Iowa State’s increased ability to retain minority students is the No. 1 reason the minority student population increased 8 percent this year, university officials said.

Minority enrollment for fall semester is 2,039 students, an increase of 96. University officials were not surprised by the increase, even in the face of rising tuition costs.

“It was the result of a lot of diligent work,” said David Bousquet, assistant vice president for Admissions. “The increase is due in a large part to the programs in place and, thus, a higher retention rate.”

A number of programs are in place that help retain minority students.

Debra Sanborn is the coordinator of the Multicultural Vision Program, just one of the programs responsible for increased retention. MVP provides 100 four-year, all-expense scholarships to Iowa resident minority students.

Once on campus, she said, MVP scholars attend weekly seminars that help provide tools needed for collegiate success. The seminars are taught by MVP upperclassmen and cover topics including what it means to be a college student, how to utilize your academic adviser and what resources there are on campus.

“Many of our students are first-generation college students,” Sanborn said. “Their parents and families may not be able to identify with some of the things they are facing as a college student.”

The program has several important goals, she said. Students are encouraged to turn fellow students into their support system on campus.

“Our goal is to assist these people in finding the resources — financial and people — to make a successful transition to Iowa State, to continue with academic success and to graduate,” Sanborn said.

The increase in students occurred despite a decrease in the number of minority students enrolled in the newest freshman class. Bousquet said this decrease did not surprise officials, as the entire incoming freshman class is smaller than those in previous years.

Iowa State is still below the goal of 8.5 percent minority enrollment established by the Board of Regents. But there is progress. With the recent increase, minorities now represent 7.3 percent of Iowa State’s current student enrollment. In the 2001 fall semester, minorities represented 7 percent of all students.

“We aspire to achieve the [Board of Regents’ goal],” Bousquet said. “Through the hard work of many individuals, we’re getting closer.”

Sanborn said the increasing number of minority students has a positive impact on the entire university.

“The increased numbers of students of color at Iowa State enhances every student’s educational experience by providing the opportunity for learning from those from other cultures,” she said.

Minority student populations also rose this year at University of Iowa and the University of Northern Iowa. U of I experienced a 1.9 percent increase in its minority student population, while UNI’s increased by 5.7 percent.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, minorities account for 7.4 percent of the state’s total population.