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Enrollment, retention remain top priorities for SIU leaders in 2023

SIU Southern Illinois University System
SIU System
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SIU System

WSIU's Jennifer Fuller reports on higher education trends leading into a new semester

The Illinois Board of Higher Education reported record enrollment of new freshman at colleges and universities across the state this year. The numbers were up across the SIU System, as well - but President Dan Mahony says the work to reverse enrollment declines can't stop there.

Mahony says Illinois students and families were wary of the state's commitment to higher education during the budget impasse several years ago. COVID also had an impact on students' choices on where to go to school. But he says the big challenge now is in retention.

Funding remains a challenge, as well - Mahony says while budget have been better over the last 2-3 years, more money will be needed to meet both state and institutional goals. In addition, he says aging campuses need more support for maintenance and repairs.

Mahony says those priorities and more will be a part of his conversations with state lawmakers as they begin crafting a new state budget after the first of the year.

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Jennifer Fuller joined the WSIU family at a very young age- as both a viewer and a listener! Growing up in Carterville, Jennifer enjoyed WSIU's PBS programming as a child and young adult, and then became even more involved when she attended SIUC and worked for both the radio and TV stations as a student.
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