Middle Georgia State University (MGA) set a summer 2020 enrollment record, the largest percentage increase in its history.
Summer 2020 enrollment is 4,090, a 14.5 percent increase over summer 2019 and a 21 percent increase over summer 2018. Following a spring semester when MGA, like colleges and universities nationwide, moved all instruction to a digital format in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, summer semester students are taking all of their courses online.
“We may not have been physically present on our campuses but we never closed and we never stopped communicating with current and newly admitted students,” said Jennifer Stenander, vice president for Enrollment Management. “Our team has continued outreach to support students during this time and encourage them to keep working on their degrees. Our students met the challenge by finishing their spring coursework and continuing on to take classes this summer.”
Dr. Christopher Blake, Middle Georgia State’s president, said the University’s success with an already established fully online campus, MGA Direct, helped students, faculty and staff effectively pivot to an all-digital format in the spring, which directly impacted summer enrollment.
“By already offering online courses and degree programs, our team was able to transition quickly for the spring semester which allowed students to continue with an even stronger summer enrollment,” he said. “It’s a testimony to the determination of our students to adapt and stay focused on finishing their degrees.”
Meanwhile, MGA is gearing up to resume on-campus instruction this fall. The University System of Georgia (USG) recently reviewed and approved MGA’s reopening plans, with the primary focus being on the health and safety of students, faculty, and staff.
“One of Middle Georgia State University’s defined values is ‘adaptability,’” Blake said. “The MGA community’s shared value of adaptability has been tested these last few months, but we continue to meet the challenges head on and stand ready and prepared to welcome everyone back to campus for the fall semester.”
MGA’s on-campus offices open August 3. Fall semester classes begin August 12. The University has five on-site campuses – Macon, Cochran, Dublin, Eastman, and Warner Robins – and a fully online campus, MGA Direct
