As some colleges and universities are seeing a decrease in Fall 2020 enrollment, Western Dakota Tech (WDT) has set an all-time student enrollment record. The college has broken last year’s enrollment record of 1,247 students in the fall with 1,350 this year – an increase of 8.3 percent!
WDT President Ann Bolman, Ed.D., is excited about the enrollment increase at the college and what that will mean for the future graduates and area employers.
“I think the enrollment increase shows that people are looking for a great education that will help them find great paying careers right here in the Black Hills. Our faculty, who are experts in their industries, have moved forward very quickly with innovative strategies and technology to prevent further disruptions to student learning during the pandemic,” Dr. Bolman said. “Many positions remain open in the careers that WDT prepares people for following graduation. The technical and medical fields we educate folks in are truly pandemic-proof. Our graduates will continue to help fill the need for highly-skilled employees.”
Most WDT programs experienced student increases. The nursing and business programs have the largest student enrollment.
Western Dakota Tech has experienced a 25.4 percent increase in high school Dual Enrollment students – up 89 students from last Fall with a total of 440 students.
The college also saw an increase in surrounding area high school graduates enrolling at WDT this Fall – up 17.3 percent from Fall 2019.
Those who choose Western Dakota Tech for their education incur less debt than those who attend four-year colleges and universities. They participate in active learning courses that within a year or two, prepare them to secure careers in high-demand fields in this area. Ninety-nine percent* of Western Dakota Tech's most recent graduates are working, continuing their education, or are enlisted in the military.
*Placement information is derived from graduate surveys, faculty-collected data, placement surveys started six months after graduation, and the South Dakota Department of Labor and Regulation. Overall placement rate is figured by: (responding graduates employed, continuing education, or in military service)/(responding graduates who are seeking employment). The number of program graduates are unduplicated by CIP code.
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About Western Dakota Tech
Western Dakota Tech was established in 1968 and is the only technical college serving the western South Dakota region.
Western Dakota Tech offers programs in a variety of fields, including Business and Computers, Construction and Manufacturing, Energy and Environmental Technologies, Health Sciences, Legal and Public Services, and Transportation Technologies.
Ninety-nine percent of Western Dakota Tech's most recent graduates are working, continuing their education, or are enlisted in the military. [Placement information is derived from graduate surveys, faculty-collected data, placement surveys started six months after graduation, and the South Dakota Department of Labor and Regulation. Overall placement rate is figured by: (responding graduates employed, continuing education, or in military service)/(responding graduates who are seeking employment). The number of program graduates are unduplicated by CIP code.]
Western Dakota Tech faculty, staff, and administration focus their efforts on helping students gain the skills and experiences they need to succeed. Through hands-on learning, internships, and industry partnerships, Western Dakota Tech students graduate ready to make a real and immediate contribution to their employers and to their communities.
For information about Western Dakota Tech, call (800) 544-8765 or (605) 718-2565 or send an email to Admissions@wdt.edu. Visit us on the web at wdt.edu.
