TEMPE, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – Arizona State University (ASU) has broken multiple enrollment records this fall and the impact is being felt right here in Yuma County.

ASU's expanded offerings mark a big change as more students choose to pursue higher education closer to home.

This fall, more than 41,000 new students joined the Sun Devil family, including students from Yuma County. Currently, 600 students are enrolled on ASU's Yuma campus, and an additional 400 are participating in online programs. In total, more than 1,000 students from Yuma County are now part of the ASU community.

The university also set a record by welcoming 17,000 new students across all campuses, including more than 9,000 Arizona residents.

ASU Vice President for Enrollment Matt Lopez emphasized how accessible the university has become for Yuma students.

“There won't be a day when kids in Yuma say, 'Oh, I can't have the ASU experience.' They don't have that excuse anymore. We're bringing ASU to their table if that's what they want,” Lopez said.

Additionally, ASU makes higher education more accessible to Yuma County students through the ASU Local program at Arizona Western College.

Joan Vogel, ASU's vice president for student services, emphasized the importance of the initiative.

“Students who feel they cannot leave the area or who have other commitments that keep them in Yuma will have that option,” Vogel said.

As Yuma students take advantage of ASU's offerings, the university's efforts to bring higher education opportunities to the region are clearly paying off. This increase in local participation highlights the increasing accessibility of higher education in Yuma County.