Big Sky Times

MSU BILLINGS NEWS—Montana State University Billings sees major boosts in Native American and veteran and military affiliated student enrollment this spring 2023 semester. Programs in finance, computer programming and application development, athletic training, and psychology also saw significant enrollment jumps. Dual enrollment continues to skyrocket, logging the all-time highest enrollment in MSUB’s history and within the state. 

MSUB’s Native American student enrollment is up 13.7 percent compared to spring 2022 semester, largely due to a 19 percentage point increase in student retention. MSUB’s Native American Achievement Center is dedicated to Native American student success and has ramped up efforts to recruit, retain, and engage students. Last fall, the Native American Achievement Center, along with New Student Specialists, conducted numerous tribal school visits to grow relationships and cultivate a sense of belonging with prospective and incoming Native American students. 

The Native American Achievement Center is also very active in the community, and partners with tribal schools on a regular basis on initiatives such as hosting Read for Peace Day at Crow Agency, showcasing tribal art and culture through programming, and hosting the annual MSUB Powwow, slated for April 21 and 22 this year, which is open to the public. MSUB also formed partnerships with Fort Peck Community College and Chief Dull Knife College last year, which allows their graduates with certain associate degrees to seamlessly transfer to MSUB to complete a bachelor’s degree.

Veteran and military affiliated student enrollment grew 22 percent compared to spring 2022, and the number of students receiving military benefits jumped 40 percent. MSUB’s Military and Veterans Success Center has strengthened their program and boosted their representation at military events and in the community. By housing the Montana Veterans Affairs office on MSUB’s university campus, students are able to align their benefits in one location. The culmination of these efforts has led to a year-over-year increase in retention of 11.1% for veteran and military affiliated students.  

MSUB’s dual enrollment program, specifically high school connections, saw the highest enrollment increase in MSUB’s history, with nearly 10 percent growth over last spring. Dual enrollment offers Montana high school students the opportunity to earn high school and college credit at the same time through approved classes. MSUB offers dual enrollment courses at 16 partner high schools in Billings and surrounding counties. Students from more distant areas of the state can take advantage of online classes. The first two dual enrollment classes (or up to six credits) are at no cost to eligible students and subsequent classes cost $53.05 per credit hour, making it an affordable option for many to complete college courses while still in high school. 

MSUB increased student retention through intentional strategies and initiatives set by a comprehensive retention plan, which establishes institutional retention targets. MSUB has consistently met or exceeded these targets, including a 2.1 percentage point increase in retention for all new students who started in fall 2022. Some of MSUB’s retention initiatives include: increasing the number of classes offered online and via HyFlex, which gives students the choice to attend classes both in-person and/or online; the launch of EAB Navigate last summer, which is a student success platform that streamlines communication between faculty, students, staff, and advisors to ensure the appropriate interventions are deployed when or if needed; the Montana 10 program, a Montana University System scholarship program offering students academic, social, and financial support. Of these students, 82.4 percent were retained, and 12 new students joined the program this spring. The ‘Jacket Mentors Program which launched last fall supports first-time, full-time freshmen to ensure they have a strong start to their college journey. These intentional efforts increased retention for first-generation students (5%), Pell-eligible students (7.3%), and non-traditional students (4.2%). 

“I am extremely proud of the work our faculty and staff have done to move our retention initiatives forward,” said MSUB Chancellor Stefani Hicswa. “We have already seen such a difference in our student retention this past year, and it is extremely rewarding to know that more of our students are on track to complete their college degree."

Additional highlights from MSUB’s spring 2023 enrollment include:

• Athletic Training 3+2 program (includes a combined bachelor’s and master’s program) enrollment increased 75%.
• Bachelor of Business, Finance option enrollment increased 29%.
• Computer Programming and Application Development program enrollment increased 58%.
• Cybersecurity/Network Support program enrollment increased 67%.
• Master of Clinical Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling program increased 18%.
• Male undergraduate student enrollment increased 9%.
• Psychology undergraduate and graduate program enrollment increased overall 13%.
• Enrollment for new nontraditional freshman students, which are students who have been out of high school three or more years, increased 111%.

View the spring 2023 MSUB census report online.

On March 16, students can spend the day learning more about MSUB’s programs, admission process, tour university and City College campuses, and meet faculty and staff. 

Sign up for Preview Day.

Original source can be found here.