Enrollment at East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania has increased for the third consecutive year according to university officials. ESU\u2019s fall 2016 enrollment is the largest since 2012.<\/p>\n
At the end of the first week of the fall semester there were 6,904 students enrolled including 660 transfer students, 302 new graduate students and 1,356 freshmen.\u00a0 Members of ESU\u2019s class of 2020 represent the largest entering freshman class in five years and an increase of 3.3% over last fall\u2019s class of 2019. Twenty two percent of new and continuing students are out of state residents with the majority from New Jersey and New York.<\/p>\n
\u201cESU is becoming an attractive college choice for students due to the quality and relevance of our academic programs, the continuing efforts to minimize cost increases and the personalized attention available to students from faculty and staff,\u201d said President Marcia G. Welsh, Ph.D.\u00a0\u201cWithout a doubt, ESU is one of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania\u2019s most affordable and best values in higher education.\u201d<\/p>\n
In addition to enrollment growth, ESU\u2019s Honors Program welcomed its largest group of new members since the program\u2019s inception in 1988 according to Professor Paul Creamer, co-Director of the Honors Program. ESU also proudly launched its first doctoral program for the Ed. D. in Educational leadership and Administration. Thus far, the first cohort includes 18 students.<\/p>\n
ESU\u2019s most heavily enrolled majors reflect growing demand in specific job markets, among them business, biology, criminal justice and psychology as well as programs in the health sciences \u2013 exercise science, athletic training and nursing.<\/p>\n
\u201cESU\u2019s enrollment growth reflects the regional need to prepare well trained professionals. One specific example is the aging US population and the emphasis on preventative care. The majors within ESU\u2019s College of Health Sciences are well-suited to provide varied productive career opportunities,\u201d said Shala Davis, Ph.D., interim dean, college of health sciences.<\/p>\n
Yet with enrollment growth there are also challenges. ESU currently houses 3,110 students on its campus, some in overflow housing due to increased demand. ESU sees this as an opportunity and is tackling the obstacle by moving forward with Phase II of its suite-style housing construction, now underway. The new 495-bed residence hall, which complements the design of the University\u2019s Hemlock and Hawthorn suites, is expected to be online in August 2017.<\/p>\n
\u201cOnce the new suite-style facility is online, we\u2019ll be taking some of the traditional residence halls off line, in rotation, for life cycle renovation and technology upgrades,\u201d said Bob Moses, director of residence life and housing at ESU.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is all part of becoming a vibrant and well-respected institution of higher education,\u201d noted President Welsh. \u201cWe have to be methodical and persistent in planning for the future while keeping the welfare of our students foremost in our minds.\u201d<\/p>\n
ESU\u2019s enrollment numbers become final on the 15th<\/sup> day of class, September 19, 2016.<\/p>\n