Central State Experiences Surge In New Student Enrollment
Central State Experiences Surge In New Student Enrollment
WILBERFORCE, OH. – Central State University has announced that its entering freshmen class enrollment continues to grow. The 2018-22 class boasts over 900 new and transfer students. Central State University strategically focuses on recruiting quality, academically prepared students. Overall increases have resulted from early outreach and cultivation of these students with focused attention on those interested in pursuing majors in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and agriculture.
The 2018 incoming class at 920 are primarily from Ohio with high numbers coming from surrounding regions. Central State University has also tripled its international enrollment since 2014.
Central State has worked diligently to reduce internal costs which has allowed the University to pass savings on to their students.
“The continuing increases in new student enrollment and returning upperclassmen not only indicate an appreciation for the University’s efforts to reduce costs, but also the quality of our academic programs and the overall collegiate experience”, said Vice President for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management, Dr. B. Sherrance Russell.
Central State lowered its cost for out of state students by 70% in 2015 and established initiatives to support affordability options for all students.
According to U.S. News & World Report, Central State University is the 3rd Most Affordable four-year public institution in the country. Among Ohio’s 14 public universities, Central State is ranked as the most affordable.
The surge in student enrollment has led to an increased demand for on-campus housing. Central State University is expanding its housing offerings and is in construction of a 250 bed apartment style residence hall that will be home to a state of the art wellness center and also house the new exercise science program. “Our campus is growing and we are investing in residence options that support our students’ connection to the campus and amenities, said Vice President for Administration and Finance & CFO Curtis Pettis. The new residence hall will open in fall 2019.
Other factors contributing to the University’s growth – Central State is celebrating three years of academic achievements including new academic degree programs in exercise science, agricultural education, and sustainable agriculture. Recently, the University’s College of Business Banking Institute Program was just recognized as the top business school program of 2018 by HBCU Digest. Also, Central State University’s School of Agricultural Education and Food Science was named the Outstanding Post-Secondary Program of 2018 by the Ohio Association of Agricultural Educators.
“This is an exciting time for CSU,” said Central State President Cynthia Jackson-Hammond. “We are growing in many positive ways, including development of broader degree partnerships, international collaborations, and research with global-impact.”
“Central State University students and families recognize the tremendous value of higher education and especially the value of a degree from CSU,” said Jackson-Hammond. “The return on investment for their time and experience as a Central State University graduate will yield great success in their career options.”
2018 at a Glance:
- Higher Learning Commission (HLC) reaffirmation of accreditation, 2023
- College of Business – HBCU Digest Best Business Program of the Year
- Social Work Program – Accredited by the Council on Social Work Education
- School of Agricultural Education and Food Science named OAAE Outstanding Post-Secondary
Program
- Established School of Agricultural Education and Food Science
- New B.S. degree program – Agricultural Education
- New B.S. degree program – Exercise Science
- Increase in new student enrollment, highest in 10 years.
- Research Sponsored Funding awarded: $12.7M (including $4.06M for research)
- College of Education professor Dr. Rajeev Swami named Supervisor of 2018 by the Ohio
Teachers Education Association
- Professor Jeremy Winston, director of the CSU Chorus, earned the Congressional Award for
Community Service
- Juan Scott (sophomore) – awarded HBCU Digest Male Athlete of the Year, for accomplishments in Track & Field.
About Central State University:
Central State University, located in Wilberforce, Ohio, is a regionally accredited 1890 Land-Grant University with a 131-year tradition of preparing students from diverse backgrounds and experiences for leadership, research and service. The University, which has been named HBCU of the Year by HBCU Digest, fosters academic excellence within a nurturing environment and provides a strong liberal arts foundation and STEM-Ag curriculum leading to professional careers and advanced studies globally.
