Enrollment numbers continue to rise

Total undergraduate enrollment increased this semester by 8.71 percent according to figures released on Jan. 19.

Juniors saw the largest jump with 202 new students attending Texas A&M University-Commerce. From a percentile perspective, freshmen saw the largest increase with 24.04 percent new students.

Although there are 156 new freshmen signed up for classes, Vice President of Student Access and Success Mary Hendrix said the increase in freshman enrollment is comparable to last year's final enrollment.

"Many of our students were new to our university in the fall, " she said. "The efforts of our success coaches and our Freshman Success Seminars are making a difference in retaining these students."

Hendrix said she is expecting to retain the majority of students enrolled this semester as well.

"There may be a slight decline, particularly after the 20th day," she said. "However, we are also adding new students today."

The numbers will most likely fluctuate until Friday, according to Hendrix. There were 93 schedules dropped last year by the 20th class day Hendrix said, but this semester she is expecting overall enrollment to be up by 5 percent.

Hendrix said the university used the same advertising campaign as they have in the past but last semester new tactics were initiated to bring in students.

"We focused on creating relationships with counselors and students, " she said.
"I also think our new partnership with Collin County Higher Education Center is impacting our enrollment."

The Collin County Higher Education Center is a new building that opened this semester allowing students in Colin County to take several junior, senior or graduate level courses without having to drive to Commerce. Students at the center can work toward three different undergraduate degrees in the center.

Graduate enrollment has also seen an increase this semester.

The total enrollment for master's degree students has increased by 5 percent, adding 177 students to the enrollment, and doctoral student enrollment rose by 12.23 percent with 45 new students.

Overall the university has enrolled 748 more students this semester than in the fall.