Albion College is one of only two colleges in Michigan, public or private, that saw enrollment gains this fall.

In an October 31 story in the Detroit Free Press, higher education reporter David Jesse wrote that concerns regarding the COVID-19 pandemic have impacted college enrollment in the state and led to a 3% drop among most colleges. But Albion has seen a 15% increase in its fall first-year class and a 2% overall enrollment increase.

Jesse wrote, “The private school in the middle of southern Michigan reached out to reassure families and also developed the Michigan Promise 2020 to offer free tuition to any family making under $65,000 a year.”

The story also highlighted how Albion connected with students and families in other ways, including arranging for a College-paid pizza to be delivered to the homes of prospective students who signed up for a virtual campus visit. Albion also provided care packages to some admitted students as part of keeping in touch.

“We’re small enough of a school that we can be very personal with (prospective students),” Dr. Hernan Bucheli, Albion’s vice president for enrollment management, told the Free Press. “When you come to Albion, you’re going to get this personal attention.”

Read the full story on the Detroit Free Press website (subscription required)