UMR projects largest new class after targeted recruitment; retention surpasses 85% goal

Chancellor Lori Carroll and Terry Whitham told the Mission Fulfillment Committee that University of Minnesota Rochester (UMR) expects to enroll its largest new student class following recent recruitment investments. Whitham reported that as of confirmation day (May 1) UMR had 421 paid confirmations and that the campus projects to enroll at least 375 new students in 2025, up from 213 new students in 2024 and representing a large percentage increase in the new-student cohort.

Presenters said targeted recruitment tactics'including an expanded inquiry pool (69,000 in 2025 versus 35,000 in 2024), more campus visits (a 52% increase in visitations), local marketing in the Mayo Clinic enterprise area and a parent-communication program (CampusESP) helped drive gains. Year-over-year metrics discussed included applications up 27%, offers up 42% and paid confirmations up 119% compared with the prior year.

UMR leadership emphasized a personalized recruitment and student-support model tied to health-care career pathways and strong undergraduate research opportunities. Whitham and Carroll said first-to-second-year retention rose to 86%, surpassing the MPAC 2025 target of 85%. They also said financial pressure remains the top reason students leave: roughly 30% of this incoming class had an estimated family contribution of 0 or less and about 40% of the class was Pell eligible. The campus reported the Onward fundraising campaign is on track to raise nearly $5,000,000 in new scholarships by 2026 to address affordability.

Regents and presenters discussed local collaboration with other Rochester-area institutions and expanded high-school outreach; presenters said the campus has increased local recruitment capacity, including funding bus transportation for visiting groups when appropriate. Committee members noted facility and space needs if projected growth materializes and that further board discussion on investments may be required.