SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – Freshman numbers at the University of Illinois Springfield are the second highest ever, while total enrollment is down. The freshman total is 353, second only to the fall of 2019’s 373.

The university said Wednesday the freshman total is 353, up 13 percent from a year ago and second only to the 363 of fall 2019. Total UIS enrollment fell 356, to 4,004. UIS said the drop is attributed to “challenges” in recruiting and enrolling international students.

“We’re responding to these challenges by expanding our international partnerships and diversifying where in the world we recruit,” said David Meredith, UIS’ vice chancellor for enrollment and retention management, in a news release. “By building relationships in more countries, we can broaden our reach and create a more diverse international student population.”

“The growth we’re seeing in new undergraduate enrollment reflects the high-quality, personalized educational experience UIS provides,” UIS chancellor Janet Gooch said in the same news release. “Students connect with their professors, become involved on campus and prepare for successful futures, while financial aid and scholarships help make that experience accessible and affordable.”

The university’s flagship campus at Urbana-Champaign reported records for both freshmen (9,332) and total enrollment (60,060). Systemwide, the university reports a record total enrollment across its three campuses, up 1.2 percent to 102,267.