Current students and admission counselors gathered this past fall for a conversation about the St. Kate's experience.
From the .
Both in Minnesota and nationally, enrollment in higher education is down. According to findings by the Minnesota Private Colleges Council and the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center, the dip is part of a longer-term culture shift exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. In the midst of these trends, St. 做厙輦⑹ remains a steadfast educator of women leaders, and has even experienced enrollment increases.
Students today face ever-growing challenges to completing their degree programs and launching into the world, says Denise Baird, PhD, co-provost and senior vice president of academic operations and student success. We are continually asking ourselves, How can we be there for St. Kates students in meaningful ways that have an impact, both directly and into their futures?
Clockwise from top left: Denise Baird, PhD; Lindsay Borkin 15; India Klipfel; and Amy Herbst
In fall 2023 alone, the University welcomed nearly 1,048 new Katies beginning their student journeys, a 21% increase over the previous year. The College for Women saw its largest first-year class in five years, with an average accepted student GPA of 3.54.
According to St. Kates admissions leaders, the reason behind this growth is St. Kates person-to-person, support-first philosophy. We dont pass the student on, and we engage with a holistic perspective of the student, says Amy Herbst, Graduate College admissions manager.
The admissions teams work with the rich network of resources and opportunities at the University to meet incoming students needs and interests.
If they need an accessibility accommodation, we get them in touch with that office. If theyre a parent, we get them in touch with Access and Success; if its questions about housing, we bring in Residence Life, says India Klipfel, director of College for Women admissions. For a student to be able to come to an admissions event and have their questions answered by an actual faculty member, to get a call from that professor when theyre accepted to the program those points of connection during students application processes turn into mentorship relationships, collaborative research partnerships, and professional development in their fields.
St. Kates has also recently expanded financial aid, which allows us to continue building a student body based on a students excellence and potential, rather than their means, Baird says. Our commitment to each student is to meet them where they are in their journey, and support them as they progress to their next goal.
The Universitys emphasis on interdisciplinary learning like St. Kates healthcare Institute of Simulation and Interprofessional Learning, and collaborative undergraduate research that spans fields from English to dietetics is grounded in the liberal arts and Catholic Social Teaching.
Thats really how St. Kates graduates leaders who are big picture thinkers, who go that extra mile, asking critical questions and challenging the way things are, says Lindsay Borkin 15, director of College for Adults admissions. Our students take the St. Kates mission right back into the community as they participate in class and cocurricular projects and clinicals, and continue on as alumni to lead and influence in their lives and careers.
From the St. 做厙輦⑹ Fall 2023 Student Census Report
Mainhia Thao 18, College for Women counselor
Jackie Lane 25, social work student in the College for Adults
Mia Austin (at right), Graduate College counselor
Michelle Barbeyto (at right), College for Adults and Graduate College counselor
Jo Nguyen OTD25, Doctor of Occupational Therapy student in the Graduate College
Hadley Ninow 27, psychology and pre-occupational therapy student in the College for Women
Support from the start
Moderated by College for Women admissions director India Klipfel, current students and admissions counselors gathered this past fall for a conversation about the St. Kates experience.
India: Lets start from the beginning of the whole admission process. If Im a student looking to enroll at St. Kates, what can I expect?
Michelle: I think we do a really good job of meeting students where theyre at in the process, reassuring them that theres someone supportive at the other end whos going to take them along on the journey from start to finish, explaining it, meeting with them one-on-one.
Jo: As a student, getting the phone call from admissions was big. The fact that they didnt just send out an email, they called me and told me I was off the wait list thats what got me to think, I want to go to this school.
Michelle: Thats where we come into play to explain that for every step of the process, there will be someone who is knowledgeable there to assist you. Breaking it down piece by piece, looking at it from a manageability lens to assure our students that for every potential roadblock you see, well be there to help you navigate it.
India: Jo, I see you nodding. Has that been an accurate reflection of your experience?
