Here's how we increased enrollment at SIU-Carbondale

As a university leader, I constantly monitor higher education enrollment trends at my university and across the state and nation. At Southern Illinois University Carbondale, we recently reported our fall enrollment — and for the second year in a row, it increased. In fact, it is the largest increase for the university in 33 years. This is also the fifth year in a row that first-time, first-year (i.e., freshman) enrollment has risen. The total increase: 69.5% since 2019.

While we do not yet know the official higher education enrollment numbers nationally for this year, the general trend since 2011 has been a decline in overall enrollment at public four-year institutions, and often a larger decline in first-time, first-year enrollment. Given this, we are often asked to explain how we have increased new student enrollment and overall enrollment so much in an environment that is less positive than it was prior to 2011.

There are a few answers to this question. First, SIU Carbondale has focused heavily on local recruitment. The out-migration of students has been a challenge for Illinois universities, so there was an opportunity to focus on strategies to decrease that out-migration, including outreach to local school superintendents, principals and high school counselors, and partnerships with schools and youth organizations. These efforts have worked. We have seen a 10% increase in new students from Illinois.

Second, we have built stronger relationships with community colleges to improve the ease with which students can transition to universities. One such program is SIU Saluki Step Ahead, which allows students from 50 community colleges in Illinois and beyond to complete an SIU degree at an affordable price without leaving their community college location. Since this is a new program, its impact is likely to increase over time.

Third, as with Saluki Step Ahead, we have focused on affordability. This has included reducing the net cost for students through institutional scholarships and record support from the SIU Foundation. In addition, we have expanded the number of students who are eligible for the Saluki Commitment, which offers some students the opportunity to attend college tuition-free. When it started in 2021, it was for students from families with incomes under $63,575 and less than $50,000 in assets, based on the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid form). It is now available for families with incomes under $103,040 and less than $50,000 in assets.

Fourth, it is important to emphasize that the state's increased financial commitment has been critical to our success. While enrollment was declining for Illinois public four-year institutions even prior to the state budget impasse of 2015-2017, those years in particular saw the enrollment decline increase even more rapidly. Students and their families were more reluctant to choose Illinois universities when there was not state support. That has changed in the last few years, as we have received more support, both in direct appropriation and student aid.

So we would be remiss if we did not again thank the legislature and governor’s office for the increased support. It is having a positive impact on SIU Carbondale and our efforts to keep Illinois high school graduates here in Illinois for college.

 Austin Lane, Ph.D., became chancellor of SIU Carbondale on July 1, 2020 and has held various leadership roles in higher education, including president of Texas Southern University

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