A&T is nation’s largest black college
Preliminary fall enrollment numbers indicate that North Carolina A&T State University has secured the largest enrollment of a historically black college and university (HBCU) in the nation.
N.C. A&T begins the academic year with approximately 10,734 students, up 173 from last year’s enrollment at the same time. According to news reports, Florida A&M University’s (FAMU) approximate fall enrollment is 10,231, down 504 from the previous year and Howard University’s approximate fall enrollment is 10,480, up 183. In previous years, FAMU led in enrollment of all HBCUs and Howard came in second.
“It shows that the strategies put in place to move us toward the fulfillment of A&T Preeminence 2020 are paying off,” said Akua Matherson, associate vice chancellor for enrollment management.
A&T Preeminence 2020 is the university’s strategic plan. One of the key metrics to measure success is a total enrollment of 13,500. To meet that mark, the university has to continue: recruiting right-fit students while becoming the institution of choice for more transfer students; generating significant growth in graduate enrollment; strengthening the research enterprise and research opportunities; and improving upon student retention rates.
This year, A&T posted a retention rate of 79 percent or 6,296 students.
“Continuous growth in enrollment ensures that we will continue to be a viable part of the economic engine and growth of the Triad,” Matherson said.
