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LEXINGTON, Ky.\u2014Transylvania University has bolstered enrollment by reaching out to diverse populations\u2014from its own backyard to across the globe.\n<\/p>\nLEXINGTON, Ky.\u2014Transylvania University has bolstered enrollment by reaching out to diverse populations\u2014from its own backyard to across the globe.\n<\/p>\n
\nThis year\u2019s incoming class not only is the most racially and ethnically diverse in school history\u2014by far\u2014but it\u2019s also the most international ever.\n<\/p>\n
\nTraveling here from countries as far flung as China, Peru, Iraq and England, the 20 new students from abroad represent a 900 percent spike in the past five years.\n<\/p>\n
\nAlso, about 20 percent of first-year students identify themselves as a member of a racial or ethnic minority group. This is 26 percent more than in last year\u2019s incoming class, which was the most diverse until now.\n<\/p>\n
\nThe total number of new students\u2014305 so far\u2014is an average size compared to the past four years. Transylvania\u2019s overall enrollment for the fall term is expected to be 1,075, the largest in the past three years.\n<\/p>\n
\nIn addition to maintaining the size of the class, having a more diverse student body strengthens the teaching and learning environment.\n<\/p>\n
\n\u201cWe\u2019ve been very intentional about trying to increase the population of students of color,\u201d said Brad Goan, vice president for enrollment and dean of admissions. This includes initiatives such as campus visits through the Trailblazers Scholarship program and outreach to community organizations that serve underrepresented students.\n<\/p>\n
\nMuch of the diversity increase comes from a gain in Hispanic students\u201421 this year\u2014which bodes well for the future because it\u2019s a growing demographic.\n<\/p>\n
\nAdditionally, the university\u2019s strategic enrollment plan aims to internationalize the student body. Ten students in the incoming class are from China, where Ingrid Allen, associate director of admissions, and senior Kaiyu Zhang traveled earlier this year as part of the Sister Cities Young Scholars program.\n<\/p>\n
\nTransylvania also is building a relationship with students in Panama through a partnership with the Balboa Academy.\n<\/p>\n
\nThe redoubling of out-of-state recruitment efforts comes at a time when the number of students graduating from Kentucky high schools is declining. Almost 30 percent of Transylvania\u2019s class of 2017 is from outside the state, which makes it one of the most geographically diverse in the past 40 years. These students hail from 19 states including California, Washington, Wisconsin and Texas.\n<\/p>\n
\nThe new class also is tied with last year\u2019s as the most academically talented in school history, with an average ACT score of 27 and an average high school GPA of 3.69. Also, men compose 49 percent of the class, making it the most gender-balanced in 30 years.\n<\/p>\n
\nFirst-year students will arrive on campus Aug. 9 for a three-week innovative August term, and fall term classes for all students begin Sept. 3.\n<\/p>\n
\nInfluencing the shape of these incoming classes, a sophisticated marketing model matches opportunities at the university with individual students and families and targets messages based on biographical and demographic information.\n<\/p>\n
\nTransylvania admissions counselors also promote the message that college in general, and a liberal arts education specifically, is a wise investment. \u201cThe biggest thing is convincing students and parents that college is worth it,\u201d Goan said. \u201cEvery bit of statistical information still suggests that the college experience has value.\u201d\n<\/p>\n
\nAs for liberal arts degrees, they are in demand because employers want workers who can communicate well, deal with change, navigate ambiguity, and analyze and synthesize information. \u201cThose are things that a liberal arts degree prepares students for better than any other training,\u201d Goan said.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
LEXINGTON, Ky.\u2014Transylvania University has bolstered enrollment by reaching out to diverse populations\u2014from its own backyard to across the globe. This year\u2019s incoming class not only is the most racially and ethnically diverse in school history\u2014by far\u2014but it\u2019s also the most international ever. Traveling here from countries as far flung as China, Peru, Iraq and England, the 20 new students from abroad represent a 900 percent spike in the past five years. Also, about 20 percent of first-year students identify themselves as a member of a racial or ethnic minority group. This is 26 percent more than in last year\u2019s incoming class, which was the most diverse until now. The total number of new students\u2014305 so far\u2014is an average size compared to the past four years. Transylvania\u2019s overall enrollment for the fall term is expected to be 1,075, the largest in the past three years. In addition to maintaining the size of the class, having a more diverse student body strengthens the teaching and learning environment. \u201cWe\u2019ve been very intentional about trying to increase the population of students of color,\u201d said Brad Goan, vice president for enrollment and dean of admissions. This includes initiatives such as campus visits through the Trailblazers Scholarship program and outreach to community organizations that serve underrepresented students. Much of the diversity increase comes from a gain in Hispanic students\u201421 this year\u2014which bodes well for the future because it\u2019s a growing demographic. Additionally, the university\u2019s strategic enrollment<\/p>\n