Despite changes, NAU expects solid fall enrollment

By Kayla Gahagan, Journal staff | Thursday, July 24, 2008

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It's a little too early to know how recent changes at National American University might play out in fall enrollment numbers, but the new campus director is optimistic.

"The preliminary numbers look pretty darn good," said John Quinn, who is in his first week as director and executive officer of the NAU Rapid City campus. "So far, the numbers are looking better than we anticipated, and quite healthy. ... We're pleasently surprised."

Fall class schedules were sent out last week, and students register for classes through the first part of September, NAU marketing director Tiffany Smith said. Between fall 2007 and spring 2008, the Rapid City campus averages about 400 students. Those numbers drop by about half during the summer.

The university made two major changes last spring by replacing then-president Richard Buckles and dropping its sports programs. Students on the university's volleyball and rodeo teams were shocked to hear the announcement.

Ronald Shape is chief operating officer and chief finance officer for NAU's seven campuses nationwide. He said the changes were in line with what the university's mission is: to focus on nontraditional adult learners, particularly ages 28 to 35.

The mission doesn't exclude traditional learners, Shape said, but the services are driven toward the nontraditional demographic.

It's too early to tell what kind of an effect dropping the sports programs will have because some students on scholarship have not decided whether to return or not.

"We've taken the position that we would honor scholarships through however long those students wanted to stay," he said. "We're finding on a daily basis that some of those students are reassesing and looking at the benefit of the scholarship and the quality of education here."

Quinn said he knows the spring changes have had an effect on the campus community and could affect how many students decide to enroll in the fall.

"We feel that with the inevitability of the changes, it might be more difficult to grow again," he said.

The numbers reported in September will be the starting point for growth, Quinn said.

"That will be the base for what we do," he said. "Our plan is to reinvigorate and renew and, in some cases, reinvent this campus."

In particular, university officials would like to expand the graduate program, in which students can earn a master's degree in business administration or a master's degree in management.

Having a president-like figure on campus should bring energy and stability to campus, Quinn said. He said the title of president at NAU is earned, and it is something he hopes to be called soon.

"What we do think is the appointment of a brand new chief executive probably encourages people," he said. "My background, and that I know so many people in the community, is one thing that will compel the numbers to get better."

Contact Kayla Gahagan at 394-8410 or kayla.gahagan@rapidcityjournal.com