Linfield University’s incoming class of 454 undergraduate first-year and transfer students is the most diverse in school history. The large class consists has 46% on the McMinnville campus and 53% on the Portland campus identifying as U.S. students of color. Additionally, 48% of all new students are first-generation college students, and 43% are eligible for Federal Pell Grants, awarded to those with high levels of financial need.
“This is the third consecutive year that our incoming class is around half first-generation,” said Gerardo Ochoa, vice president of enrollment management and student success. “In addition, the number of Pell-eligible students demonstrates that Linfield continues to be an engine of economic mobility for families.”
Related:
- Linfield ranked among top colleges for social mobility by U.S. News & World Report
- Washington Monthly ranks Linfield No. 1 for social mobility, graduate earnings among Oregon liberal arts colleges
He said he was also pleased by the growth in graduate student enrollment. In fall 2024, Linfield is up to 69 students from last year’s 54. In fact, the number of students in each of Linfield’s graduate programs increased. This includes Linfield’s newest graduate program, a Master’s Entry into Professional Nursing (MEPN) program. The MEPN is a prelicensure program for nursing students with a bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing field.
“We’re seeing steady growth in our Master’s Entry into Professional Nursing pathway,” Ochoa said. “Our MEPN program remains the only one of its kind in Oregon, and this is the third consecutive year of growth.”
Linfield’s other graduate programs include a Master of Science in business with specialties in design and innovation, sport leadership and wine business leadership, and a Master of Science in sports science and analytics. Also, the Department of Education offers graduate endorsements for educators in English Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) and special education.
“Professor Carrie Kondor has worked tirelessly on these programs, and it’s gratifying to see them grow,” he said. “They are a wonderful opportunity for people who have been working in schools for years to become licensed teachers. It’s and is an important pipeline for Grow-Your-Own efforts to create a workforce of teachers who reflect the communities they serve.”
He added that Linfield will host HR directors from multiple K-12 districts across the state on Nov. 1 for a new event – called TOAST! – to discuss opportunities in Linfield’s growing programs. Registration for the event, offered in person and on Zoom, is now open.
