Clarion University's enrollment is stronger than expected, as evidenced by a freshman class that is better academically prepared and the nearly the same in number as last year's freshman class.
The stabilization in enrollment follows a statewide trend outlined in a population study by The Center for Rural Pennsylvania. According to the study, "From 2010 to 2040, the number of rural senior citizens is projected to increase 54 percent, while the number of youth is projected to decline 3 percent." The study asserts that the demographic shift will impact colleges and universities with a shrinking pool of applicants.
"(Clarion's enrollment numbers) are down while we continue to have larger classes graduating that have been replaced with smaller classes," said Ron Nowaczyk, Ph.D., Clarion provost. "While the big drops happened in previous years, we'll still see some of that effect for the next couple of years."
Enrollment for the 2015-16 academic year stands at 5,368.
Still, there is growth, and the university is taking intentional steps to make sure that continues.
Several programs – education, nursing and finance in particular – have seen increased enrollment, and the recently added nutrition and fitness major met its enrollment goal of 25 students in its first year.
Five other new programs, developed in response to student and workforce demand, are also attracting students. Clarion's first doctorate program, the Doctor of Nursing Practice (in cooperation with Edinboro University), accepted students in summer 2015, while the Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in paralegal studies, the Bachelor of Science in sport management and the Master of Science in applied data analytics begin this fall. The online Bachelor of Science in criminal justice administration also opened in 2015.
In addition, Clarion is currently developing six new bachelor's degrees, three new master's degrees and a Doctor of Education degree.
Along with academic opportunities, the university is working to serve students in other educational aspects. In August Clarion opened Suites on Main North, the first of two suite-style housing facilities that replace Wilkinson and Nair residence halls. The traditional halls are outdated and no longer meet student needs. The second facility will open in January.
Also in August, Clarion reopened Becht Hall as a centralized place for students to get questions answered and needs met. Ralston Hall also saw significant renovations to accommodate the growing nursing program on the Clarion campus.
"Our philosophy is to make it as easy and efficient for students to get the support and resources they need in one physical location," said Clarion University Provost Ron Nowaczyk. "We also are moving more of our routine services online to enhance student service."
In July Clarion welcomed David McFarland as director of scholarships to work with the admissions office and Clarion University Foundation, Inc., in the development and allocation of scholarships. Since his arrival, Clarion has announced a new merit-based scholarship for incoming freshmen in 2016. Scholarship awards starting at $1000 are being offered to students with a high school GPA of 3.0 or higher and an SAT score of at least 1,000 (critical reading and math) or ACT score of at least 21.
"These scholarships are in response to the fact that we are getting more academically talented applicants applying to Clarion each year," said Ron Nowaczyk, Ph.D., Clarion provost. "We want to reward these students for their accomplishments and help them and their families make Clarion their college of choice."
Nowaczyk said the median high school GPA of this year's freshman class is 3.41, an increase over the 3.35 median GPA of last year's freshman class.
"We are thrilled that we have maintained our enrollment of our freshman class and enrolled students with a higher high school GPA and SAT scores," said Clarion President Karen M. Whitney. "We are confident that this year's freshman class will be very successful at Clarion."