from these efforts.”
“The College continues its outreach efforts to meet the needs of local businesses and the general population,” said LCSC President Tony Fernandez. “During Fiscal Year 2014, the College served 3,533 students, an increase of 11.6%, in non-credit Workforce Training courses. Also in Fiscal Year 2014, the College served 1,132 students in non-credit community outreach courses offered in communities including Grangeville and Orofino, an increase of 5.3% from the previous year.”