Summer enrollment numbers decrease at TAMUK
Numbers obtained from the university comparing both summer 2022 terms with those of summer 2021 show that summer enrollment at Texas A&M University-Kingsville (TAMUK) has declined amongst students.
Some 1,702 students registered for summer I in 2021, compared to the 1,603 that registered for the same term in 2022, a total enrollment difference of 99 students. The number of undergraduates decreased by 79, those seeking master’s degrees decreased by 10 and those attaining a PhD also decreased by 10.
As for summer II, there was a 123-student enrollment decrease between the 1,424 students registered for 2021 and the 1,311 registered for 2022. Undergraduates decreased by 136 students, those in graduate school increased by 16 students and doctoral students decreased by three.
“We do not focus a lot on summer enrollment because it is dependent on individual student circumstances. We don’t put a lot of weight into changes in summer enrollment and so we do not have a plan of action to increase summer enrollment. However, if our enrollment is up for Fall 2022 (which we are currently trending up), then we will most likely see an increase in summer enrollment next summer,” Assistant Vice President for Enrollment Management Dr. Darin Hoskisson said.
Hoskisson explains that many students take advantage of summer semesters to complete their degree in a shorter amount of time.
Senior criminology major Katelynn Dominguez explained her decision to enroll in only one summer session this school year and not both.
“I took summer I since I was still in a school state of mind, I hadn’t flipped the switch yet,” Dominguez said.
Dominguez was ahead in her degree plan and felt it was best to take some time off in the summer to enjoy what was left of it. She plans on spending time with herself, family and friends and getting prepared for the fall semester. Dominguez intends to graduate in spring of 2023 and states her anticipation for the few semesters she has left.
“I’m looking forward to seeing what opportunities and success I will bring for myself and my peers, completing my last year of track and field, meeting new people and finishing off the year,” Dominguez said. “After I graduate, I look forward to starting my PhD program in London. Since I got a scholarship for it, I had to jump on the opportunity.”
Though Hoskisson doesn’t have control over class cancellation due to low enrollment, he doesn’t doubt that some classes may have been cut already. Even with less students this summer than last, Hoskisson states that no one department was hit harder than others.
“We are not predicting a decline. It will likely mirror an increase or decline in Fall 2022. We experienced about a 7 percent decline in summer 2022 enrollment over Summer 2021. Our Fall 2021 decline was also about 7 percent,” Hoskisson said.
TAMUK has general enrollment goals, included but not limited to summer terms, as they plan to pursue them next school year as well as those to come.
“In December 2021, the University contracted with Ruffalo Noel Levitz (RNL) – a national leader in enrollment management consulting and services to assist with the development of a Strategic Enrollment Plan,” Vice President of Student Affairs and Community Relationships Dr. Rito Silva said. “RNL is spending this year visiting with University leaders and focusing on areas such as recruitment, financial aid, student life and marketing and communications.”
Silva states that by December 2022, TAMUK will have a carefully curated Strategic Enrollment Plan. This plan will guide the university’s enrollment, recruitment and retention efforts in future semesters.
As students reach the end of their summer terms, the fall semester nears close, Hoskisson recommends that students develop effective study habits as they transition from a fast-paced summer schedule to a longer and more spread out fall term.
