Happy New Year from Kent State University and welcome to 2022!
As a new year begins, this is often a time to create resolutions and set personal and professional goals. In my role leading enrollment at Kent State, I often reflect on the issues and challenges that impact students’ pursuit of higher education and their Kent State experience. You may have seen recent reports from Inside Higher Ed or the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center that provide an overview of enrollment patterns of high school graduates from 2019 to preliminary data from 2021. Rarely a day goes by when I am not reminded that fewer high school graduates are going to college. While it is expected to experience an enrollment decline in many areas of the US over the next decade, even less students are choosing to go to college due to the pandemic.
When I think about the influential experiences in my life, education remains near the top of my list. I recognize the importance and impact higher education has had on my life and how higher education can positively impact one’s life. For 2022, I am going to continue to advocate for student access to higher education. When I refer to access, I really mean finding ways to make college more accessible by removing or reducing financial barriers. It probably comes as no surprise to you that the largest decline in enrollment from 2019 to 2021 are from our most underserved communities and primarily low-income. Cost remains a significant barrier to higher education. At Kent State, we have pathways for students from all income levels to help them achieve their goals by offering competitive scholarships and need-based financial aid. For students from Ohio who face the greatest economic challenges, our Flashes Go Further scholarship program removes the barrier of tuition and fees for four years.
The Flashes Go Further scholarship was introduced last summer as our signature program to support students’ attainment of a degree from Kent State. While there are criteria to qualify, I am proud that nearly 25% of our fall 2021 entering class benefited from Flashes Go Further. That means nearly 1,000 students did not have to pay for tuition and fees this year. As you work with your students this spring and cost is shared as a concern, encourage them to consider Kent State. We are working conscientiously to do as much as we can to remove cost from the list of reasons why students are not pursuing college.
I wish you a year full of positive and rewarding experiences. Please let me know if there is anything we can do at Kent State to support you and your school community.
Take care and go Flashes!
Sean Broghammer, Ph.D.
Interim Vice President for Enrollment Management