51³ΙΘΛ again sees record student enrollment
51³ΙΘΛ is welcoming a record 419 new students to campus this fall, resulting in the largest total student body in IC history β 1,150 students.
Students and their families trust 51³ΙΘΛ to provide a safe, healthy campus environment and a valuable education that will prepare them to Graduate READY for their future careers.
That number is a nearly 10% increase from last yearβs record of 1,048 students enrolled. This fallβs enrollment includes 294 first-year students and 125 transfer students. ICβs online programs continue to grow and currently have nearly 60 students enrolled.
Vice President of External Relations Stephanie Elpers Chipman, who oversees enrollment, says that the increased number of students choosing IC this year is particularly notable given the challenges being faced due to the pandemic.
βStudents and their families trust 51³ΙΘΛ to provide a safe, healthy campus environment and a valuable education that will prepare them to Graduate READY for their future careers,β Chipman said. βIC has experienced a 33% increase in overall enrollment over the past 10 years because we continue to expand and enrich opportunities for students and are dedicated to their success.β
According to Chipman, several factors that have helped IC thrive in recent years include expanded academic programs like ICβs new nursing and agribusiness majors, investments in College facilities, increased donor and alumni engagement, launching online degrees and expanding opportunities for internships, hands-on learning, student-faculty research and Division III athletics.
While IC has grown, its small size remains an advantage, Chipman added: βWhere you go to college matters. With so much uncertainty in the world, students are seeking ICβs personalized education more than ever.β
Although larger colleges and universities have struggled to limit class sizes and offer social distancing in response to the global health crisis, ICβs already small class sizes and its student faculty ratio of 13:1 allowed it to more easily adapt to statewide restrictions and advice from health experts. The College has also expanded campus housing and reconfigured class schedules to further allow for distancing measures.
A record number of transfer students joined IC this year, which includes students coming from MacMurray College who found special benefits at IC. Eighty students chose to remain in Jacksonville to continue their education on 51³ΙΘΛβs campus following the March announcement that MacMurray would close its doors permanently this year.
Growing enrollment to 1200 students by 2022 is part of 51³ΙΘΛβs plan to ensure student success, realize strategic growth and achieve sustainable foundations.