CAPITAL REGION — The spring enrollment numbers at both SUNY Empire State University and SUNY Schenectady Community College have seen a significant rise, a success they attribute to the simplification of the admissions process for students.
According to data provided by the institutions, SUNY Schenectady has witnessed an 8% surge in new students for the spring term, while SUNY Empire has experienced a remarkable 25.3% increase.
This marks the second semester in a row where both institutions have seen a rise in the number of new and returning students.
This growth is particularly noteworthy given that the SUNY system has only seen a modest 1% increase in enrollment over the past year, following a decade of steady decline.
SUNY Schenectady attributes part of its success to the Student Welcome Center in Elston Hall, which was inaugurated in January 2023.
“The redesign of the first floor of Elston Hall into a Student Welcome Center was aimed at creating a one-stop solution for students to apply to the college, understand their financial aid options, and pay their bills, with our staff guiding them through each step,” explained SUNY Schenectady President Steady Moono. “The immediate impact was evident as more students were able to easily access crucial resources.”
The college is now preparing to launch a new student services center in the Stockade Building, which will offer personalized academic advising, success coaches, and career options, as per a recent press release.
“Our new Student Services Center is designed to provide students with essential academic support and career services, all under one roof,” added Moono.
Meanwhile, SUNY Empire has simplified its enrollment process by eliminating the essay requirement from its application. The college also ensures that recruiters assist students throughout the process. After orientation, new students are assigned a success coordinator for further guidance.
“The pandemic has forced many students to reconsider their educational needs and expectations,” said SUNY Empire President Lisa Vollendorf. “As the only online public university in New York state, we are uniquely equipped to cater to a diverse student body and have the necessary resources to support all students.”
Both colleges are also introducing new programs to draw more students.
In December 2023, SUNY Schenectady unveiled its new $2.5 million aviation hangar at the Schenectady County Airport for the Aviation Science degree program students. SUNY Empire, on the other hand, is offering initiatives like the military and veteran opportunity program, which provides students with additional, more personalized support, including military-specific mentoring, as per the college.
Great news for both SUNY Empire and SUNY Schenectady! Increased spring enrollment reflects growing interest in their programs.
Spring enrollment is a positive sign for the growth and popularity of SUNY Empire and SUNY Schenectady programs.