Connor Johnson | Staff Reporter
Published May 5, 2015; 1 p.m.
Carla and Dulam, of Panama and Portugal respectively, enjoy the spring weather on Lindenwood’s campus.
Lindenwood University is recognized as a school that is home to many international students. The university was recently ranked in the top 5 percent for international student enrollment, and was rated 6th overall in Missouri.
Currently, 104 countries are represented at Lindenwood with over 1,200 international students enrolled.
Ryan Guffey, vice president for Student Development and Global Affairs, expressed how glad he was the school has become diverse over the last decade.
Prior to 2003, only 260 international students attended Lindenwood, and the school was mainly comprised of students from the Midwest.
“I am very proud that Lindenwood University has distinguished itself as an epicenter of multiculturalism and inclusion. I look forward to seeing Lindenwood taking a leadership role in this capacity,” said Guffey.
Guffey attributed the success of Lindenwood’s effort to become multicultural to many positive aspects about the school.
Another factor that has led to increased enrollments rates among international students is through word of mouth.
Jeff Harris, a graduate of Lindenwood, works as the associate director for the Office of International Students and Scholars and has seen how this phenomenon has affected enrollment rates.
“Close to half of each incoming class is in some way referred to us by our current students.”
If enrollment rates of international students continue to increase, Lindenwood will have the opportunity to compete against other local schools like Washington University and St. Louis University for the top international enrollment in the state of Missouri.
