CWU identifies positive enrollment trends outlined in 10-day census

As Central Washington University looks to rebuild our enrollment post-pandemic, a number of encouraging trends are emerging after the 10-day census results were released earlier this month.

For the third consecutive year, CWU saw the number of newly enrolled first time in college (FTIC) students increase, welcoming 1,619 students this fall — a 2.4% increase over fall 2023 (1,580) and a 5.5% increase over fall 2021 (1,531).

According to data compiled by the Office of Institutional Effectiveness, Research and Planning (IERP), the number of all newly enrolled undergraduates is down slightly year over year, from 2,632 in fall 2023 to 2,625 this quarter. However, the number of newly enrolled graduate students is at a three-year high of 260, compared to 238 in 2023 — an increase of 8.5% — while newly enrolled post-baccalaureate enrollment is up 13.3%, from 150 to 173 students.

Associate Vice President of Enrollment Management Hung Dang noted that transfer student numbers are down slightly, from 865 to 850, but when all of the 2024 enrollment data are viewed as a whole, many positive signs a beginning to emerge.

“We anticipate this year to be the final wave of transfer students affected by the pandemic years,” he said. “Stronger enrollment growth is expected next fall, as our colleagues in the community college have reported increased enrollment this fall. We also continue to see strong application numbers for new students, resulting in a 3% increase in new freshmen this fall.”

The 10-day census showed that CWU experienced a 3.6% decrease in the overall enrollment of degree-seeking students this fall, from 8,827 in 2023 to 8,509. At the same time, we are continuing to diversify our full-time undergraduate student body, seeing the enrollment of Hispanic students increase from 22% to 24%. Meanwhile, the percentage of students with a federal Pell grant climbed from 38% to 43%.

CWU President Jim Wohlpart explained during his recent State of the University address that we must find new ways to embrace this demographic shift because the future of the state’s economy — and the institution itself — will depend on our ability to approach our work from an entirely new perspective.

“We must continue to live into our vision, mission, values, and strategic plan because they are the pathway to a brighter future and they put students at the center of our work,” Wohlpart said. “As we build our capacity for change, we will better be able to see around the corner to the beckoning future that is awaiting us.”

One of the key ways CWU is planning for the future is by building our résumé to become a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI), a federal designation that requires an enrollment of at least 25% Hispanic/Latinx students, plus two additional criteria.

In an effort to boost the enrollment of Hispanic and Latinx students, CWU has been working closely with a number of community partners over the past year to increase opportunities for students in underrepresented communities like the Yakima and Wenatchee valleys.

Statistics show that Washington state ranks among the lowest in the nation for the rate of high school graduates immediately going to college, and emerging partnerships with organizations such as the Washington Student Achievement Council, the Yakima Valley School District, Educational School District 105, and Yakima Valley College are expected to help reverse this trend.

“We are committed, as a community, to increasing access to postsecondary education and the success of our students who come through our doors — success which will occur through fostering high impact practices, sustainability, and authentic community partnerships that are grounded in meaningful relationships,” Wohlpart said.

Identifying ways to make college more affordable is another priority for CWU as we seek to expand our network of prospective students. The university has implemented parallel initiatives over the past year to increase financial literacy, improve the rate of financial aid applications, provide college credit opportunities to high school students, and engage with more families in traditionally underrepresented communities across the state.

The results of these ongoing efforts will take time to show up in CWU’s annual enrollment figures, but Wohlpart remains confident that we will continue to build positive momentum by focusing on our vision, mission, values, and strategic plan.

Our ultimate goal, he explained, is to increase access to higher education so more people have an opportunity to create economic and social mobility for themselves and their families.

“Our daily work is helping CWU create a community that is building its capacity for learning and growing,” Wohlpart said. “We have made a commitment to change our approach for one single purpose: to provide more students with access to an enriching educational experience that will ensure their personal and professional success.”