Western New Mexico University is experiencing steady growth, with a 5% increase in first-year student enrollment for fall 2024 compared to the previous year. This growth reflects the university’s sustained enrollment overall for the 2024-2025 academic year. In the lead-up to the fall semester, WNMU received a record number of first-year applications, highlighting the rising interest in WNMU among high school graduates. This surge continues the trend of renewed interest in higher education and workforce training programs, made possible through the New Mexico Opportunity Scholarship that provides qualifying New Mexicans tuition-free access to education and training.
As one of the nation’s original Hispanic Serving Institutions, WNMU serves a large Hispanic population, with fall ’24 enrollment reflecting a nearly 2% increase in the population, underscoring the university’s ongoing commitment to expanding opportunities
The number of international students attending WNMU has also increased, up 20% over last year, a result of the university’s work with other higher education institutions and communities across the border and from around the globe, facilitating international dual degree programs and student exchange experiences.
“In today’s globalized economy and interconnected culture, we have unprecedented opportunities for the exchange of ideas. To ensure student success and competitiveness, universities must adopt a global perspective that extends beyond local boundaries, enriching the entire university community,” stated WNMU President Joseph Shepard.
As New Mexico’s only Applied Liberal Arts and Sciences university, Western New Mexico University serves multiple roles as a community college, workforce training hub and traditional university. This unique position attracts a diverse student body, with a significant number of nontraditional students, including working adults, professionals pursuing advanced degrees, and parents balancing family responsibilities with their education and training programs.
To better reflect the university’s diverse student population and unique mission, WNMU is developing a comprehensive student persistence model of measurement. This model will provide more accurate indicators of student success, extending beyond traditional retention metrics that focus solely on first-year, full-time students. At a recent meeting of the university’s Board of Regents, President Shepard stressed the importance of not only celebrating the achievements of nontraditional students, but to better provide metrics of success to the state.
“WNMU will be among the first universities in the nation to systematically measure student persistence toward degree completion—one class, one semester at a time—while these students balance work, family and educational goals,” said President Shepard.