Central Michigan University recently announced an increase in several student populations for the fall semester.
CMU says they have its largest international student enrollment in a decade. Undergraduate enrollment also increased by 3.3%, and graduate enrollment by nearly 4% when compared to this time last year.
Jennifer DeHaemers, the Vice President of Student Recruitment and Retention at CMU, said she contributes the uptick in students to the school’s new marketing strategy.
“We are really trying to take a very personalized approach with our recruitment of students. Our marketing communications people have really been trying to raise the awareness of the university as well as the perception of the university,” she said.
DeHaemers said the university continues to graduate more students than what they’re bringing in, but she expects next year’s enrollment to change that.
“We think that next year is when our total enrollment will totally turn around. And it won't just be an increase in new students, but it will be an increase overall,” she said.
CMU recently announced they’re one of ten public universities in Michigan that will guarantee admission for high school students with a 3.0 GPA or higher.
DeHaemers said states who have implemented similar GPA enrollment strategies in the past, have seen increased university enrollment.