University officials announced a gain of nearly 30 percent among international students. There was also improvement in retaining last year's freshmen. Those numbers limited the university’s enrollment decline to its smallest in five years.
Still, NIU administrators are looking for better numbers. There's a search for an admissions director and assistant vice president for enrollment management.
According to a news release, President Doug Baker says recruitment and retention will continue to be priorities.
New students transfers were also down slightly. University officials are partnering with six community colleges for reverse-transfer agreements that allow NIU credits to be counted towards completion of a two-year degree.
Current enrollment is 20,611.