FLORENCE – The University of North Alabama has once again set an enrollment record for an academic term.
Officials estimate that once all registrations are finalized, about 10,600 students will be taking classes at UNA this fall.
“There are so many great things going on at the University of North Alabama, and that includes our fall enrollment,” said President Dr. Ken Kitts. “Our growth is sustained, it’s impressive, and it reflects the outstanding work by individuals and departments across campus who continue to share the message that UNA is an exceptional place to get an education.
“Students of all ages, from undergraduate to doctoral, are listening and responding. It’s a great time to be a Lion.”
The student population includes traditional, campus-based learners as well as online students, Early College students, and degree-seekers in UNA’s international programs, according to Julie Taylor, assistant vice president for Enrollment Management.
“At UNA, we are seeing great balance in our enrollment patterns, which supports the good work that is being done on campus with regards to retention,” she said. “We find our students thoroughly enjoy their UNA experience and want to complete their coursework with us. We anticipate having our highest retention rate on record for this fall.”
The increase in retention means a greater number of UNA students who enroll as first-year students are choosing to remain at the university. Nationally, the retention rate is used as a key measure of student satisfaction. Additional evidence of the university’s appeal for students comes from Housing and Residence Life, where a record number of students have opted for campus housing to get the full benefit of the UNA experience.
“The (Delores and Weldon) Cole Honors College is another part of the equation for our success with retention,” Taylor said. “UNA is recruiting and retaining high-caliber students who not only want to complete their bachelor’s degree, they also want to be involved on campus and explore the many opportunities available to them here. It’s why they choose to stay. It builds the community, and the students build relationships and create opportunities for their future.”
Connecting with families
With the launch of UNA’s Family Portal, parents of current and prospective students can keep up-to-date with their students’ life on campus.
The Family Portal is a personalized one-stop shop for information about the university that also includes important deadlines and dates as well as campus resources.
“UNA is entrusted to be a partner with families in their student’s experience, and our new initiative is based on research of top national trends in family engagement,” said Dr. K.C. White, vice president for Student Affairs. “More than 300 institutions have used this resource and have found that having a communications plan that sends timely, informative content to families on a regular basis aids in having the knowledge of resources, activities, and services to support students.”
The start of the academic year brings new information, which can feel overwhelming, especially to first-year students. White said the portal provides details and insights that are valuable to family members who want to help their students succeed.
Martina Winston, a parent of first-year student Jada, said the portal is proving to be a valuable resource as she gets and stays connected with the university.
“I’ve loved learning about the upcoming events and activities to keep students active and engaged,” she said. “It definitely helps to provide parents with a sense of comfort knowing that the university has options for students to meet new friends and get plugged in.
“As a very involved parent in the past, the parent portal keeps my mind at ease knowing that the university has taken a proactive approach to help keep parents connected, and I love that.”
Family members/guardians of enrolled and prospective UNA students can get involved in a variety of online communities based on their and their students’ needs. The portal can be joined at UNA Family Engagement.
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