First-time Enrollment up 11% at Rose State College Published August 23, 2016

College Programs Growing Across Campus

It is the first day of classes at Rose State College in Midwest City and enrollment is up 11-percent for first-time students, those coming out of high-school into college. This marks an increase of more than 200 students over this time last year and the largest first-time full-time year the college has had since 1982. New programs such as Emergency Management and a growing Engineering division are to be credited for the increase in addition to the collegiate sports offered such as men’s and women’s soccer, baseball and softball.

Rose State’s cyber program is growing by leaps and bounds with the number of Cyber/Digital Forensics majors now up to 214. A 10-percent increase in declared majors in this specific category over the fall of 2015 when 194 students claimed it as their major.

Overall, the Rose State campus enrollment is up 6-percent with nearly four-hundred more students starting classes this fall than the same time in the fall of 2015. Those numbers include adult, on-line and traditional students who are taking advantage of the offerings this fall.

President Jeanie Webb is thrilled with the enrollment increase and said, “Word is out that Rose State is the place to be regardless of where you live across the state. We’ve got the four year experience as well as a top-notch education and robust student life no matter where you are in life, traditional, adult student or online learner.”

Latricia “Penny” Wilson came back to Rose State for a second degree. “I originally thought I would work in criminal justice but ten years of military healthcare experience helped shape a new goal for me,” said Latricia. “Rose State made going back to school a simple process. I’m on my way to my goal of becoming a dietician.”

One new student enjoying the Rose State experience is Jackson Slayter from Enid, Oklahoma. Jackson had narrowed his college decision down to three schools based on his engineering major and soccer. After visiting each campus, Rose State College was the clear standout for him. Jackson said he chose Rose State because, “it’s more up-to-date and the students are more engaged with each other than at the other colleges I visited.” He added, “President Webb sets a high standard. It seems like I can’t walk across campus without seeing her talking with students or supporting us at one of our games.”

Rose State College’s concurrent enrollment has also increased this past year. 443 students are enrolled this fall, an uptick from the 373 students who were enrolled in the fall of 2015. Rose State College provides opportunities for students to get a head start on college by earning college credit while still in high school.  Rose State’s concurrent reach goes from Holdenville to Perry, Oklahoma.

In addition to the 11% increase in first-time students for fall 2016, Rose State also experienced an overall increase of 7.5% in the summer term.