Arkansas State University System reports 8.7% fall enrollment increase

Arkansas State University System institutions reported an overall 8.7% fall enrollment increase, interim president Dr. Robin Myers recently told the Board of Trustees.

“Six of our seven campuses had an overall enrollment increase, and Henderson impressively outperformed expectations after expecting a 10% decrease,” Myers said. “All this growth is because of the extraordinary work of these campuses and their teams. FAFSA delays caused some consternation. The staffs came together with plans, initiative and deployments to make adjustment and support our students.”

A-State in Jonesboro led the growth for the system with a record 16,687 students – a 12% increase of 1,784 over last fall’s record of 14,903. First-year, on-campus students on the Jonesboro campus rose by 14.5%, while traditional undergraduate transfers were up 13.5%. About 72% of the students on campus are from Arkansas.

Henderson State University reported the number of first-time freshmen jumped 23% to 391 compared with 319 a year ago, while transfer students were up 19% to 149 compared with 125. Trends for overall enrollment have improved significantly, with total fall enrollment of 2,061 students only 3.6% lower than the 2,139 students last year.

Leading the way for the system’s two-year institutions in the fall reporting are ASU-Newport with 1,903 students, which is a 9.9% increase of 279 over 1,732 last fall, and ASU-Beebe with 3,289 students, which is an 9.3% increase of 279 over 3,010 last fall. ASU-Mountain Home rose 2.3% to 1,313, ASU Mid-South increased 0.3% to 1,024, and ASU Three Rivers grew 4% to 2,110.

A $2.2 million plan to replace the baseball turf and make related improvements at A-State’s Tomlinson Stadium received board approval. Trustees also agreed to rename the baseball field to become “Slayton Family Field” in recognition of longtime A-State alumnus and supporter Joe Slayton and his family foundation for their significant contributions to the university.

ASU Mid-South Chancellor Debra West outlined for trustees how the institution had been “strategically right-sizing” and has now “turned the corner with a fifth straight semester of enrollment growth.”

When she arrived as chancellor in 2015, Mid-South had an 11% graduation rate for first-time, full-time, three-year cohorts. Today, the campus has a 50% graduation rate that is well above the national average of 34%.

“Our goal is and will continue to be keeping students enrolled, engaged and positioned for success,” said West, noting difficult decisions were made to discontinue certain legacy programs that were not producing graduation outcomes and were not viable. “Our team’s progress from where we came is remarkable.”

The board thanked Myers, who was attending his final meeting, for serving as interim president since the January departure of Dr. Chuck Welch. Dr. Brendan Kelly becomes system president on Sept. 23.

“We were in need for an interim, and that was a scary thing,” Board Chair Christy Clark said. “I can’t think of a more perfect person that we could have had. We’re so grateful for your service.”

In other business, the board approved:

• Henderson to offer reduced credit-hour degrees that create accelerated pathways for students to obtain certain degrees in six semesters beginning next fall. They include bachelor of arts degrees in digital media production and sociology, and bachelor of science degrees in criminal justice, natural science pre-dental hygiene, natural science pre-pharmacy, and natural science pre-veterinary.

Gardner thanked Henderson Chancellor Trey Berry for taking “creative steps” and a lead role in the state with the accelerated pathways degree programs.

• Henderson to rename the Henderson Aviation Flight Operations Center in Arkadelphia as the Arkansas Aviation Academy. The name change is designed to more accurately describe the activities conducted in the flight operations portion of the aviation program that are separate from the Bachelor of Science degree in Aviation, which is the only such degree offered in the state. The Arkansas Aviation Academy will continue to offer multi-engine certification for existing pilots in a non-credit program format.

Trustee Steve Eddington said the Aviation Academy decision is “not just a name change, but a sign of bigger opportunities ahead” for the long-standing aviation program at Henderson.

• The addition of A-State’s Doctor of Veterinary Medicine to the list of programs of study that are exempt from ASU System tuition discounts. The addition is consistent with other advanced medical programs offered by A-State.

• The resignation of Cadence Bank, formerly BankcorpSouth Bank, as trustee for various system bonds and the appointment of Bank OZK as successor trustee. Bank OZK has entered into an agreement to purchase the corporate and municipal bond trustee business of Cadence Bank.

• A resolution to allow revisions compliant with applicable law as needed to the system Title IX policy.

• Application for a grant from the Arkansas Department of Human Services to continue participating in the Child and Adult Care Food Program, which provides food services to about 600 children in the Arkansas Delta.