FLC enrollment jumps more than 4 percent

Fort Lewis College reached a milestone as its enrollment broke the 4,000-student mark for the first time since 2004. Total on and off campus undergraduate enrollment is 4,028 for fall 2013. The College’s new Master of Arts in Education program adds another 37 graduate students, making FLC’s total enrollment for this year 4,065, an increase of 174 students or more than 4 percent over 2012. The increase surpasses the College’s goal of a 2 percent enrollment increase each year.

Highlights of the enrollment report included a 2.2 percent increase in freshmen and a 6.6 percent increase in transfer students. This year also marks the first time in recent memory that FLC students come from all 50 states.

Particularly exciting is the 3.7 percent rise in continuing students. The additional continuing students are encouraging news for retention and graduation rates.

"This is a great day for Fort Lewis College,” says FLC President Dene Thomas. “To see our enrollment numbers exceed expectations, especially in the face of a challenging recruiting environment across the state, is a reflection of FLC's growing reputation as a world-class academic institution. I have travelled across the nation and around the world to spread the word about our remarkable College to help bring new students and new opportunities to Durango."

Along with President Thomas’ travels, the College has worked hard on its marketing and admission efforts, often with an eye to national exposure. One example is FLC’s participation in the 2012 USA Pro Cycling Challenge stage race. At least one student now enrolled at Fort Lewis College was introduced to Durango and FLC by watching that race.

The College is also working to strengthen its relationship with the community. The Durango Area Tourism Office (DATO) works hard to bring national attention to Durango, and that attention often includes FLC. In addition, the Durango Welcome Center is a partnership between DATO, FLC, the Durango Business Improvement District and the City of Durango. The Center has yielded at least one new freshman this year.

All of this new investment is vital to keep Fort Lewis College’s enrollment on the rise. Since 2004, the College’s enrollment has fluctuated year-to-year, with an overall downward trend. The lowest enrollment of the past 10 years was 3,685 in 2009. Past enrollment was temporarily hurt by the College’s decision to raise its admission standards in 2008. The reasoning behind the decision was to admit better-prepared students who were more likely to retain and graduate.

The horizon looks bright, though, as 2013 marks the second straight year of increasing enrollment. This, along with the increased number of continuing students, may indicate that the College’s decision to raise its admission standards is paying off.

“I am grateful to our Enrollment Management and Admission teams, as well as to our faculty and other staff who do so much to help our students succeed,” says President Thomas. “I am also excited about what this means for our future. It's a great day to be a Skyhawk!”