Record-breaking International Student Enrollment Enriches UK

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Sept. 15, 2014) — A record number of international undergraduate students from 107 different countries are enriching UK's campus with diversity, culture and innovation.

Currently, 807 international undergraduate students are on campus, which is a record-breaking 32 percent increase over last year.  In 2007 there were only 185 international undergraduate students on UK's campus, which means enrollment has grown 336 percent since then.

It takes strategy and talent to make the University of Kentucky an attractive option for international students, according to Susan Carvalho, UK's associate provost for internationalization.

"Our international enrollment manager Audra Cryder has become a national leader in terms of recruitment strategy, focusing on areas where there are many potential applicants, but at the same time keeping an eye on true global diversity for our campus," said Carvalho. "She has artfully re-designed our marketing materials, and works tirelessly at home and abroad to provide that personal touch that matters so much to faraway applicants and their families.”

UK's Enrollment Management team is also responsible for this success.

"They have been willing to move mountains to create international-friendly processes throughout the application cycle," said Carvalho. "We share information constantly, we have aligned our marketing approaches, and in general it's a shining example of how partnership works better than silos."

Cryder celebrates her International Student Ambassadors for promoting UK throughout the world.

"They played a pivotal role by reaching out to applicants and admitted students, and by helping them prepare for their time at UK," said Cryder.

"As international student ambassadors, we are proud that we can give back to UK's international community," said Bill Aboagye, the lead International Student Ambassador, who is from Ghana. "We couldn’t be happier that our collaborative efforts have made such a huge impact."

By hosting web conferences, managing social media, responding to hundreds of international applicants inquiries and sending information about UK to high schools around the world, the International Student Ambassadors have come together to promote the university.

"Our one goal was to significantly increase the international population here at UK – and we have succeeded!" said Aboagye.

"There is no question that we have profoundly changed the nature of our undergraduate experience, by making the campus a global crossroads in the heart of Kentucky," said Carvalho. "Faculty have been welcoming and eager to support the varying needs of international students. Residence Life and UK Dining have also opened their doors to the world and classrooms are enriched by the global dialogues and friendships that are built there."

MEDIA CONTACT: Jenny Wells, 859-257-5343; jenny.wells@uky.edu