WINONA, Minn. – In an unexpected move to boost sagging enrollment, Winna State has discontinued requiring ACT college exam scores for admission. Many colleges, struggling for enrollment, began dropping ACT and SAT tests as a requirement three years ago, but Scott Olson, president of Winona State, pooh-poohed the trend as contrary to Winona State’s tradition of excellence. Pride, it seems, succumbed to reality as enrollment losses accelerated – down one-third in 10 years. The university executive in charge of recruiting, Denise McDowell, confirmed that Winona State has made admissions testing optional. In other words, there now is one less quality measure to enrolling. A high school diploma remans required.
McDowell. Vice president for enrollment management and student life, since 2015.