Goshen College new student numbers rise with local and Latino growth

The number of new Goshen College students showed an overall increase by 21 percent over last year, and for the second year in a row, GC’s first-year class is the most diverse in history, with 40 percent of traditional students identifying as non-white. Students from Elkhart County made up 47 percent of the incoming class, compared to 31 percent last year.

The total number of new traditional undergraduate students on campus this fall is 225, including first-year and students who are either transfer students, were readmitted or have returned for a second undergraduate degree.

Enrollment of Hispanic/Latino students continued to grow, with 30 percent of incoming first-year students identifying as Hispanic/Latino, bringing the overall percentage of Hispanic/Latino full-time traditional undergraduate students on campus to 18 percent, a number that has doubled in the last six years.

“We are excited to again welcome a diverse, vibrant and top-notch class of new students as we continue toward our goal of growing Goshen,” said Goshen College President Jim Brenneman. “I look forward to watching our students rise to the challenges we provide as they seek new opportunities in this Christian liberal arts context.”

Goshen College enrollment figures show a total head count of 839 full or part time students, with numbers showing increases in incoming first-year students and adult and continuing studies undergraduates, as well as greater diversity and retention.

The Fall 2015 overall enrollment remains steady compared to last fall’s 843 students. Of the total headcount this year, there are 773 students enrolled (full or part time) in undergraduate programs and 66 students enrolled in one of the college’s four graduate programs — a Master of Science degree in Nursing, a Master of Education degree in Environmental Education, a Master of Arts in Intercultural Leadership and the Collaborate MBA program.

The college also experienced enrollment growth in the adult and continuing studies programs, with 101 students (compared to 79 last year) in the college’s adult degree completion and accelerated programs. Students pursuing master’s degrees in one of Goshen’s four graduate programs — Nursing (Family Nurse Practitioner), Environmental Education, Intercultural Leadership and the new Collaborative MBA – decreased slightly from 68 students last year to 66 students this year.

Retention – a key measure of student satisfaction – continues to be stable and very strong at Goshen College. The latest figures show that 78 percent of the 2014-15 first-year students are enrolled this fall, a slight increase from last year’s rate of 77 percent.

“We look forward to building on this momentum as we turn our focus to recruiting the next incoming class,” said Scott Barge, vice president of enrollment management and marketing. “We’re engaging in a variety of new strategies to share GC’s excellent academics, strong outcomes and affordability with even more prospective students who are seeking a Christian liberal arts education that values passionate learning, compassionate peacemaking, servant leadership and global citizenship.”