An increasing number of students are taking summer courses to progress toward earning their degrees, adding up to the highest summer semester enrollment in Kennesaw State University’s history.
KSU’s summer enrollment has grown significantly over the past two years to more than 20,000 students this summer. That marks a 14 percent increase from last year’s summer enrollment and more than a 20 percent rise from just two years ago.
The higher enrollment is a result of Kennesaw State’s expanding its summer course offerings to provide more options for students, combined with targeted marketing efforts promoting the benefits of taking summer classes. After KSU transitioned successfully to remote learning during the spring semester, thousands of students chose to continue that momentum into the summer.
“I am impressed by our students who are enrolled in summer classes, for seeing the current reality of entirely remote learning as an opportunity rather than an obstacle to advance toward their academic goals,” Kennesaw State President Pamela Whitten said. “Summer coursework offers benefits such as easier access to high-demand classes and courses offered in a condensed format. During this summer’s unique circumstances, our faculty have shown their commitment to student success by adapting their courses to remote formats.”
Kennesaw State’s summer enrollment includes more than 17,000 returning students, a 14 percent increase in that category from the 2019 summer. In addition, more than 2,300 new students – incoming freshmen and transfers – are enrolled this summer, a 13 percent jump from a year ago.
Whitten pointed out that, along with enabling students to get ahead or stay on track to graduate, summer coursework can allow students to focus on a specific discipline or degree requirement. She added that although students have not been able to be on campus for classes or activities this summer, they have remained engaged through a number of online efforts by KSU faculty and staff, such as Facebook Live events and the weekly Research with Relevance feature.