Record Enrollment Fulfills Promise on UJ Strategic Plan

University of Jamestown achieved a record enrollment of 1,372 students this fall, surpassing the previous high of 1,290 set four years ago. This 6% increase includes a student body of 953 undergraduate students at the Jamestown campus, with growth both nationally and globally through the expansion of online degree programs.

Jimmies are enrolled from 21 countries and 24 states, working towards degrees in 40 majors.

This success comes during a time when universities nationwide face challenges from demographic shifts, economic factors, and changing perceptions of the value of higher education that continue to shape the landscape.

“Because we addressed these challenges in our strategic plan, we have been successful in not only retaining students but also expanding our degree programs to meet the demands for the most sought-after degrees and career opportunities,” said University President Dr. Polly Peterson.

Now in her 33rd year at the institution and fulfilling her seventh year as president, Peterson’s leadership has provided entrepreneurial growth, equipping the University to meet the needs of its students and prove the worth of higher education.

University of Jamestown’s consistent rankings as one of the best academic institutions in the Midwest by both U.S. News & World Report and Princeton Review underscore UJ’s quality education, which blends the liberal arts with professional preparation and boasts a 99% career placement rate. For the second consecutive year, 100% of nursing graduates passed the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX), a nationwide examination for the licensing of nurses in the United States.

Total enrollment growth has been further supported by the University’s graduate programs and UJ Accelerated, an online upskilling degrees and certificates program. The newest degrees from these programs include a Master of Business Administration (MBA), Direct-Entry Master of Science in Nursing (DEMSN), PhD in Clinical Research, and Doctorate in Leadership.

These programs differentiate themselves in the marketplace by providing students with various career tracks or micro-credentialing for the most in-demand and rewarding careers while staying true to institutional values that blend liberal arts with professional training in an engaged, student-centered, Christian environment.

Dr. Michael Brizek created the online MBA program unique in the educational landscape. “We meet employers’ needs to grow their workforce and make it flexible for degree seekers. The program is 12 months and offers micro-credentialing options including leadership, supply chain and operations management, healthcare, marketing, finance, sports management, or agribusiness,” said Brizek.

He also credits the program’s success to UJ’s ability to build relationships with corporate partners to offer tuition discounts and scholarships. Courses start every eight weeks.

Other additions and improvements to the University’s offerings include the Associate in Science in Nursing (ASN) and Direct-Entry Master of Science in Nursing (DEMSN). These programs do not require any prior healthcare experience and offer paths into high-demand careers.

“These are hybrid programs with courses online, but clinicals and labs are still in-person to maintain the quality of the degree,” said UJ School of Nursing Executive Director and Associate Professor Jennifer Jacobson.

Healthcare partners, including Sanford Health, Jamestown Regional Medical Center, Anne Carlsen Center, and Ave Maria Village, have either enrolled employees or provided opportunities for their staff to advance their careers through educational support.

UJ’s Executive Vice President Dr. Paul Olson credits staff, faculty, and coaches for working through significant changes this past year to prepare for growth and adjustments to the Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) application process.

“We’ve restructured our university departments, adopted new educational platforms to enhance the learning experience, and are making multiple facility expansion projects to both the local and Fargo campuses,” said Olson.

“The next strategic plan outlines continued growth in the performing arts, athletics, facilities, and additional academic programs,” said Dr. Peterson. “At UJ, we start with a ‘yes’ as a mindset to solving today’s challenges. That is the Jimmie way of collaborating with local, national, and international partners. We are grateful for our teams and our dedicated alumni and funding base that help facilitate that vision for the future we provide to our students.”