Southeast Missouri State University enrollment declines 22% over past decade

Southeast Missouri State University has experienced a 22% decline in student enrollment over the past 10 years, according to data from the university’s Office of Institutional Research.

In fall 2014, enrollment stood at 12,087 students. As of fall 2024, the headcount has dropped to 9,500, reflecting a significant decline in overall student numbers.

Dr. Deborah Below, who has worked in higher education since the early nineties, primarily at SEMO, serves as vice president for enrollment management and student success. A two-degree alumnus of SEMO, she has also held roles as counselor, director of admissions, dean of students, and assistant and associate vice president.

“I don’t foresee being an institution of 12,000 again, we are trying to have reasonable goals and reasonable expectations.” Dr. Below said, referencing the enrollment decline. In her role, she oversees several departments, including Admissions, Career Services, New Student Programs, and Residence Life.

Dr. Below highlighted the pressing issue of the 'enrollment cliff,' a term that describes the steady decline in U.S. college enrollment traced back to lower birth rates during the Great Recession of 2009-2011. This trend has resulted in a shrinking population of prospective college students, raising concerns for the future of higher education.

According to Education Dynamics, a 35-year agency that provides higher education marketing and enrollment growth solutions, the 2025 enrollment decline is not just a demographic issue; it reflects deeper changes in higher education. As fewer traditional students enroll, colleges must examine changing student expectations and adapt to meet their evolving needs.

“Over the last decade, we have modified it in order to live within the budget. Budget and enrollment planning have been happening very closely, but more importantly, we make sure to continue offering the services our students need to be successful,” Dr. Below said. “The number of degrees we offer, the profession we’re feeding through our programs, it’s what will drive economic prosperity for our region and state.” Below added.

The University has implemented a Strategic Action Plan (SAP) from 2022 until 2025 which aims to stabilize enrollment. The plan includes reducing equity gaps, improving overall student persistence, and increasing enrollment of historically underrepresented groups.

In June 2024, the Board of Governors met to discuss university topics, participating in two workshops, one of which focused on strategy. . Dr. Below facilitated a discussion on strategic enrollment and updating the board on SAP accomplishments.

She shared data projections and highlighted the Enrollment Transformation Task Force recommendations regarding institutional strategies focusing on product, place, price and promotion. She stated that the Task Force recommendations will position the University for success going forward.

In the discussion, Board Member Lloyd F. Smith asked how much the plan is estimated to cost. In response, University President Vargas stated the plan is estimated to cost between $4 million and $5 million but “should not be seen as a cost, but rather, an investment in the university.”

“Southeast is a comprehensive public university and among those institutions that actually produce the most bachelor degrees recipients in the nation,” Dr. Below said. The vice president stated that enhancing programs and flexible offerings will allow the University to make significant progress.

Dr. Carlos Vargas, the institution's 18th president, aims to introduce more initiatives focused on supporting student persistence and retention. “We are working hard to continue innovating our programs and aligning them with the needs of business and industry,” President Carlos Vargas added in a news release.

Students perception

Clayton M. Eftink, serves as the student representative to the Southeast Missouri State University Board of Governors. In this role, he represents the public interest from a student perspective.

He encouraged students to reach out to the Student Government Association or directly to him to discuss any ideas or initiatives that can benefit the campus community. “SEMO needs to continue to understand what makes it great and pull all of our interest behind that,” Eftink said.

In addition, the representative emphasized the importance and responsibility each student has in continuously improving and advancing the institution. “All of our students are in this together and we just want to see each other succeed,” Eftink said.

On the other side, Lydia Pobst, student government president, acknowledges this reality.

“22%, it’s a little rough to hear for sure,” Pobst said. “Some other universities in Missouri have been shutting down, and we are nowhere close to that either. I think for the sake of the country and the state, we are doing a pretty good job here at SEMO,” Pobst added.

The student president said the economy, politics and the 2020 pandemic can affect everything in many ways. Especially decision-making for juniors and seniors in high school.