INTO Oregon State University Exceeds Student Enrollment and Academic Performance Goals

CORVALLIS, OR--(Marketwire - Nov 8, 2011) - INTO University Partnerships (INTO) announced today that the INTO Oregon State University (INTO OSU) program has exceeded targets for international student enrollment and academic performance.

A record 912 students from 32 countries are enrolled for Fall 2011 at the INTO OSU center on the university's Corvallis campus, exceeding original plan targets by 46 percent. This year's Fall term enrollment is 47 percent higher than the same period last year.

As a result of its rapid growth since the program's launch in 2008, INTO OSU has achieved its targeted fifth year enrollment goals in just its third year of operation. The program is poised for continued growth, with enrollment of more than 1,000 students expected in 2012-13.

The success of the INTO OSU program was underscored by the October 2011 grand opening of the university's International Living-Learning Center. The new facility, symbolic of the INTO and Oregon State partnership, houses the INTO OSU program and is home to 320 domestic and international students who occupy the student residences within the International Living-Learning Center.

"The rapid success of INTO OSU is a testament to the extraordinary collaboration between INTO and Oregon State University," said David Stremba, INTO's Managing Director for North America. "The launch of the new International Living-Learning Center illustrates both partners' commitment to an outstanding student experience. We are thrilled to see Oregon State realize the benefits of greater internationalization on campus, enriched global perspectives in the classrooms, robust international student academic outcomes, and incremental financial benefits to fund further international and domestic campus initiatives."

While increasing OSU's international enrollment is a critical aspect of the university's long-term strategy to globalize its campus, the primary goal of INTO OSU is to ensure that students are academically prepared to progress to an undergraduate or graduate degree program.

INTO OSU students are enrolled in a variety of academic "Pathway" and English language programs designed and delivered by OSU faculty to prepare them for successful transition to a degree program at the university. The experience offers international students a full year of instruction and high levels of personalized support to address their unique needs. They acclimatize to US university life while living on campus with domestic and international students, and enjoying all of OSU's facilities, resources and services.

The very first INTO OSU Pathway cohort (2009-10) -- who matriculated at a rate of 99 percent to university degree programs in Fall 2010 and has recently begun its junior year -- has achieved great academic success. During this group's sophomore year at OSU, these former INTO OSU students as a cohort had a higher average GPA than all other international second-year students. The more recent 2010-11 INTO OSU "graduates" -- those who completed a Pathway in 2011 -- also surpassed the ambitious progression and matriculation goals set for them by the university.

"I am thrilled with the rapid success we have had in bringing increased numbers of international students to our campus community," said Amy McGowan, INTO OSU Center Director, "but our greatest source of pride is the program's ability to deliver on our commitment to help talented and driven international students accomplish their goal of earning a degree from a world-class American university."

INTO University Partnerships works together with US and UK universities to develop specialized pathway programs and enhanced support services that specifically address international students' educational, social and cultural needs, carefully preparing them to progress with confidence as degree-seeking students. Students benefit from university-designed programs, university-led teaching, and supportive learning environments while enjoying full access to their host university's campus facilities, resources and services. Since 2006, INTO has launched 12 joint venture partnerships to internationalize campuses in the UK and the US including the University of South Florida and Oregon State University. More information can be found at www.into-corporate.com.