International enrollment in graduate studies at St. Thomas increased 48.4 percent from fall 2013 with 95 new students enrolled, while undergraduate international enrollment decreased 5.2 percent to 36 new students this year.

Lori Friedman, director of International Student Services, said the increase at the graduate level is a result of the advanced degree programs St. Thomas offers.

The new LL.M. program, a postgraduate law degree, in international comparative law produced large enrollment numbers, about 15 to 20 new students, Friedman said. The engineering and information technologies departments also saw an increase.

“We have those key fields like software, IT, MBA and now the law program,” Friedman said. “There’s just that demand, and it attracts those students.”

Friedman said the university has seen increased enrollment at the graduate level for several years. She said retention of current students will play a large role in attracting more people in the future.

“The better experience students are having, the more students that are going to come,” she said.

Friedman said International Student Services provides personal attention to make sure students from other countries have positive experiences.

“We really take care of them. We know them as individuals, and we help them whatever it takes,” Friedman said.

Human resources graduate student Josh Li, from China, said he chose St. Thomas because of International Student Services’ work.

“I work with them, and that drew me to the school,” Li said. “They’ve been trying to do good. They post events so we can participate. I appreciate it.”

Friedman said potential international students typically hear about St. Thomas through others who have studied here.

“Within the international community, the word of mouth is very strong,” Friedman said.

Sepideh Ayani, a graduate student from Iran studying IT, is an example. She said she chose St. Thomas after her cousin recommended the school, and she now tells others about it.

“She introduced St. Thomas to us. She said that this university had a good reputation,” Ayani said. “I really like it, and I recommend it to some friends in my country.”

In addition to student recommendations, Friedman said the globalization focus in the university’s new strategic plan will bring different perspectives and diversity to the St. Thomas community.

“The more we’re recruiting internationally, people are going to see our name,” Friedman said. “People are going to start noticing us even more than they already are.”

Rebecca Mariscal can be reached at mari2162@stthomas.edu.