Overall decline in enrollment persists
Texas A&M University-Kingsville (TAMUK) has experienced a decline in enrollment beginning before the COVID-19 pandemic and continuing after.
Since the decline started the university has introduced new programs for current, incoming and transfer students to aid enrollment numbers, and maintain dual enrollment agreements with area schools.
This fall TAMUK saw a 19 percent increase in the freshmen class, an increase Assistant Vice President for Enrollment Management and Professor of Music Dr. Darin Hoskisson calls historic.
For the fall of 2021, 896 students were enrolled as freshmen. In the fall 2022, the number increased to a preliminary 1,068 students.
“While our overall enrollment was down, we did have some positives in enrollment. For example, TAMUK experienced a significant increase in new freshmen this year. We had a 19 percent increase over last year,” he said. “We experienced historic growth with our freshmen class this year, but if we don’t ensure these students are successfully progressing to their next year, our enrollment will continue to decline.”
Hoskisson says the university’s greatest challenge comes with its continuing students – sophomores, juniors and seniors.
“Our retention rate was lower than the previous year and we were down almost across the board on continuing students. That is really where our enrollment decline came from,” Hoskisson said.
TAMUK President Dr. Robert Vela has a positive outlook on enrollment.
“The increase is a clear indication that the enhanced efforts of our recruiters, faculty and the work of our admissions team are working,” he said. “We have also spent much of the last year re-connecting with area high schools and community colleges to better serve the students in our region. Texas A&M-Kingsville is an outstanding university, and we have much to offer students. A Texas A&M-Kingsville education can have a transformational impact on our students and their families, and we are excited that more than 1,000 new first-year students have chosen to continue their education at TAMUK.”
The university also oversees dual enrollment programs with a total of 1270 students enrolled in dual credit course for the fall 2021 and 2022 semesters. The university currently maintains dual enrollment agreements with Santa Gertrudis, Benavides, Bishop, Brooks County, Kingsville, Riviera, Macedonian Christian Academy, Premont, Presbyterian Pan American School, School of Science & Technology – Corpus Christi and Taft school districts.
Along with dual enrollment agreements TAMUK has introduced several programs over the last few years focused on aiding enrollment.
In the fall of 2018, the university saw a total of 6,916 undergraduate and dual enrollment students. In the fall of 2019 there were 6,130 undergraduate and dual enrollment students. In the fall of 2020, 5,650 undergraduate and dual enrollment students. In the fall of 2021, 5,075 undergraduate and dual enrollment students. In the fall of 2022, 4,845 undergraduate and dual enrollment students.
The university has programs in place to help students.
“The Javelina Promise tuition assistance program and the Javelina Rebound, which sought to encourage stopped-out students to return to campus to complete their degrees, are effective tools in removing some of the financial barriers that can impact a student’s journey to graduation,” Vela said.
With the significant gains made in enrollment this semester for freshmen, Vela is excited to build on that momentum.
“We also know the last few years have been challenging, and students may have had to pause their education to take care of other matters. We are reaching out to these students to let them know we are still here for them and will work with them so they can return to TAMUK and continue their education,” he said.
The university is still searching for a Vice President of Enrollment. Former Vice President of Enrollment, Dr. Rito Silva said the university has formed a committee with a plan to have the position filled by the end of the year.
With the search underway the TAMUK is also working with Ruffalo Noel Levitz.
“The University is working with Ruffalo Noel Levitz (RNL), the premiere enrollment management consultants in the country, to establish enrollment goals. The strategic enrollment management plan is scheduled to be delivered in December,” Silva said.
Through working with RNL the university has been making adjustments and improvements in processes and initiatives with a plan of implementing strategic initiatives. It should be released in December with a major focus on retention of current students, Hoskisson said.
The university’s ultimate goal is providing outstanding and affordable education to all students.
“It is important to note that enrollment is multi-faceted and includes retention, completion, and stopped-out students. Our team is committed to addressing these areas,” Vela said.
“It is vital that once students choose to attend TAMUK, we provide the guidance and support necessary at every turn to make sure they are progressing toward their goal, which ultimately leads to that incredible moment when they cross the stage at commencement,” he said.
