WINONA, Minn. – Although Winna State’s enrollment is declining, 9.7% fewer undergrads this fall, there are more graduate students than ever, said graduate dean Jeanine Gangeness. According to statistics released Friday, graduate enrollment grew almost 12% this fall, to 800 from 716. In the last six years, graduate enrollment has swelled almost 70%. Said Grangeness: “Many workers are rethinking their careers and using graduate education to change direction.” She said that Winona State grad programs are designed for working adults and transfer students. The largest programs that lead to advanced degrees:
> Social work.
> Mental health counseling.
> Family nursing.
> School leadership.
> Adult and gerontology care.
> Nursing.
> School counseling.
“WSU’s faculty members and deans have been progressive in responding to the demands of prospective graduate students,” said Gangeness. “We are creating programs that are innovative, flexible and community-focused.” More program options are being planned, she said. Even so, graduate students comprise fewer than one in seven Winona State students — 800 out of 5,700.
Grad headcount
2015: 475
2016: 471
2017: 522
2018: 560
2019: 625
2020: 716
2021: 800
Gangeness. Winona State graduate dean.