A&M-Commerce sees more than 11 percent rise in enrollment

Enrollment at Texas A&M University-Commerce increased by more than 11 percent in the Spring 2011 semester, according to Dean of Enrollment and Retention Division Stephanie Holley.

"Currently, our enrollment is 10,671, up 11.4 percent from spring 2010," Holley said.

The enrollment increase is the result of a heavy focus on student service.

"We are deliberately focused on attracting and retaining quality students, providing quality instruction, delivering high levels of service to our students and prospective students, increasing access and creating opportunities for success," Holley said. "We are a great option for many who are discovering all that we have to offer at A&M-Commerce."

Higher enrollment indicates the rising popularity of the university, according to Vice President of Student Access and Success Dr. Mary Hendrix.

"A&M-Commerce is becoming a first-choice university," she said. "We have focused on student access, personal service, support for students and quality instruction. It is a winning combination."

According to A&M-Commerce President Dan Jones, the enrollment increase is the result of hard work by university faculty and staff.

"Our robust enrollment growth this spring is a testament to the hard work of many, many people – admissions and financial aid counselors, academic advisors, folks in business affairs, and especially the faculty," Jones said. "It is both humbling and gratifying to see students coming in record numbers to A&M-Commerce because of the quality and excellence of the education they will receive here."

According to Holley, even students played a role in the increasing number of students.

"The increase should be attributed to each and every student, staff and faculty member who worked tirelessly to increase enrollment for fall 2010 and now, spring 2011," she said. "In addition to our team members whose job it is to recruit new and retain current students, enrollment and retention is the work of the entire university community.  Everyone has a role and because they take that seriously, we all win."

The increasing enrollment at A&M-Commerce requires an expanding of university facilities.

"We are building new residence halls, adding eating space in the cafeteria, evaluating course schedule options and focusing on caring, relationship-oriented experiences for all students," Holley said.

The increase in students is part of A&M-Commerce's goal of 11,000 students by the fall 2011 semester.

"We believe that we can meet our goal of 11,000 students, but of course we are concerned that the proposed state budget reductions may impact enrollment," Hendrix said.

The new residence hall on the corner of Highway 50 and Culver is on schedule to be completed by Aug. 1, 2011 with a new hall planned for next year. According to head of facilities David McKenna, the plans for the cafeteria expansion are still in the beginning stages.