New Mexico Highlands University sees 59% increase in enrollment

LAS VEGAS, NM (KRQE) — More evidence people are returning to college post-COVID. After a large enrollment drop in recent years, New Mexico Highlands University is seeing a 59 percent increase.

That means 96 more corporate bodies, which doesn’t sound like a lot, but for the small university it is. They’re also seeing an 89 percent increase in their online courses. The university is doing its best to accommodate the growth and is working to add new programs.

“We are considering adding new care programs. We know there is a shortage of healthcare providers in rural and northern New Mexico,” said Theresa Law, Executive Vice President of Student & Donor Engagement.

During the enrollment decline, the university had to repurpose its dormitories and use them to accommodate guests or other campus activities. “Hopefully we can bring more of this online and do some of the maintenance that has accumulated over the years and modernize it, some of our dorms are now several decades old,” Law said. “We can offer new things, like more on-campus life initiatives, more academic programs, more student services, especially at-risk students.”

Law said they are always looking for new ways to continue growing the student body. Currently, 85 percent of her students are from New Mexico.

The university has also seen an increase in international students. They have 20 more this year than last year.

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