WSU Increases Diversity Student Enrollment Fall 2021
OGDEN, Utah – Following five years of record-breaking graduation numbers, Weber State University’s third-week fall enrollment for 2021 increased slightly to 29,774 students compared to the 2020 enrollment of 29,596.
In addition, the total number of students in Concurrent Enrollment (CE) courses, which award college credit in high school, has increased 6.4% and the number of students who self-identify as Black, Asian, American Indian or Pacific Islander in CE courses has increased 9.8%.
Data from the Utah System of Higher Education shows enrollment at all Utah’s public colleges and universities held steady compared to last year, with a slight net increase. The link will go live on Monday.
“Despite the pressures of an ongoing pandemic, students are still seeking higher education for the long-term benefits it brings,” said Provost Ravi Krovi. “What we are especially pleased about is that not only are students continuing to enroll but our retention rates are also climbing. It’s great to help Wildcats continue through to graduation.”
In the 2020-21 academic year, Weber State awarded 6,445 degrees and certificates, an 11.5% increase from the previous year.
For many Utah students, the path to a college degree begins in high school. With Concurrent Enrollment, students earn college credit for $5 per credit while also fulfilling high school graduation requirements. Weber State offers 794 CE courses in 53 schools across the state to put students on the path to higher education.
Each year, high school students can register for a maximum of 30 CE credits, all of which are taught by faculty who are certified by Weber State. The Utah State Board of Education recommends that CE students have a 3.0 GPA or B grade or better in their CE courses.
Edgar Frias, a 2021 graduate of Ben Lomond High School, is a first-year student at Weber State. He took several CE courses, including English, history and health sciences.
“I really enjoyed taking CE classes from teachers I knew,” Frias said. “The classes were smaller, so the teachers were really hands-on, and it was easier to reach out and ask for help. I had a teacher who would meet with us over Zoom on weekends if we needed it.”
During his senior year, Frias was also able to get a certificate of proficiency in Spanish from WSU, and he is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in radiology. When he graduates, he wants to work in a Utah hospital.
“CE classes helped me prepare for college,” he said. “When the teacher would give us homework, I knew it was giving me an outlook on what college would be like. I really appreciated it.”
Students can choose to earn college credit for a number of General Education courses. “The classes allow students to experience a genuine collegiate-level education and prove to themselves they can excel in college subjects,” said Nicole Butler, Concurrent Enrollment program administrator.
Diogo Nunez-Sanchez, a senior at Weber High, has taken both Concurrent Enrollment and Advanced Placement (AP) classes since his sophomore year, but he prefers CE, which are offered in semester blocks in comparison to the two semesters it takes to complete an AP course.
“Your success in a CE class isn’t determined by one test at the end of the course,” he explained. “You get credit for doing good work throughout the semester.”
Nunez-Sanchez has completed 18 CE credits since his sophomore year and is taking 16 more. He hopes to graduate from Weber High with his associate’s degree and is planning to join the Weber State University class of 2022.
“Weber State is proud of its ability to meet students wherever they are in their educational journey and help them succeed,” Krovi said.
For more information on Weber State Concurrent Enrollment, visit continue.weber.edu/concurrentenrollment/.
Visit weber.edu/wsutoday for more news about Weber State University.
Kennedy Jones, Marketing & Communications
801-626-7948 • kennedyjones1@weber.edu- Contact:
Allison Hess, director of Public Relations
801-626-7948 • ahess@weber.edu