Mars Hill University Continues to Buck National Enrollment Trends

John W. Dysart
President
The Dysart Group, Inc.

Enrollment growth continues at Mars Hill University in North Carolina despite troubling demographic trends, economic uncertainty and new questions about the value of a college education.

The enrollment team of Dr. Craig Goforth, Assistant Vice President for Student Enrollment Services, Kristie Vance, Director of Admissions, Alan Young, Supervisor of Marketing and Admissions, and Nicole Buckner, Director of Financial Aid have implemented significant changes over the last three years that have resulted in transformational growth. So many exciting things are happening.

• Traditional student enrollment has reached another high. Fall 2013 enrollment has increased by nearly 7% from the 30-year record enrollment achieved last year. Since 2010 enrollment has soared by 28%.
• Total enrollment including adult and graduate students now stands at 1,459!
• The school has finally made the transition from a college to a university. The new status was announced in August.
• The University has increased geographic diversity as 36% of students are out of state and another 4% are international.
• Two brand new residence halls were opened this Fall and they will be filled immediately.

So many enhancements have been introduced under the guidance of the President, Dr. Dan Lunsford, especially over the past three years. Product improvements attract more students and enrolling more students creates the revenue necessary for investment back into offerings that directly benefit students.