VU enrollment in Vincennes is up five percent this fall, reaching 2,481 students, the highest level since 2023. At its Wednesday meeting at the Jasper campus, the Vincennes University Board of Trustees reviewed encouraging numbers and highlighted new programs shaping the university’s reach across the state.

The Aviation Technology Center in Indianapolis reported the biggest jump, with enrollment surging 39% over last year. The Jasper campus also exceeded expectations, with full-time student numbers climbing 23%. Attendance at PreVU events rose 133%, and applications increased 19% compared to the previous year.

Jasper leaders are also strengthening ties with the community. Students through the Patoka Valley Career and Technical Cooperative will again partner with Habitat for Humanity to build a home for a local family, and Deaconess Memorial Medical Center has played a key role in launching VU Jasper’s new Emergency Medical Services/Paramedic certificate program, which welcomed its first cohort this fall.

VU leaders are also looking toward Indianapolis. Vice President of Government and Legal Affairs Tony Hahn outlined VU’s role in the Riverside Education and Innovation District, an effort led by Marian University to turn the former Larue Carter state hospital site into a hub for lifelong learning. Plans include career and technical education programs, dual enrollment for high school students, adult education, and apprenticeships with area employers.

Enrollment growth is also being seen in VU’s bachelor’s degree programs, especially online, driven by marketing campaigns that emphasize flexibility and value. Senior Director of External Relations Sarah Fortune said VU is leaning into its history as “original Trailblazers,” a nod to founder William Henry Harrison, to unify its messaging and attract new students.