SAU enrollment is at an all-time high

by: erin tiesman
Staff Writer

Enrollment at St. Ambrose University is the highest it has ever been at 3,263 students enrolled as of fall 2005.  

Jamie Loftus, vice president of enrollment and student services, is very excited for the jump in numbers.

“It’s a very exciting accomplishment for me and I believe most of the campus,” he said. “There has been a 30 percent increase in enrollment over the past 10 years.”

Loftus credits many different aspects to the increase in students, such as advertising, professional and graduate studies, and the Internet.

“It’s been a focused effort to attract many students from the Iowa and Illinois regions,” Loftus said. “We have had a definite outreach through advertising, campaigns and the Internet.”

Many imaging strategies have gone underway to attract students with not only by television, but billboards and the Internet.

“Our website has improved dramatically.  We offer students (the ability to) research the opportunities and successes of our campus,” Loftus said.

New attractions of graduate and professional programs have also been the biggest asset in the increased enrollment.  Programs in the nursing and teaching fields are just a couple of the many opportunities for adult students. Also included in professional studies are establishments such as Genesis Health Systems and the Rock Island Arsenal, which Loftus said offers masters degrees in organizational leadership and business administration.

“The attraction of Genesis and the Arsenal has benefited in the opportunity and success of both parties involved – the businesses and St. Ambrose,” said Loftus.

“As a growing university, we are constantly aware to not overextend the faculty,” he said. “We cannot expand our campus without the support of our biggest asset.  The faculty is the essence of who we are and we cannot compromise their needs. We must make sure we are meeting the demands of the classroom and the students needed to succeed.”

Loftus explained that there are many demands in the higher education market and keeping those demands satisfied is what SAU has accomplished to keep the enrollment growing.

“We will probably stay where we are for advertising and campaigns,” Loftus said. “I think the biggest attraction to bring in new first-year students are campus visits.  You only know if you have a good fit with St. Ambrose if you visit the campus, meet the faculty and talk with fellow students.”

First-year students generally find the information they are looking for through the Internet, which Loftus credits much help in both enrollment and student retention.

“We want to focus our attention on enriching education and the lives of our students,” he said. “We want to maintain a good competition in the college market and we can do that by spreading the word of our education, name and successes out front.”