Enrollment at Northwestern State University of Louisiana has seen a significant decline.

For the fall 2022 semester, enrollment was recorded at 9,389 students, creating a 12.5% decrease from 10,735 students in 2021.

According to Marcus Jones, president of NSU, the decline in registration is due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We attract a lot of first-generation students who don’t necessarily come from affluent families, so the impact of COVID has been more devastating for those families than others,” Jones said.

Jones is actively working to fix this issue for future semesters.

To do so, Jones plans to pursue additional scholarship funds and lobby the state to provide more funding for higher education, in order to reduce the cost of tuition.

“One of the main goals is to continue to seek resources to assist those students,” Jones said.

Carson Sanders, senior communication major, loves being a student at NSU and has had a very pleasant experience during his years of college. He not only enjoys the school, but he cherishes the small-town environment and the loving people in Natchitoches.

Sanders chose to attend NSU because of its proximity to his hometown. However, the experience and knowledge he has gained assured him that he made the right choice.

“NSU has built my skills to a higher level and has taught me how to be a leader,” Sanders said.

Sanders would not change anything about NSU and admires the efforts that faculty and staff put in to care for students.

Sanders agrees with Jones in regard to the increasing cost of tuition and appreciates Jones’ efforts to make higher education more accessible to students.

Brooke Straight, freshman English major, chose to attend NSU after an unpleasant experience at another university’s orientation. Since her decision to change schools, she has found that the close-knit community and refreshing environment were where she needed to be.

“The classes are engaging and informative and the workload is not overwhelming,” Straight said. “I’ve also gotten close with my professors, even though it is still early in the semester.”

Straight believes organizations and clubs such as the tennis club, the President’s Leadership Program and the Baptist Collegiate Ministry have a real personality and make NSU special.

Students at NSU have high hopes that with Jones’ efforts in maintaining the environment that NSU provides for students, enrollment rates for future semesters will rise.