Author: Houghton STAR

Enrollment at Houghton is continuing  to trend upward, despite previous year’s lows. Ryan Spear, Director of Admissions, has seen a growth in first year student enrollment, with this year’s enrollment at  the highest it has been since 2011.  The college welcomed 300 new students this fall, 244 of which are first year students.  Currently Houghton’s total enrollment stands at 1,028.

Senior Clara Robertson believes this is based on the new addition to the school, “I transferred to Houghton in 2013. There were about fifty fewer students enrolled than this year’s incoming class,” she said. “I’m sure a lot of it must have to do with K-PAC (Kerr-Pegula Athletic Complex).  As Houghton’s athletic programs and facilities continue to improve, I think the school will attract a wider range of students.”

“Compared to recent years, the international student population is the highest it has been,” said Spear. “Not including Canadian students, there are eighteen new international students living on campus, compared to nine two years ago.”

Seemingly because of the currency exchange rate, the college has seen a decline in Canadian students.  “The dollar continues to go and the Canadians are being punished,” stated Eric Currie, Vice President for Enrollment Management. Currie also said the college is looking to to recognize the financial situation, and work out some opportunities for next year’s enrollment.

Spear went  on to say, “If someone is saying they want to be at Houghton, we are going to do everything in our power to make that happen.” Currie said Houghton falls within the national average range of offering a 52% discount rate to students and said, “With students, it’s all about the final price.  What am I going to have to take in loans and pay out of pocket?”

According to Spear, Houghton is constantly  working on new strategies to bring in prospective students.  For example, this year they are using technology to connect with students and make them aware of opportunities.  A recent visit email sent to 14,000 people noted that  84% of those people opened the email on a mobile device.

In addition to technology, the Common Application is another way prospective students to learn about Houghton. “One way for international recruiters and schools to learn about Houghton is through the Common Application. This app gives Houghton credibility to these people who generally don’t know that Houghton exists,” said Spear.

On the print side of things, the college is focusing on making a good first impression to potential students.  They are making sure that the eye-catching materials they provide really provide a full picture of what  Houghton is and what the college values.

Spear went on to say, “We have a beautiful campus and we’re one of the safest colleges in the nation. Nearly everything that goes out of Houghton has the message of value.  Everybody gets a personalized acceptance letter. It’s a labor of love, not just a gimmick.”

When it comes to visit days, the “Highlander Preview Day” is among the most popular for prospective students.  According to Betsy Rutledge, Assistant Director of Admission Events, the average Highlander Preview Day normally averages 30-40 students and their families, but this year they are currently anticipating 200 students and their families.  Rutledge said, “This needs to be a campus-wide to ensure the best visit experience possible for this large group.”

Correction: In the October 9th issue of The STAR, the article, “Student Photo and Film Club Proposed” incorrectly asserted that no photography classes would be offered in the foreseeable future. As stated in a previous article (“Photo Classes Restructured”), in addition to offering three new photography courses, the art department has also reworked two additional classes, some which will be offered this semester and in the future as well.

Houghton College Buffalo offers refugee students a chance to learn in an environment tailored to each student’s individual needs.

Through the program, students are able to study in their own neighborhoods, in a learning community that offers individual attention, small class sizes, and a curriculum tailored to develop English language and other skills needed for the workplace.

The program just began its second fall semester, and enrollment numbers are growing.

In August, New York State approved the program as an official extension center of Houghton College. The extension site serves a diverse and growing international community, which includes many immigrant and refugee families.

“While other Christian colleges serve refugee and immigrant students in their urban programs,” commented academic dean, Linda Mills Woolsey, “I do not know of any other program that has worked so intentionally with refugee communities and churches to design a program tailored to the needs of a specific community.”

Over the course of this school year, the program will launch internships for their students. Beginning in the spring, 12 of the second-year students will have the opportunity to participate in an off-campus internship, which will give students hands on experience, tailored to their particular interests.

“We hope that what we’ve learned in our program will be a model for others, since Buffalo, New York is not the only urban center with a growing immigrant, refugee community,” said Mills-Woolsey. “It is clear that the work we are doing here meets one of the world’s deep needs in a way that embodies the Wesleyan commitment to the useful work of the Holy Spirit.”

The educational opportunity this program provides is meeting the needs of many new Americans on Buffalo’s West Side. “Houghton is providing basic educational opportunities for these people in a hands-on way that enhances their chances of success,” commented Cameron Airhart, Dean of Houghton College Buffalo.

According to Mills-Woolsey, when Houghton began this program, some of Houghton College Buffalo’s regional neighbors needed to be convinced the school would be offering something unique and would not just be stealing their students.

Mills-Woolsey recognized President Mullen, Dr. Airhart, and friends of Houghton College as they worked hard within the program. Their hard work has  helped leaders of other colleges see Houghton College Buffalo’s Christian grounding, focus on English language learners, and unique learning community.

Moreover, “Houghton College Buffalo benefits Houghton by fulfilling the college’s core mission to make high-quality Christian liberal arts education accessible to students from diverse backgrounds and to prepare them for leadership in their communities, churches, and workplaces,” commented Mills Woolsey.

According to Mills Woolsey, the program is financially self-sustaining and returns revenue to the general budget in a way that benefits the main campus. Airhart confirmed, the location is currently enrolling 33 students; and as the student body expands, class sizes retain their small structure.

As this unique program expands, it is seeing success with students traditionally viewed as at-risk or high-risk.

According to Airhart, Houghton College’s 81% graduation rate among associate’s-degree-seeking students far surpasses the national average of 3 percent.

“We focus on economically and culturally disadvantaged students and we are committed to a high-quality, focused education delivered within the means of our funding sources, which do not include student debt,” said Airhart.

As explained by Mills Woolsey, many young people in these communities are working to learn English, often as a third or fourth language, and some are seeking to regain academic ground after war or geographic displacement disrupted their education.

“By helping these students achieve their educational goals and preparing them for employment, the program also benefits their Buffalo communities,” commented Mills-Woolsey.