College aims to grow foreign enrollment

Chadron State College is currently working to boost international student enrollment at the institution, according to Randy Rhine, vice president of Enrollment Management and Student Services.

Rhine said Friday that there is no current limit on international student enrollment. Rhine estimated that CSC has about 50 international students currently, but said he could “see us going to 100 or 150 pretty easily.”

Thought the potential for foreign enrollment is there, Rhine said there were no guarantees.

“I can’t guarantee that yield,” Rhine said.

Rhine said he didn’t foresee any problems with housing availability resulting from the potential international student influx, but said “you can’t see everything that will be problematic with that.”

Sherri Simons, director of Housing and Residence Life, echoed Rhine’s statements and said she was not anticipating any problems in housing the potential future number of international students at CSC.

In order to facilitate a successful experience for international students, Rhine said he hopes to host an intensive English course at the college in the near future.

The program, “Bridge,” is an intensive English-learning program that would be taught on-campus. “Bridge” would benefit CSC because there is currently no program in place to provide this service, Rhine said.

Rhine hopes to see the program in place by Fall 2012.

Rhine was excited with the possibility of doubling the enrollment of international students and working with the organizations in China, Vietnam, and Denver.

“I’m confident we’re going to get there,” Rhine said.