NAYONIKAA SINGHAAL
STAFF WRITER
10/28/2024
Alma College is undertaking a major initiative in partnering with the Saudi Arabian government to enroll students in the nursing program. The Saudi Arabian government has long had a program to send students to American colleges. While many institutions participate, Alma College has specifically attracted interest for its nursing program.
“I came to Alma after I got permission from SACM, the Saudi Culture Mission, which gave
me a scholarship. They have partnered with about 100 colleges, and Alma is one of the most
reputable colleges in SACM for their nursing program,” said Mohammed Alatawi (’26), a
student who came to Alma through the Saudi nursing program.
The Saudi government covers the costs for these students, particularly in fields where there’s a need in Saudi Arabia. After completing their studies, the students return home.
The Saudi officials were drawn to Alma because of its small class sizes, which provide a more personalized education. They had agreements with larger nursing programs but felt their students often got lost in those environments. Alma’s smaller setting offers an ideal opportunity for these students to thrive in their nursing studies.
“I highly recommend that other Saudi students come to Alma, as the nursing department is
very understanding that we are international students and English is not our first language,”
said Alatawi.
Alma College is home to about 1,200 students, with 63 of them being international. The
international student body is growing rapidly; in Fall 2024, Alma welcomed 29 new students
to its family. This increase is due to many factors, including the meticulous recruiting efforts
of the College.
In the Student Congress meeting on October 14th, the Chief Operating Officer and Senior
Vice President for Strategic Initiatives, Tim Pinnow, was the keynote speaker who shared
the various initiatives that Alma College has undertaken to increase admission numbers, too.
With a decrease in the number of 18-year-olds in America, the college is tackling this
challenge by attracting more international students. Alma has partnered with high schools in
India and the Saudi Arabian government and is building a contract with the UK government
to bring in 10 students each term. Some other initiatives in Asia have also been taking place.
“We also have some private companies in Vietnam and India that help us find students who are interested in studying here,” said Pinnow.
Alma College’s proactive strategy to increase its international student enrollment addresses
demographic changes while reinforcing its commitment to a diverse and enriching
educational environment.
By establishing partnerships with countries such as Saudi Arabia
and India, and emphasizing the benefits of smaller class sizes, Alma is setting itself up for a promising future. These efforts will help sustain the college’s mission and ensure it remains a premier institution for generations to come.
These efforts will help sustain the college’s mission and ensure it remains a premier institution for generations to come.
“I think that Alma College is very smart for trying to find new students to help the institution
stay strong and continue being a fantastic place to get an education. I believe it is a fantastic
place to get an education, and as the domestic population shrinks, we should look for other
ways to ensure that it remains around for another 150 years,” said Pinnow.
The Almanian: News 
Leave a Reply