The University of Southern Mississippi expects its freshman class to be the largest in school history.

Joe Paul, the vice president for student affairs, says the number of incoming freshmen is up 12 percent from this time last year.

Late registration extends to Aug. 29, and Paul says enrollment is expected to climb.

The number of transfer students is up 6 percent from last fall. Paul says that’s because of an aggressive effort to promote the university and its academic programs.