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April 18, 2006
Hamline demographics expected to change
A current decline in high school graduates in the Midwest is not projected to affect the CLA student population, Associate Vice President of Admissions Steven Bjork said.
“Of course this [decline in Midwest high school graduation] is a concern. It’s a concern for anyone working in my position,” Bjork said. With the shifting demographics, Hamline will need to expand its market and focus on other areas around the country for recruitment, as its potential students in Minnesota will decrease over the next few years. Bjork cited places such as the coastal regions, Colorado and Alaska for Hamline to focus recruitment in.
In a 2005 research newsletter done by the College of St. Benidict and St. John’s University (CSB/SJU), studies reveal that all Midwest and Northeastern states are experiencing a decline in population. In Minnesota alone, the number of high school graduates is predicted to decrease four percent between 2006 and 2016. The nation’s growth is currently focused in the southern states, specifically Arizona, Texas, Colorado, and Georgia.
Each year, Hamline typically receives around 2,000 applications for admission from prospective first-year and transfer students. The majority of these applicants are from Minnesota or other surrounding states. However, with shifting demographics throughout the Midwest region, the university is expected to expand its market of students over the next decade.
Bjork is optimistic and expects that Hamline will be able to maintain its size well.
“The Twin Cities is an amazing environment to live and learn [in],” he said. As the CSB/SJU research newsletter pointed out, the Twin Cities is exempt from projected population decline. In fact, the metro area is expected to grow throughout the next decade. Bjork attributes this to the fact that the Twin Cities remains to be at the heart of much of the Midwest’s activity.
Upon further prediction, Bjork said he anticipates more college graduates in the next decade to be first generation college students, from less wealthy families. This will only add to Hamline’s diversity, or what Bjork refers to as “a very eclectic mix of students.”
Posted by dwright at April 18, 2006 01:03 PM
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