WDT eyes changes to recruitment process to raise enrollment - KOTA Territory News

WDT eyes changes to recruitment process to raise enrollment

After seeing a drop in enrollment last year, Western Dakota Technical Institute is changing things up to attract more students.
 
WDT president Mark Wilson said most of what they're doing is shifting people already employed by the school into recruitment roles.

That's to ensure enrollment starts to grow consistently, not to stop a downward slide.

Last year's drop resulted from an abnormally large graduating class the year before.

So last year's numbers were down, but it was still one of their five-biggest enrollments in their 40-year history.
 
"We are going to be working on a better partnership with economic development" to improve enrollment numbers, Wilson said. "And as companies come into the community, we really want to have an open door policy."
 
Wilson also thinks the new 60,000-square-foot addition to the campus will attract more prospective students.

The expansion, clocking in at $12.5 million, will include new lab space, as well as streamlined student services.
 
WDT plans to open the addition just in time for the fall semester.