In addition to the increase in new students, C-SC achieved a 10+ year high in student retention (excluding the 2020 pandemic year), with close to 90% of students returning from spring to fall. The number of transfer students also increased by 50% compared to last year, marking C-SC’s highest total in a decade, excluding the year when many students transferred from the now-closed Iowa Wesleyan.

“91ֱ�� continues to thrive because of our commitment to personalized, experiential learning,” said Dr. Lauren Schellenberger, President of 91ֱ��. “The strong retention numbers reflect the dedication of our faculty and staff, and the significant increase in new student enrollment shows that students from across the nation, around the world, and in our own backyard recognize that we can equip them with the technical knowledge, adaptable critical-thinking abilities, and powerful interpersonal skills they need to succeed in today’s economy.”

C-SC’s momentum is also reflected in the College’s financial standing. Financial Responsibility Scores, issued annually by the U.S. Department of Education, are ranked in three tiers, with Tier One scores ranging from 1.500 to 3.000 and 3.000 being the highest. Culver-Stockton has improved its score each of the past three years, moving from 2.200 in 2022 to 2.500 in 2023 and achieving a perfect 3.000 in 2024. (The 2025 U.S. Dept. of Ed scores have not been released yet.)

“Our growth is not only about numbers, it is also about bringing together a diverse, talented, and engaged student body,” noted Vice President for Enrollment Management Melanie Lechtenberg. “From local students to those traveling thousands of miles, our Wildcats are choosing Culver-Stockton because they see a community where they belong and a college where they can excel.”

91ֱ��’s enrollment growth underscores the College’s continued investment in academic programs that align with the needs of business and industry, student success, and campus life.

High school seniors are encouraged to apply early in their senior year and to remain attentive to scholarship deadlines. The 2026-27 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) will open October 1, and students are advised to complete their applications as soon as possible to maximize potential aid for the Fall 2026 semester.

To learn more about academic programs and campus life, prospective students are invited to attend Explore the Roar Visit Day on Friday, Sept. 19. Registration is required. Sign up today at culver.edu/visit.

Culver-Stockton also offers individual visits on most weekdays and select Saturdays, providing opportunities for a campus tour, meetings with faculty, and connections with coaches and fine arts faculty. Admission counselors are available to answer questions and guide students through the application process. Group visits for student organizations may be arranged by contacting the Admission Office at admission@culver.edu.

In addition, C-SC will host several fall events:

• Young Writers Conference (Oct. 8) — High school students work with faculty and C-SC students in creative writing, non-fiction, playwriting, and more.
• Master of Athletic Training Visit Day (Oct. 13) — Students interested in athletic training participate in hands-on activities, earn Stop the Bleed certification, and learn about career opportunities in sports medicine.
• Honor Choir (Oct. 15) — High school students participate in workshops, tour campus, and conclude the day with a performance.
• Stand and Deliver: The Wildcat Gauntlet (Nov. 4) — An interactive competition designed to prepare education majors for the professional expectations of the field.

More information about and a registration link for the upcoming events are available at culver.edu/visit.

For questions about admission and/or scholarship opportunities, contact the Admission Office at (800) 537-1883 or admission@culver.edu.

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Before that, she worked at Quincy University associated with university advancement, including the areas of grants and resources, capital campaigns, annual funds, and the annual local business campaign. She is a graduate of Quincy University, receiving her bachelor’s degree (1989) and master’s degree (2006) in business administration.

“We are proud to add Melanie to our team of leadership because we know her experience and passion for higher education will be a crucial part of our success and growth,” said Dr. Lauren B. Schellenberger, president of C-SC.

The addition of Lechtenberg as vice president follows other significant leadership appointments of the college in 2023, including Dr. Kim Gaither as interim provost and Schellenberger as president in July.

Melanie Lechtenberg, Vice President for Enrollment Management

Director of Admission Eric Kniel said several factors contributed to the 7.55% increase in new undergraduate enrollment, including the ability for admission counselors to travel, strengthened relationships with area high schools, alumni and legacy relations, and an increase in transfer students from nearby schools.

91ֱ�� continues to rank among the best value colleges and recently was placed in the top ten schools for social mobility in the Midwest. For more information regarding C-SC’s rankings, visit��/about/third-party-rankings/

In her new role, Gaither will oversee the offices of admission and student success, advancing the college’s enrollment vision and strategy.

Gaither, a 1979 graduate of C-SC, has been a member of the college’s faculty since 2003, teaching many finance courses. She earned the Helsabeck Prize for Excellence in Teaching in 2008 and the Presidential Service Award in 2012. She earned her doctorate in business administration in 2009 from North Central University in Prescott, Ariz. She was selected as a peer evaluator by the Higher Learning Commission in 2018, and she completed her first evaluation in the spring of 2019.

Before accepting her new role, Gaither was the associate dean for student success and assessment. In that position, she oversaw all academic advising, developmental education coursework, TASC (the academic success center for tutoring), disability services, First Year Experience courses, academic probation students, the retention program and the institution’s assessment for all academic and co-curricular departments.

Gaither was the general manager of a training and development consulting group for 15 years before coming to Culver-Stockton. She has served on the Canton School Board for six years, been the treasurer of her church and assisted with many youth sports teams and activities. She is a member of the American Association of University Women and the local Parent-Teacher Organization.

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“It’s exciting to have so many new students starting their journey here at 91ֱ��,” said Lauren Schellenberger, vice president for academic affairs and dean of the College. “We know that a C-SC education changes lives, and it’s always energizing to the rest of the campus when so many students of promise choose to make Culver-Stockton their new home.”

As of the census date, total enrollment at Culver-Stockton is 1,010 students. It marks the fifth consecutive year that the total enrollment has topped more than 1,000 students. The total enrollment has grown 25.5 percent since the fall 2011 semester. Total enrollment consists of full-time students (882) and part-time students — high school students taking dual credit courses, online students and graduate students.

This year’s incoming freshman class of 254 students marks the sixth consecutive year that number has been larger than 250.

All enrollment figures were taken on Sept. 3, the census date for the College. The census date is a day set by the college that typically marks the end of the add/drop period.�� On this day, the College takes a “snapshot” of all students’ enrollment, and those figures become the official enrollment that is used for both state reporting and financial aid eligibility.

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