McNeese State University had the largest increase in 2009 fall enrollment of the University of Louisiana System schools reporting enrollment.

McNeese has more early admission students, freshmen and graduate students this fall as 8,645 students are attending McNeese compared to 8,294 last fall. This is an increase of 351 students, or a 4.2 percent increase.

Seventy percent of this enrollment, or 6,066 students, comes from the five-parish area of Allen, Beauregard, Calcasieu, Cameron and Jeff Davis parishes.

McNeese’s enrollment growth can be contributed to several factors, according to McNeese President Dr. Robert Hebert.

There is a 21.2 percent increase in early admissions students this fall, which includes 486 high school students who are academically qualified to take freshman-level college courses in such areas as English, history, math, engineering, nursing and psychology. Students from 33 high schools in a six-parish area are now participating in dual enrollment classes for which college credit and high school Carnegie unit credit are earned.

“The dual enrollment program continues to grow in both enrollment and course offerings and a high percentage of these high school students enroll full time at McNeese after their high school graduation,” Hebert said.

Also, the McNeese CALL, or Center for Adult Learning in Louisiana, program offers a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice that provides accelerated course work and utilizes online course delivery.

“The CALL program is designed to attract those students interested in pursuing their degree on a flexible schedule,” said Hebert. “The first year of this program was very successful with a 23 percent increase in fall to spring enrollment and a retention rate of 83 percent. We’re looking to add additional McNeese degrees to this statewide initiative.”

Freshman enrollment numbers are up by 142 students, a 5.7 percent increase from 2008, and the retention rate of freshman students is 74 percent, a slight increase from 73 percent last year.

Hebert said the level of preparation for college courses is most evident in the ACT scores of the students choosing McNeese. Since implementing admission standards in 2000, McNeese’s entering freshmen ACT scores have risen to 20.6, just above the state average of 20.3. The national average was 21.1.

“Last fall we also implemented the Freshman Foundations program to help ease the transition of first-time, first-year students into the university and help them understand the commitment needed to earn a college degree,” said Hebert. McNeese’s Writing Center has also played an important role in working with students to ensure success in the classroom.

“By developing initiatives such as these to encourage student success, we are improving the graduation and retention rates at the university,” said Hebert. “Higher retention rates show that students are successfully completing their college courses and that McNeese is meeting their expectations.”

Hebert said McNeese is committed to producing quality graduates that meet the critical employment needs in health care, the educational systems and the chemical and petrochemical plants and industries of the state as well as Southwest Louisiana.

“The colleges of education, engineering and engineering technology, and nursing experienced overall growth in undergraduate enrollment this semester, which shows our commitment to enhancing both Louisiana and our region’s work force,” said Hebert. The colleges of liberal arts and science experienced growth as well, with the college of liberal arts gaining the largest number of undergraduate majors.

The Doré School of Graduate Studies showed a 9.7 percent increase in students. The Burton College of Education gained the largest number of graduate majors, while the college of science gained the largest percentage increase.

“For 70 years, Southwest Louisiana has relied on McNeese to provide an educated and well-prepared work force,” said Hebert. “McNeese State University is a major force in improving the quality of life and the economy of Southwest Louisiana.”