Summer enrollment soars at SSU
ROHNERT PARK, Calif. – Sonoma State University (SSU) is experiencing unprecedented growth in summer 2025 enrollment, with registration numbers already surpassing last year's total summer enrollment with two months of registration still remaining.
University officials project that summer enrollment – which currently stands at 1,018 – could exceed summer 2024 figures by 15% or more when enrollment figures become final.
The remarkable increase was driven by three intentional strategies: Strategic Course Selection, Multi-Channel Marketing, and Financial Aid eligibility.
Strategic Course Selection
The University took a strategic approach to summer course offerings. This year's schedule features carefully selected General Education and major requirements that allow students to make significant progress toward graduation during the summer months.
"We've designed our summer session to give students exactly what they need to stay on track or even accelerate their path to graduation," said Dr. Stacey Bosick, SSU’s Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs.
A key factor in the enrollment surge is accessibility – 93% of summer 2025 courses are being offered online, providing students with the flexibility to complete coursework from anywhere. This convenience factor has proved attractive to students eager to fulfill graduation requirements while maintaining summer jobs or internships.
Multi-Channel Marketing
Behind this year's impressive numbers is an unprecedented campus-wide marketing campaign.
“The university has implemented a comprehensive multi-channel marketing campaign including email campaigns, text notifications, digital signage throughout campus, and targeted social media posting. This strategic approach has successfully raised awareness about the benefits and availability of summer courses,” said Sean P. Johnson, University Registrar.
Financial Aid Availability
Summer classes can pose a financial challenge to students. The Financial Aid office applied for a $75,000 grant to support students and used State University Grants to support eligible students for summer. This proactive approach helped eligible students access summer funding options and helped remove financial barriers that might have prevented students from taking advantage of summer enrollment opportunities.
Registration for summer 2025 is open now and will remain available through June. Students interested in enrolling should consult with their academic advisors to identify which summer courses best align with their graduation plans.
For more information on summer course offerings and registration procedures, visit https://intersession.sonoma.edu/summer-session or contact the Office of the Registrar at [email protected].