Central Methodist University is celebrating record enrollment metrics for the third consecutive year. University officials say that preliminary reports show that four CMU enrollment records have been shattered this fall – total enrollment, freshman class size, residential population, and new students.
There are 1,170 traditional undergraduate students enrolled this fall – up two percent; 361 freshmen, up seven percent; 821 students living on campus, up five percent; and a new record of 469 new students.
“The bottom line is we have a great product,” said Dr. Roger Drake CMU President. “Students love the quality of our education, the faculty engagement, and the beautiful campus.”
Besides overall student satisfaction with the product at CMU, Dr. Joe Parisi, Vice President for Enrollment Management, said other big factors in Central’s growth include the Digital U initiative that provides iPads to all Fayette campus students, and the institution’s commitment to safety during the pandemic – investing in COVID-19 testing for all students, ionization air cleaners for buildings, facial recognition software, expanded cleaning, and expanded staffing.
“Adaptability is key right now,” Parisi said. “Not only have we had to adapt over and over again to engineer this class, but our students, faculty and staff are having to adapt constantly. It’s the society we are in now.”
Parisi said Central’s strategic enrollment planning has been well-executed over the past three years, and the institution builds upon the prior year’s success.
“I am so proud of this community and its dedication to our enrollment planning efforts," he stated. "This is a huge #Central Victory!”
Parisi said the numbers will become official with CMU’s census date of October 23.