Paul Smith's enrollment largest since 1981 - 2010-09-15

PAUL SMITH’S COLLEGE STUDENT BODY LARGEST SINCE 1981
More than 1,000 students enrolled for classes this fall

CONTACT: Kenneth Aaron, Director of Communications
(518) 327-6297 / kaaron@paulsmiths.edu

PAUL SMITHS – More than 1,000 students are enrolled at Paul Smith’s College this fall, the school’s largest student body since 1981.

“We are very excited to welcome all of our new and returning students,” said Dr. John W. Mills, president of Paul Smith’s College. “We’re growing because our programs are in demand, and so are our graduates. We’re experiencing higher enrollment in fields as diverse as environmental science, the culinary arts, hospitality, and natural resources – fields in which our graduates thrive.”

This fall’s enrollment includes 423 new students, a figure that includes first-year and transfer students. That would be among the college’s largest incoming groups since the 1990s and an increase of more than 15 percent over last fall, when 364 new students enrolled.

The enrollment total includes students enrolled at the college’s Accelerated Career Experience program at Adirondack Community College and Finger Lakes Community College. Total enrollment is up 10 percent over last fall, when 915 students enrolled.

In addition to the large incoming class, the number of returning students is up 5 percent over last year. Part of the increase has resulted from a renewed effort to help students who might have otherwise fallen through the cracks: a new, web-based service from Starfish Retention Solutions has bridged the gap between struggling students and the faculty and staff who can help them.

“It’s one thing to build a class, and another to make sure it thrives,” Mills said. “Our investments in student success ensure that we’ll be able to identify those students who would otherwise be at risk of falling into academic trouble and help them before it’s too late.”

ABOUT PAUL SMITH’S COLLEGE

At Paul Smith’s College, it’s about the experience. Our programs, in fields including hospitality, culinary arts, forestry, natural resources, entrepreneurship and the sciences, draw on industries and resources available in our own backyard while preparing students for successful careers anywhere.

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