WDT sets another enrollment record
Western Dakota Tech has enrolled a record number of students for the second straight year.
More employed students seeking additional training, WDT becoming the choice for career-related education, and the nation’s economic downturn have contributed to the record enrollment for the fall semester.
WDT set enrollment records in three areas:
- Total number of students: 1,177, a 2.2 percent increase from fall 2009
- Credit hours taken: 18,013.5, a 1.7 percent increase from fall 2009
- Full-time equivalent enrollment: 1,200.9, a 1.7 percent increase from fall 2009
“This is an exciting time for WDT,” President Dr. Craig Bailey said. “These enrollment figures show that students value the skills and experience a WDT education provides.”
During the past year, the nation’s economic troubles contributed to WDT’s enrollment surge. WDT has also seen an increase in the number of employed students who are seeking additional training and education.
“Many people—even those who haven’t lost their jobs during the recession—are realizing that you can never stop learning, that you need to constantly increase your skills so you can insulate yourself from economic downturns,” Bailey said.
A recent national study verifies the importance of education. The American Association of State Colleges and Universities found that Americans with an Associate’s degree were unemployed at a rate almost two percentage points lower than the national average.
To handle the student increase, WDT added additional class sections and turned some offices into classrooms. At the same time, WDT continues planning a $13 million campus construction project. WDT will break ground this year and plans to move into the new building for the fall 2012 semester.
“This expansion will provide additional lab and classroom space that will allow WDT to provide education and training to even more students,” Bailey said.
The additional space is needed. Some WDT programs already have students enrolled for the spring and fall 2011 semesters.
“Going into the semester, we scrambled to make sure we had space so we could provide education and training to every person who wanted it,” Bailey said. “We did not want to turn anyone away.”
WDT has seen enrollment increases in almost every program. WDT’s newest program, Medical Assistant, also experienced a strong start.
“Access to education changes lives, and we are proud these students chose WDT to reach their goals,” Bailey said. “We are committed to not letting them down. We will continue to work hard to make sure we are providing quality programs so these students can reach their goals and achieve their dreams.”
Western Dakota Tech is the only technical institute that serves the western South Dakota region. WDT offers more than 20 programs in a variety of fields, including Business and Computers, Construction Trades, Health Services,Legal and Public Services, Manufacturing and Mechanical Trades, and Science and Technology. More than 94 percent of WDT graduates are placed in careers within six months of graduation, and more than 82 percent live and work in South Dakota.
WDT faculty, staff, and administration focus their efforts on helping students gain the skills and experiences they need to succeed. Through hands-on learning, internships, and industry partnerships, WDT students graduate ready to make a real and immediate contribution to their employers and to their communities.
For information about WDT, contact WDT at (800) 544-8765, (605) 718-2400, or admissions@wdt.edu. Visit WDT on the web at www.wdt.edu.