EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. – It’s the third week into the new school year for college students.

The Southern Illinois University (SIUE) campus is buzzing with activity as students make their way to class. Inside the Morris University Center, SIUE police K9 officer Chase greets first-time and transfer students.

 “We’re very proud to announce that enrollment is up 7.7% and 5.5% just in terms of undergraduates,” said James T. Minor, SIUE Chancellor.  “It is wonderful to see. I think what it represents is the value proposition of earning a college degree is still strong.”

SIUE Chancellor James T. Minor points to a number of factors for the school’s increase in enrollment. Some 12,800 students have been active on campus over the last three weeks.

The school’s first NCAA tournament appearance could be one reason, says former college football coach and current vice chair of enrollment.

“It helps that we have SIUE’s name out there and play in the NCAA tournament but also it helps in the fact that we’re building relationships in our local schools and community colleges and talking to students and being purposeful with that,” said Andy Benoit, vice chancellor for Enrollment Management. “But also working to retain the students we have here. Our domestic retention rate went up 80%.”

Minor says the elimination of some majors and minors in programs last year led the school to evaluate, evolve, and grow with modern times.

“I knew they were going to care about me and my success with my education,” says Zachary Entwistle, a junior. “With me and my biology major, my goal is to go to med school. I knew the classes I was going to get would set me up to do well.”

Students say they feel at home on campus.

“(Minor) was really awesome and positive and welcoming,” said Ani’ya Goode, a freshman.  “Really caring about your next step after college and making sure you have a job and you’re on the right path.”