News release prepared by: Erinn Barcomb-Peterson, 785-532-1543, ebarcomb@k-state.edu
Thursday, Sept. 27, 2012
Another record: Kansas State University's enrollment tops 24,300
MANHATTAN -- As Kansas State University approaches its 150th year, the university reached another milestone number: a record enrollment of 24,378.
The university, which celebrates its sesquicentennial beginning Feb. 14, 2013, has the largest enrollment in its history, up nearly 500 students from a year ago. This fall's enrollment includes the largest and most diverse freshman class and more students who were first in their high school class ever to enroll at the university.
"Being the No. 1 choice for Kansas high school seniors is a special honor," said Pat Bosco, vice president for student life and dean of students. "This distinction serves our mission and demonstrates our commitment to our state. Students recognize that there has never been a better time to be a Wildcat."
Among the more than 24,000 students are more than 3,800 freshmen who have access to K-State First, a set of programs that helps integrate them into college life by connecting them with academics, professors and their fellow students.
The largest enrollment in university history includes growth on all three campuses. There are 21,179 students in Manhattan, 737 in Salina, and students are now enrolled in the Olathe campus's new graduate programs. The university has 2,445 students enrolled online. The university increased its number of on campus graduate students by more than 100.
"Growing enrollment shows that Kansas State University has the momentum to become a Top 50 public research university by 2025," said President Kirk Schulz. "Our goals for K-State 2025 include building on our strengths of providing the best undergraduate educational experience, as well as increasing the number of doctorates we award. The fact that more than 24,000 students have chosen to be part of the university family shows that they believe in the possibilities that lie ahead."
This fall's freshman class set another record for multicultural student enrollment. The campuses gained 161 more students identifying as Black, Hispanic, Asian, American Indian, Hawaiian/Pacific Islander or multiracial for a total of 3,379.
"One of the only sustainable sources of growth possible in our student enrollments yields from domestic multicultural students, and to get them here takes a proactive and concerted effort," said Myra Gordon, associate provost for diversity. "New Student Services has the strongest team for multicultural student recruitment ever, and the office of diversity Project IMPACT recruitment initiatives have exposed literally thousands of multicultural students to the K-State campus."
Gordon said student success programs like PILOTS, Diverse Success and MAPS support the retention of these students, while the climate for diversity facilitates their growth in cultural identity and cultural competence.
"Multicultural students can come here and be truly bicultural scholars and leaders," Gordon said. "This K-State rocks! That's all there is to it."
From Afghanistan to Zimbabwe to China, countries around the world are represented in the university's 2,045 international students, an increase of more than 180 from a year ago and another record for international student enrollment.
