By Kenneth Mullinax/ASU
With Alabama State University's students beginning their classes for the fall 2024 semester, the University has announced an increase in student enrollment.
The University’s vice president for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management, Dr. Malinda W. Swoope, shared that the University's first-time, new student enrollment rate — which includes freshman, transfers and first-year graduate students — increased by12.5 percent over fall 2023, with an increase of 5.27 percent in total enrollment that includes incoming freshman, returning students and graduate students. Also, the school's student retention rate increased from 60 to 70 percent over the last year.
"We have experienced these great enrollment figures due to a concentrated effort from a myriad of officials that originates from the leadership of our President, Dr. Quinton T. Ross, Jr., and continues throughout the University, via our employees within the offices of Enrollment Management, Student Affairs, Financial Aid, the Graduate School and others," stated Dr. Swoope.
President Ross shared that he is pleased with the increase.
"We are excited about our strategic enrollment growth; allowing student persistence, retention, and completion to be our guide to measured growth and sustainability," said Dr. Ross, ASU's 15th president. "My gratitude goes out to the office of Student Affairs and Enrollment Managment, faculty, staff, and alumni for their commitment to enroll students from every corner of the globe."
Dr. Freddie Williams, Jr., who serves as Alabama State University's assistant vice president of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management, is also the director of Recruitment and Admissions. He says much of the University’s enrollment success can be credited to the team of hard-working recruiters and Financial Aid personnel, as well as the efforts of alumni and ASU students.
Williams also explained that Alabama State University has expanded its recruiting efforts across the nation, with special emphasis placed within Alabama's 67 counties and the state of Georgia, including the Atlanta Metro Area, and in locations that have been traditionally underserved.
"It is great to experience this type of enrollment growth at ASU, which speaks loudly to the value of an Alabama State University degree," Williams said. "This is a prime example that students see, know and understand that Alabama State University is truly ‘Where History is Made,' and that they wish to be a part of making that history happen for themselves and their community."