CONCORD UNIVERSITY ENROLLMENT CONTINUES GROWTH DESPITE NATIONWIDE FORECASTS OF DECLINING ENROLLMENT

CONTACT: Nicole Smith, Public Relations Manager
Concord University Office of Advancement
PO Box 1000, Athens, WV 24712
(304) 384-6312
[email protected]
www.concord.edu

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 27, 2024

CONCORD UNIVERSITY ENROLLMENT CONTINUES GROWTH DESPITE NATIONWIDE FORECASTS OF DECLINING ENROLLMENT

ATHENS, WV - Concord University administrators are celebrating an increasing enrollment at the start of the 2024-2025 academic year outpacing the previous year's historic increase. The news was welcomed against the backdrop of a fast-approaching "enrollment cliff" in the number of college-going students, based on birthrates, in U.S. population data.

"This result comes from the good work our entire faculty and staff is doing each day, and I could not be prouder," remarked President Kendra Boggess. "We continue to make strides in student success, our academic programming is rigorous and expanding with new opportunities, we are enhancing the student experience, and our facility improvements ensures this remains The Campus Beautiful."

At the end of the first week of classes total enrollment registered 1,956 students, an 8.8% increase over the high-achieving Fall 2023 census. This included the welcoming of 455 incoming freshman and over 150 students transferring to Concord from 91 different institutions, leading to full residence halls during the institution's welcome week. Within the freshman class, 74 students are PROMISE scholars and 36% earned college credit in high school, bringing with them an average of 17 completed college credit hours prior to entering college. The largest success in the enrollment strategy came from the number of retained first-time freshmen from last academic year, demonstrating the institution's commitment to graduating students who enroll.

The 2024-2025 Concord University student body represents 34 countries, 29 U.S. states, and 53 West Virginia counties. It includes 600 student-athletes playing across the University's 15 athletic programs. Leading undergraduate majors based on first week's enrollment for the Fall 2024 term in descending order are business, followed by education, social work, the health sciences, and biology.

Graduate programs also celebrated continued growth in year-over-year comparisons due to increasing cohort sizes in the Master of Education (M.Ed.), followed closely by the Master of Business Administration (MBA) programs.

Students nationwide faced an unusual challenge while applying to colleges and universities this year with the release of a new Federal Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Tammy Brown, Chief Enrollment Management Officer, stated, "The situation was difficult for everyone involved. However, for us it demonstrated the effectiveness of the care provided to every student and their family as they apply and enroll at Concord University."

A final census will be taken in the weeks ahead by the Office of Institutional Research and released to the University leadership. For more information on how to apply to Concord University, please visit: www.concord.edu/apply.

ABOUT CONCORD UNIVERSITY

The mission of Concord University is to improve the lives of our students and communities, through innovative teaching and learning, intellectual and creative activities, and community service and civic engagement. To read more about The Way Forward 2023, the strategic plan for Concord University, please visit www.concord.edu/about/history-future.

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Persons with disabilities should contact Nancy Ellison, 1-304-384-6086 or 1-800-344-6679 ext. 6086, if special assistance is required for access to an event scheduled by the University on campus. Concord University may take pictures at these events for publicity purposes.

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