Trinity Posts Record Enrollment With More than 2,000 Students
President Patricia McGuire announced that Trinity’s fall 2009 enrollment is 2,076, an all-time high in the history of Trinity. This record enrollment marks the first time that Trinity has enrolled more than 2,000 students, and is a 19% increase in enrollment over fall 2008.
More than 800 students are enrolled in the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS), Trinity’s historic women’s college; this is the largest enrollment in the women’s college since 1969. Trinity welcomed more than 350 new students in the College of Arts and Sciences — the largest number since 1965. More than 900 students are enrolled in the School of Professional Studies (SPS) and more than 340 students are enrolled in the School of Education (EDU). Trinity welcomed more than 750 new students this fall. “Reaching an all-time high in enrollment is a tremendous accomplishment, especially in this year when so many other universities are experiencing enrollment declines as a result of the recession,” said President McGuire.
President McGuire cited several key factors that are driving Trinity’s substantial growth in enrollment:
The Trinity Center for Women and Girls in Sports: Since the Trinity Center opened in 2003, Trinity’s full-time undergraduate enrollment has grown by 62%. With more than 30,000 visitors annually, the Trinity Center has dramatically increased Trinity’s visibility in the Washington region.
Nursing: Since Trinity started the nursing program in 2007, enrollments in both the College of Arts and Sciences and the School of Professional Studies have grown by 30% or more, due largely to new enrollments in nursing.
Improved Retention: A major focus on improving retention in all academic units has reaped a steady increase in students returning from one semester to the next, with the most dramatic increase in CAS — a full five percentage points improvement in retained students this year from 79.4% last year to 84.4% this year, with an overall institutional improvement from 81% to 84% from fall 2008 to fall 2009.
Learning Communities and First Year Experience: The dramatic retention improvement in the College of Arts and Sciences is a direct result of the tremendous effort that the faculty have devoted to developing a new General Education Program with a distinctive focus on the First Year Experience.
Enrollment Services and Academic Resources: Major reorganizations to locate important service groups in “one stop shop” clusters have reaped great benefits. Enrollment Services — financial aid, the registrar, student accounts — is now one central stop in an easily accessible location. Academic Resources — the Writing Center, tutorials, learning skills support, career services — are conveniently available to all students on the first floor of the Library. Studies show that convenient and accessible services improve student satisfaction, retention and ultimate success.
Online Services and Communications: Trinity’s virtual campus environment makes it easier than ever for students and faculty to communicate. Students register and follow their accounts with IQ.Web, and faculty and students use the Moodle platform for course management — syllabi, class chats, assignments, and other electronic resources. Upgrades to Trinity’s Admissions website have made it even easier and more appealing for prospective students to interface with Trinity’s programs and staff.
The women’s college advantage: The women’s college experience is appealing to an increasing number of young women. Trinity’s many well known alumnae success stories influence young women in high school and older women in the workplace — Trinity’s students today affirmatively embrace the value of women’s education as a platform for lifetime success.President’s Fall 2009 Newsletter