UNM-LA Census Shows Increase in Fall Enrollment

LOS ALAMOS, NM, September 17, 2014—Bucking a statewide decline, the University of New Mexico-Los Alamos (UNM-LA) recorded a significant increase in its unofficial census numbers after the first 21 days of the fall semester. Fall 2014 totaled 870 students, an increase of 14% over the same period in 2013.

UNM-LA students are taking a total of 5,515 credit hours, which is a 4.2% increase from fall 2013 and a 21% increase from fall 2012.

“With fall enrollment numbers down at virtually every other campus in New Mexico,” said UNM-LA CEO, Dr. Wynn Goering, “we see clearly how successful UNM-LA has been in providing a product that’s attractive to students.”

Enrollment in online courses constituted the largest segment of UNM-LA’s growth, with over half of UNM-LA students now taking online coursework. “Our students work, many commute, and they’re tech savvy—in short, the perfect match for online delivery!” Goering observed. “Our faculty get the credit for recognizing this and aggressively meeting that demand.” The campus is running well ahead of the national figure of 9.3 percent, according to a 2012 report Changing Course: Ten Years of Tracking Online Education in the United States.

The number of UNM-LA students seeking associate degrees increased by 10%, and non-degree student enrollment is up 4%. Over 300 bachelor’s degree students at UNM’s main campus also took advantage of UNM-LA’s online offerings.

One area that is unchanged is the way UNM-Los Alamos continues to mirror northern New Mexico. The student demographic at UNM-LA is 392 males and 478 females. There are 404 students that identify themselves as Hispanic, followed by 361 Caucasian, 39 Native American, 21 Asian, and 12 African American.

Looking to the future, Goering stresses that the way courses are delivered is only one measure of success. “At the end of the day it’s always about the quality of education we provide. We are absolutely focused on having the best science and technology programs in the region, with all that it implies in terms of facilities, personnel, and delivery. If we do that, good things will continue to happen.”

The official census numbers will be released in December once the semester has concluded.