West campus scholarships set all-time record

<p>Arizona State University’s West campus has awarded a record-breaking 296 scholarships totaling $694,294 for the 2007-08 academic year.<br /><br />“Scholarships allow our students to focus on their academic studies and provides them additional time to focus on research opportunities, community service or internships,” says Elizabeth Langland, ASU vice president and dean of the New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences on the West campus.<br /><br />“The access that scholarships provide moves well beyond the financial support and opens a new world of possibilities for our students.”<br /><br />The campus, which has seen enrollment increase to nearly 9,000 undergraduate and graduate students from 5,000 in 2001, is home to four colleges: New College, College of Teacher Education and Leadership, College of Human Services, and School of Global Management and Leadership.<br /><br />The College of Teacher Education and Leadership topped the scholarship list, presenting $196,439 in academic assistance through 89 awards, followed by New College ($159,870/60), global management ($145,061/59), and human services ($140,524/60). University College at Arizona State University, working directly with all colleges, schools, departments and programs to help students select the right major, awarded 15 West campus scholarships totaling $50,400, while staff aid totaled $2,000 through 10 scholarships.<br /><br />The scholarship totals best those posted last year when the campus set records for scholarship amounts. The 2007-08 numbers represent a 64% increase in financial support and a 54% boost in the number of awards since 2004-05.<br /><br />“With many in the workforce nearing retirement, it is critical that our community begin focusing on the preparation of the next generation of employees,” says Langland. “Although relative inexpensive with respect to our academic peers, finances are still the number one impediment to the completion of a bachelor’s degree.<br /><br />“The students coming to us today want to fulfill their dreams and become active and engaged members of our community. These scholarship investments, no matter how great or how small, truly change lives.”<br /><br />While student enrollment and scholarship support continue to increase at the West campus, so does academic programming. Currently, 55 degree programs are offered across the four schools, including 34 undergraduate, 19 master’s, and 2 doctorate. By 2012, the number of degree programs is expected to total 80, including 47 bachelor’s, 30 master’s, and 3 doctorate.<br /><br />Arizona State University at the west campus is a comprehensive campus that balances the traditions of a liberal arts education with responsiveness to the demands and dynamics of work force requirements. Faculty within each college and academic program are committed to providing undergraduate and graduate teaching and research that is innovative, interdisciplinary, collaborative, and solution-based. </p>