By Caleb Callaway | It is no secret that enrollment is down at HPU. From empty seats in classrooms to open parking spots, the campus environment has been affected. What some might not realize is that enrollment is as much of a concern to students as it is to faculty and staff.
Students, faculty, and staff from different campus departments were asked to weigh in on how they believe enrollment could be increased at HPU.
Both students and faculty proposed that a focus on interpersonal connections could be key to increasing in enrollment.
Rishona Raub, a freshman majoring in the Guy D. Newman Honors Academy, strategic communication, and social work, shared that she thinks “more overall awareness is needed. If more people knew about Howard Payne, enrollment would go up. HPU recruiters could go to more schools and college fairs to share about our university,” Raub said.
Cassia Rose, a HPU admissions counselor and HPU alumna said that recruiting is all about the people.
“If I were in charge of increasing enrollment, it would be more about the people than anything we could do with money. We could get faculty, staff, and students to understand that we are all recruiters. We all have a responsibility to make people feel welcome to help them see that they could be a good fit at Howard Payne University. It is our collective responsibility to see to the growth and development of the University that blesses us so much so that it can bless others for years to come,” explained Rose.
Jill Underwood, instructor of education, said that she believes that students also need to connect with the community.
“I believe that offering more activities in the community and encouraging more community involvement would increase enrollment. In addition, we should also emphasize the great connection between students and professors that we already have,” she added.
However, this focus on interpersonal connections extends far beyond the recruitment process. Many thought that giving current students more options for entertainment and interaction would increase appeal to potential students.
Instructor of Psychology Jim Wunderle, pointed out that facilities need upgrading.
“I would renovate the dorms completely. I would either build an entirely new auditorium or update the sound system in Mims. I would also hire a professional to mix all the sound. Adding some electronic percussion would help, in addition to at least two, possibly three contemporary keyboards, in-ear monitor systems, and a way to have backing tracks and click track. I would purchase some comprehensive percussion equipment,” he said.
Instructor of communication Richelle Hair said that students needs place where they can spend time together in a meaningful way.
“I would work to improve facilities on campus that are directly related to the student experience. For example, upgraded dorms and a multipurpose sports complex,” she said.
Student athletes, in particular, are also a significant part of Howard Payne culture. According to the Office of Admissions and the HPU Athletic Department, student athletes comprise a large percentage of enrolled students. Therefore, their voice on the matter of enrollment is of high significance.
Xavier Haines, senior baseball, Christian education and history major thinks that athletics facilities are important.
“I think that we should make an indoor athletic complex that would include an expanded weight room and indoor practice space,” he said.
Haines added that students need somewhere to hang out on the weekends, like having an outside restaurant on campus that would give students more on-campus options.
Freshman baseball player and accounting major, Jeramy Dodson, joined the conversation by sharing, “I believe that student athlete enrollment would be increased by building upon the winning seasons that multiple HPU teams have had in the past few years. A winning culture is being built and it will be encouraging for prospective students to see that.”
HPU is fortunate to have students and employees who are genuinely concerned with the success of their school. With a continued focus on increasing enrollment, these opinions are important to acknowledge.
The future of HPU is still bright and an energized and empowered student body, faculty, staff, and administration are what will keep it going strong.