Montana State University - Billings is hoping that a long list of campus upgrades, new student and faculty scholarships and new leadership will help push the university toward its enrollment goals.
Chancellor Dan Edelman, who joined the university last year, says despite enrollment declines over the past decade.
“Have no doubt. We're set for success. We've made a lot of changes. We've still got more changes to make,” he said.
MSU-B hopes to grow its student population to 6,000 in the next five years. Enrollment across the university’s five colleges was 4,300 last fall.
Vice Chancellor for Administration and Finance Susan Simmers, another recent hire, says facility upgrades will attract new and keep current students. These include networked printers and copiers, a streamlined textbook ordering system and resurfaced parking lots.
“The LA building has WiFi," Simmers said to a round of applause. "I understand this has been in the works for a while so I'm very happy to announce this is completed."
Many of the 100-plus faculty and staff attending the annual fall campus update Thursday were also eager to hear about progress on the Yellowstone Science and Allied Health Building, a $15 million expansion and renovation project set to begin construction later this year. Edelman said a contract has been awarded but couldn’t share more details.
Recruiters are keen to increase MSU-B’s military-affiliated and Native American student populations.
Dawn Githens, hired last year to direct the Military and Veterans Success Center, says her office partners with the Montana VA, Veteran’s Upward Bound, the university’s disabilities support services and others.
“We have so many things that other colleges don't have. I really do want students to see us for military-affiliated students,” says Githens.
This year MSU-B will offer $1,000 Montana Access Scholarships to 200 students. Another $160,000 has been earmarked for faculty professional development and research.
MSU-B will host a University Forum on its strategic planning process on September 23.
