VINCENNES, Ind. - Vincennes University continues to promote the value of higher education for all, and the University has increased enrollment in the Distance Education Program and at the VU Jasper campus.

Enrollment numbers for the 2020 Fall Semester were reported during a call-in meeting of the Board of Trustees on Aug. 26. 

Senior Director of External Relations Sarah Fortune reported enrollment at the VU Jasper campus with 529 students, a 15-percent increase from last fall. Additionally, Distance Education experienced a two percent increase in enrollment to 590 students. The numbers were calculated as of the first day of classes.

The enrollment increases can be credited to new enrollment, inventive partnerships, along with significant developments in admissions, marketing, and communications.

Defying national trends, University-wide enrollment decreased only by four percent, much lower than the national average of between 10 and 30 percent for two-year schools. 

“When we compare that to what we are seeing nationally, we are doing fairly well,” Fortune said.

Faculty, staff, and students at VU Jasper entered the 2020 Fall Semester with increased enrollment and enthusiasm about commemorating its 50th anniversary in the 2020-21 academic year.

Assistant Vice President and VU Jasper Dean Christian Blome presented a report detailing growth, innovation, and a 50th-anniversary celebration at VU Jasper. He shined the spotlight on its many partnerships, including its collaboration with the Patoka Valley Career and Technical Education Cooperative. He also delivered news of two brand new programs that will provide paid internships to business and information technology students and will create a pipeline of employees to help fill production needs in manufacturing.

“Partnerships will continue to be central to our future growth as we look at offering new programs and training all tied to relevant local pathways,” Blome said. “From the beginning of the Jasper campus, innovative course delivery formats have been at the front of what we do with our block scheduling that allows students to more easily balance their work-life schedules around school to the now booming work-learn format which was really pioneered by nursing through their embedded clinical experiences.”

Throughout the University system, VU has been successful in creating business and industry partnerships as well as providing quality graduates to fill in-demand workforce needs.

VU is partnered with a global powerhouse. Vice President of Workforce Development/Community Services David Tucker reported during the Board meeting on the partnership and its two training and apprenticeship programs.

“They knew VU’s strength in education and training around automation,” Tucker said. “They also knew the experience we have around apprenticeships and it made sense from them to partner with us.”

In other business, 

• President Chuck Johnson provided updates on the extensive efforts and safety precautions VU has put in place to protect students, faculty, and staff during the COVID-19 pandemic. He shared specific details about several measures, including the Trailblazer Promise, contact tracing protocols, and the launch of a coronavirus dashboard. The dashboard will show active cases that have been reported for the Vincennes campus, Jasper campus, and Aviation Technology Center. It will be updated twice weekly, on Tuesdays and Fridays, and will report totals for students and employees. Positive cases at other sites will continue to be monitored, but will not be reported through the dashboard. 
• VU’s enhanced focus on diversity and inclusion was also shared. Provost and Vice President of Instructional Services/Dean of Faculty Dr. Laura Treanor recently sponsored a special professional development session by Dr. Shaun Harper, who presented “A Conversation about Race and Equity”. Harper is the University of Southern California Race and Equity Center Executive Director. Johnson stressed VU’s commitment to making sure VU is providing the greatest possible access and outcomes for all the populations the University serves.
• Johnson and Board of Trustees Chair John Stachura expressed gratitude to Dartanyan Abney of Walton, Ind. Abney served his final meeting as a student trustee. His term expires in October.

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