ROCK SPRINGS — Western Wyoming College has seen a 3% decrease in enrollment this year, but President Kirk Young remains optimistic the numbers will bounce back.

Young disclosed the decline during the college board of trustees meeting Thursday evening. The decline represents approximately 65 fewer full-time students attending the college.Young says factors associated with dual enrollment and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints might be to blame.

“It  is definitely something that has our attention,” Young said.

Young cited issues involving Senate File 81 as a factor impacting dual enrollment. The bill created a $10 million grant fund aimed at helping high school students take college courses. Young said rules associated with the grants did not solidify until after the school year started.

Young also said the church recently lowered the age for young women to initiate their church mission and feedback the college received from students suggests that it may have impacted decisions made by some high school graduates. Young said they didn’t have concrete data related to if church missions were a cause in enrollment decline, telling the board the college is looking into the possibility.

Young said enrollment declines caused by the implementation of Senate File 81 will rebound, noting that school districts in Western’s service area are excited about the grant opportunities. Regarding church missions, Young said the college can expect those students to enroll once their missions are finished.

Positive Enrollment Indicators

Young said the college has seen success in its recruitment efforts. One area is through recruitment events the college participates in with the state’s other community colleges and the University of Wyoming. Western collects contact information from students interested in attending the college. Young said the college collected information from 1,100 students in the past several months, surpassing its 800-student goal for the year. 

The college also had 300 students visit the college during its Mustang Preview Day Wednesday, which offered high school juniors and seniors a tour of the college and a chance to learn about programs they’re interested in. The prior event resulted in 200 high schoolers visiting the college,