APSU: One of the state’s “most diverse” universities

As Tennessee’s fastest growing public university, Austin Peay State University also is one of the state’s most diverse universities, according to the latest enrollment data.

“That’s a good thing, since our students will enter a diverse state and national work force once they graduate,” APSU President Tim Hall said.

From Fall 2007 to Fall 2008, APSU’s black student enrollment increased 9.22 percent. The Hispanic student enrollment also increased, by 7.24 percent, during the same period. Total enrollment increase for the University was 3.38 percent.

Sally Allen, APSU admissions manager, said there was no single reason why the enrollment in diversified populations increased. Admissions counselors did visit an increased number of the state’s public schools in Memphis and continued student recruitment in Nashville and Chattanooga, she said.

Also, in the retention of APSU’s first-time, full-time freshmen from Fall 2007-Fall 2008, the retention rate for black students was 68.8 percent, greater than APSU’s overall retention rate of 67.6 percent and an increase of more than 5 percent from the Fall 2006-Fall 2007 rate.

APSU’s Hispanic retention rate was 72.7 percent, again higher than the University’s overall retention rate. The current figure also is an 18.9 percent increase from the previous year’s rate.