UHCL welcomes largest ever freshman class

Celebrating its 50th anniversary, the University of Houston-Clear Lake welcomed over 8,100 students to campus this fall, including its largest freshman class and largest number of doctoral students.

This growth underscores UH-Clear Lake's rising reputation as a nationally ranked, regionally focused university, making it an institution of choice for an increasing number of first-year students.

"The significant rise in this year's freshman enrollment reflects the exceptional quality and accessibility of our academic programs. As an increasing number of students choose to become part of our Hawk community, we are unwavering in our commitment to fostering their academic success and delivering a transformative educational experience," said Christopher Maynard, senior vice president for academic affairs and provost.

Freshmen enrollment on the first day of classes increased by 9%, and the number of new doctoral students increased by 59%, with overall first-day doctoral enrollment rising by 9% over last fall. The first day of class enrollment data is considered preliminary, with the final headcount to be confirmed later in the fall.

This semester, UHCL is introducing several new programs to enrich academic opportunities. The Master of Science in Nursing Education and Leadership program, housed at UHCL-Pearland, addresses the growing demand for skilled nursing leaders in healthcare. Additionally, the MBA with a concentration in Commercialization of Space equips students with the managerial skills needed to meet the demands of the aerospace sector. UHCL has also enhanced its offerings in Kinesiology and its Master of Healthcare Administrationprogram with a new state-of-the-art facility at the Texas Medical Center, which opened earlier this year.

These new programs are just the beginning of an exciting academic year at UHCL, a sentiment shared by UHCL President Richard Walker.

"As we begin the new academic year, we are proud to welcome our largest freshman class and enthusiastic about the opportunities our new programs offer," Walker said. "UHCL remains committed to providing affordable access to an education that is rigorous and innovative, in a supportive environment that values student engagement and success. UHCL creates opportunities to soar and helps students turn their aspirations into reality."

For more information about the University of Houston-Clear Lake and its academic programs, please visit University of Houston-Clear Lake (uhcl.edu).