Fall enrollment at Alcorn State University increases to 3,730 students, representing the institution’s first rise in enrollment since 2011. Preliminary enrollment numbers for 2016 indicate 212 more students than fall 2015, or 6.0 percent.
The figures include another surge in freshmen and transfer enrollment, a growing out-of-state student population, and some of the nation’s most academically talented students.
Vice President for Student Affairs Emanuel Barnes says the institution saw an upsurge in students with ACT scores of 28 or higher.
“With two new scholarships — President’s Excellence and the Alcorn Achieve — attracting new, high achieving students and retaining talented students aligned well with our enrollment management goals,” Barnes said.
Nine students were offered the new President’s Excellence Scholarship, which fully funds tuition, room and board for four years, provides a book allowance and stipend each semester. Seven students accepted the scholarship by demonstrating academic strength in high school with at least a 3.0 grade point average and ACT score of 28 or above.
“The commitment of our dedicated faculty, staff and alumni to our vision of increasing access, affordability and student success has forged our enrollment success,” President Alfred Rankins Jr. said. “Aligning our tuition pricing and scholarship offering with our institutional priorities, increasing our admissions and recruitment staff, enhancing customer service, strengthening our marketing and branding strategies, and support from our faithful alumni have all contributed to our growth.
Alcorn students represent 73 Mississippi counties, 34 states and 18 countries. A total of 1,823 students are living on campus.
Moving forward, the institution is taking a data-informed look at its strategies, evaluating what is working and what isn’t. “We also have to address the logistical challenges inherent with growth, ensuring that Alcorn has adequate faculty, staff, classroom and dormitory space to sustain future growth and maintain quality,” Rankins said.
Alcorn State University is a premier comprehensive land-grant university that develops diverse students into globally competitive leaders, and applies scientific research through collaborative partnerships that benefit the surrounding communities, state, nation, and world.
Posted By: Reginald Culpepper
Friday, September 9th 2016 at 5:02PM
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