WINONA, Minn. – The president of Winona State, Scott Olson, believes the university is on the right course for the future despite major enrollment losses. The university’s focus, Olson said, is to maintain standards that will serve students and society long term. “We know we play a critical role meeting the workforce needs of Minnesota communities and employers — nurses, teachers, IT professionals, and all manner of business administration professionals,” said Olson. Enrollment has fallen 2,700 from a 2013 peak of 8,450. This fall enrollment loss was especially severe – 9.7%. Olson faulted some rival colleges for short-term band-aids to downward enrollment trends: “A number of colleges and universities in the Midwest have relaxed admissions standards and abandoned enrollment caps in an attempt to ward off dips in enrollment, he noted “While this approach may solve the temporary enrollment problem it creates a much bigger problem in the long-term,” Olson said.” Winona State instead has opted to maintain admissions standards because we recruit for student success — not for enrollment reporting.”
Olson. In his annual guest dis-jockey schtick at campus radio station KQAL.
Verbatim
Olson: “There’s a reason WSU consistently reports the highest rates of student success among the 37 state colleges and universities in Minnesota. Why our related-employment rate is 98%. Why a degree from WSU provides the largest return on investment of all public colleges and universities in Minnesota. Our reputation is built on a record of student success that far exceeds expectations.”