By: Liv Metz
SUNY Brockport is growing. The college welcomed its largest class in decades of more than 2000. This increase contrasts with the trend Brockport has been experiencing the past 5 years.
Every year, Brockport has incoming student targets for first time students, transfer students and graduate students. This 2023-24’ school year those numbers were reached.
HOW DID BROCKPORT DO IT
There are many reasons why SUNY Brockport is growing according to Vice President of Enrollment Sara Kelly, Ph.D.
“For incoming classes, we really focused on our scholarship program and bolstering affordability for our students. Another thing is we have free application campaigns this year so that was part of a SUNY wide effort and on our campus,” said Kelly.
Another reason for this growth is affordability. This helps families that have concerns about the costs of college and opens the door for them.
Another reason is Brockport’s new marketing campaign, ‘Excellence is within your reach’.
Driving or walking around Brockport, it is hard to miss the new campaign. Alumni Posters, graphics on campus and billboards around the Rochester community all work to promote the university.
Attending campus for orientation, students can see these posters and the marketing the school has done for an overall great experience. Through attending orientation, parents are also able to get connected through Brockport’s newly developed parent program.
The university is also reaching out to students through social media and marketing which is something that senior Mia Vizcaino has noticed.
“I think it’s really nice to see on social media us being really inclusive with the town and with the new people,” said Vizcaino.
PEOPLE ARE NOTICING
The university is reaching out to students through social media which is something senior Mia Vizcaino has noticed.
“I think it’s really nice to see on social media us being really inclusive with the town and with the new people,” said Vizcaino.
An increase in enrollment has been an increase in headaches. Students now have found themselves waiting in lines for equipment at the SERC and having to wait in lines at the dining halls.
“I go in the SERC frequently and its always packed in there. I also have classes on campus every single day and it is always busy. People eating in the dining hall even during preseason it was overfilling,” said Vizcaino.
Upperclassmen are not the only ones who have had to adjust to this change. Incoming freshman Lily Davis made the change of living at home to living on campus.
“I dont have to ask permission from my mom. It’s kind of a freedom aspect and I definitely like the social life,” said Davis.
The enrollment office at Brockport is now focused on growing and maintaining more programs that will bring not only freshman in, but also adult students.
“For graduate students we are hoping to incrementally grow. We have more and more programs that are friendly towards adult students such as online completion programs,” said Kelly.
Meeting students needs is a top priority for Kelly. What Kelly and her team are doing appears to be working.
“I talked to a bunch of freshmen on the team, and they always say they came to Brockport because of the culture that we have. It is a really big talons up kind of school. I think what people look for coming out of college is something more homey and less stressful. I think a lot of freshmen like the aspect that we have,” said Vizcaino.
Brockport is growing. The question now is, can the university sustain this growth.
