Last week, the university announced in a press release that, thanks to record enrollment, the university saw a record 7,553 credentials awarded last academic year.

According to the release, the breakdown was:

• 969 certificates (undergraduate and graduate)
• 3,507 associate’s
• 2,614 bachelor’s
• 426 master’s
• 37 doctorate

“We’re extremely proud of those numbers because they’re more than figures,” WSU president Brad Mortensen said in the release. “Those are the students who persevered. We’ve done hard work across the university to ensure we’re removing barriers, innovating wherever possible, continually checking in with students to ensure they reach their goals — one being their degree, but ultimately uplifting their life and career.”

WSU news coordinator Rachel Badali told the Standard-Examiner in an email Friday that this figure is fulfillment of the institution’s core goal.

“Getting students started is the first step, but what comes next is even more important,” she said. “Our end goal is helping students graduate with degrees or certificates that’ll change their lives. That’s why WSU is so focused on providing student support, excellent faculty, and resources outside of class.”

She said that the implementation of several programs over the years has helped in paving the way for student success.

“It’s about helping students from the very beginning to the very end — and checking in every step of the way. Sometimes, that means thinking creatively to address common roadblocks,” she said.  “Some of the ways WSU does that is through things like Direct Admissions, comprehensive support services, high impact educational experiences, one-on-one connections with faculty and staff, stackable credentials, accelerated bachelor’s degrees, and other initiatives that help students reach their goals.”

Badali said WSU isn’t alone in this success.

“Other universities in the state are also seeing growth and defying some of the trends we’re seeing in other states,” she said.

She said that WSU will continue doing what it can to keep the trend going well into the future.

“There’s always room for more Wildcats,” she said. “The hope is that Utahns continue to see the value of a degree from WSU, both in terms of enriching their own lives and also providing means to contribute to their communities. Weber State is here to help all students reach their goals, whatever that may be. That opportunity to unlock a future with more success, more earning potential, and more career satisfaction continues to excite people about what they could achieve.”