University’s Pre-Freshman Program Sets Enrollment Record
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Posted By: Jehan Bunch on July 12, 2007 University’s Pre-Freshman Program Sets Enrollment Record Over 130% Increase, 13 States Represented STEP-UP, the University’s pre-freshman science program, has set a University record for enrollees. Fifty-six of the nation’s leading prospective scientists have come to the University to participate in a special federal government initiative to create a pool of the next generation of scientists and technologists. The University has administered the program for four years, and it is currently being considered for renewal by the National Science Foundation (NSF). One of the University’s priorities of creating a more diverse geographic and economic enrollment was largely achieved this year. The 2007 STEP-UP contingent comes from 13 states. Participants came to the campus from locales as varied as the far west to the northeast. The largest contingent, 16, hails from Ohio. Several states like Nevada and Missouri, from which the program has never drawn students, have sent as many as seven students. Seven states have as few as one student represented. Fifty six is an increase of over 130% against last year’s previous record of 24. Last year, 23 of the 24 participants matriculated after Wilberforce’s program. STEP-UP, a joint effort between the University and the National Science Foundation, is an intense program of preparation for aspiring researchers, doctors, and engineers. This rigorous science and general education program jumpstarts the college careers of students with an expressed interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. The nation is currently experiencing a shortage of scientists, especially African Americans. In his comments on the record enrollment increase, Marshall Mitchell, the University’s Executive Vice President, noted the University’s more aggressive recruiting effort in identifying prospective scientists earlier in the year. “This year, the University left no stone unturned in its effort to recruit scientists and engineers. We started identifying earlier, more aggressively, and then we maintained contact with those students in a more corporate, sales-focused manner,” said Mitchell. “The University no longer approaches enrollment in this or other programs in a traditional higher educational way,” remarked Mitchell. He continued, “We must be more innovative, more focused, and more driven to reach definable targets and to guide the University in a direction that historically black colleges and universities have been hesitant or resistant to embrace. Our future literally depends upon our capacity for innovation and program improvement all at once.” This year’s enrollment increase in STEP-UP has largely tracked the overall increase in applicants to the University. Final enrollment numbers for this year will not be available until late August. If you enjoyed this article, Join HBCU CONNECT today for similar content and opportunities via email! |
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Jehan Bunch
From Columbus, OH Central State University class of 2005 Member Since January 2006 |
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