Clarion University enrollment grows

Staff report

CLARION, PA.

Clarion University is kicking off its 150th year with almost 100 new students for a total of 5,256 students, which include undergraduates, transfers and graduate students. It is the first enrollment growth since 2009.

Dr. Todd Pfannestiel, interim provost and vice president for academic affairs, noted that the areas of growth are in professional preparation programs, which include business and health and human services. The four-year nursing program is at capacity for the second-consecutive year, and the doctor of Nursing Practice program has doubled in enrollment. New programs in nutrition and fitness also showed gains.

Clarion’s honors program was maxed out.

“New to the residence life program this year are four “Living Learning Communities,” said Dr. Susanne Fenske, vice president of student affairs. “These communities, located within our residence halls, are designed to allow students with common interests to live together, and 185 students are participating this fall. The students who choose to participate in these communities engage in intentional programming designed toward their common interests.”

The university is already beginning to accept students for fall of 2018.