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Shelley Osterloh reporting LDS Business college is one of the state's fastest growing higher ed institutions.
And last week, the Church of Jesus Christ announced it plans to build a new campus for the school in down town Salt Lake City.
The LDS Business College has been around for more than a hundred years.... yet in the last 7 years... the number of students at the college has nearly doubled. College leaders and students say, it's because of the unique environment there.
LDS Business College offers a two-year associates degree. Some students may transfer credits to a university... but most are here for job skills that will get them a good job right out of college.
It's apparently a popular idea: Enrollment at LDS Business College has increased more than 10% every year for the last five years. Nearly 1300 students attend . But classes are small: usually about 20 students.
Dean Hancock: Student from Australia" I HADN'T BEEN TO SCHOOL FOR OVER TEN YEARS SO I NEEDED A MUCH SMALLER ENVIRONMENT WHERE I COULD HAVE MORE PERSONAL INTERACTION WITH THE TEACHERS IF NECESSARY AND BEING ABLE TO ASK THE QUESTIONS I NEED TO ASK TO GET THINGS BACK ON TRACK I SUPPOSE."
20% of the students are international. Most are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who want to attend a religious school.
Samuel Nkowane, Zambie Uganda: "I HAVE CERTAIN MORAL VALUES AND PERSPECTIVE ON LIFE, AND I'M PREPARING TO GO ON A MISSION IN A COUPLE OF YEARS. "
Adriana Arguedas LaPas Bolivia: "ITS JUST A NICE SCHOOL, THE SPIRIT, YOU CAN FEEL THE SPIRIT HERE "
Stephen K. Woodhouse President LDS Business College: "OUR MISSION HAS BEEN PRETTY MUCH THE SAME SINCE 1886 WHEN WE WERE FOUNDED AND THAT'S TO EDUCATE THE YOUTH OF ZION IN A SPIRITUAL SETTING."
The school has a dress and conduct code similar to BYU.
It's consistently growing student population may be one reason, the Church has decided to build a larger campus on the site of the parking lot at 3rd West and South Temple.
Craig Nelson, Dean, LDS Business College: "WE SEE THAT THE INSTITUTION IN YEARS AHEAD CAN BECOME VERY SIGNIFICANT IN SIZE AND SO OUR DESIRE IS TO CONTROL THE GROWTH SO WE DON'T LOSE THE ELEMENTS OF WHO WE ARE "
Even as they plan for larger campus and even more students... Educators say they plan to keep small class sizes and remain focused on students success in education, work and spirituality
No word yet on when construction of that new campus will begin. Church officials say planning is underway.