Jo: Yeah, especially for occupational therapy and other healthcare programs, you wouldnt get the support you get at St. Kates at a bigger university, like clinicals. The placement process for my program clinicals was a big thing to wrap my head around! But my advisors were there to help me take a step back and understand that I was going to be taken care of, and that I would have control over where my clinicals would be.
Mia: A lot of the nursing and healthcare applicants I talk to ask, Do you really facilitate clinicals for all your students? We just have so many clinical partners and are well known in the healthcare world. Its huge, not just for your clinicals, but your education and your career after graduation.
Jackie: I feel completely supported by the faculty as well. Im an excellent student, but coming from a community college, I was concerned that I wouldnt be up to par with the academic level of the other students. One of my first classes here, , is a writing-focused course and I found that while the content of the class was denser, my writing wasnt a concern. The core classes are designed to support my success at St. Kates, and my professors are so supportive. I have two children, and if I have anything going on, Ive been able to talk to my professors and they are able to accommodate what I need.
India: What else is on prospective students minds as they look at colleges?
Mia: No matter where theyre looking, cost is a big one. Tuition, return on investment, and also cost thats not financial the commitment that it takes when you have a young family. It really helps to be able to talk to students and show them that the sticker price is not what theyll pay. Between the financial aid, our scholarships, and outside scholarships, there are ways to bring that cost down.
Mainhia: And like Michelle said, one thing I love is that all of our College for Women admission counselors are cross-trained in financial aid. So were not sending students to different offices to talk about enrolling. They get to talk to somebody theyve already developed a relationship with.
Jo: The financial aspect of college was a big thing for me, too. I look at it as an investment in myself and my future. A degree is a big decision, and I remember feeling imposter syndrome during orientation like, Oh my gosh, Im doing this after seven years of not being in school. But its been a very supportive community of motivated women cheering each other on and rooting for each other.
Hadley: The all-women environment was new for me, and the dynamic has definitely been a pro. Seeing women in all the leadership positions in clubs and St. Kates in general, and even the way people form friendships and community in residence halls it feels a lot closer-knit.
Mainhia: For this admissions cycle, Ive had a lot of students who have been really excited about St. Kates being a womens, inclusive institution, specifically related to them being young women. For example, our women-only swim hours its important because we have students, including many in our Muslim student population, who sometimes arent able to participate in athletic activities because they are coed. I really enjoy telling students about the different women-only resources we offer.
India: We do admit men to our College for Adults and Graduate College programs. What about our male St. Kates students?
Michelle: No matter which college, women-centered education is a very visible cornerstone throughout all our programs. When I talk to men who are interested in our MBA and MAOL programs, we discuss perspective and experience. Its just as beneficial for our male students to be part of this learning environment focused on womens leadership they are going to have a totally different lens than male MBAs from other schools, and that dynamic is not only going to enrich their own lives, but positively impact their future careers, too.
Jackie: Through education, I have come to understand myself as a feminist, and Im not afraid of expressing those views here, which is huge for me. I dont ever feel like I have to suppress that in class, and its been liberating.
Mainhia: St. Kates is special because there are so many women out there who want to lead and influence, but just dont have the support, and St. Kates can be that place for them. We allow women to explore the possibilities, and whether its the admission office, financial aid, your specific faculty advisor, everyone is there to help you do what you want to do.
As a first-year, I would say that in becoming a Katie, you become someone whos able to speak up and use your voice but then use that voice to be a leader. And not just a leader, but a leader who is community-oriented and has aspirations to make the world a better place.
Hadley
I think St. Kates prepares us really well to be advocates, and to be global citizens. The principles of Catholic Social Teaching and the St. Kates mission align with being a professional in whatever field you decide to pursue.
Jo
It feels like home here. We all chose to attend St. Kates, meaning theres a baseline of values where each student can connect with another at some level. These connections are what Ive been looking for, and are incredibly valuable for my life and future in the social work profession.
Jackie
Photos by Rebecca Zenefski Slater 10.