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from the desk of
Anthony L. Jenkins, Ph.D.
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September 22, 2026
Dear Eagle Nation,
What an extraordinary start to the academic year.
This fall, Coppin State University welcomed the largest incoming class in our history, with more than 1,500 new undergraduate students joining Eagle Nation. For the first time, our Convocation moved into the Physical Education Complex arena, where faculty, staff, students and alumni came together to welcome the Class of 2030 and celebrate the beginning of another academic year.
But our momentum extends far beyond enrollment.
Coppin continues to earn national recognition for value, affordability and student outcomes. Our students are gaining valuable research and professional experiences that prepare them to drive innovation and improve the human condition. Our faculty are bringing their experiences, cultures and expertise into the classroom. Our alumni continue to make history and represent Coppin with distinction.
September also gives us an opportunity to celebrate both National HBCU Week and Hispanic Heritage Month. These observances remind us that our strength comes from the people, their lived experiences and university traditions that make Coppin the special place it is.
As we move through the semester, I encourage each of you to remain focused on our students and on the important role each of us plays in their success. Whether you teach, advise, mentor, coach, serve or support our students behind the scenes, you are part of the Coppin experience.
There is tremendous energy across our campus. Let us continue building on it together.
One Coppin.
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| RECORD GROWTH. BRIGHT FUTURE.
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| Coppin Welcomes Its Largest Incoming Class Ever
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Coppin opened the 2026–2027 academic year with a milestone worth celebrating.
More than 1,500 new undergraduate students joined Eagle Nation this fall, including 1,241 first-year students, a 61% increase over Fall 2025.
The incoming class was so large that Coppin moved its annual Convocation from the 830-seat auditorium to the arena inside the Physical Education Complex for the first time.
The celebration featured keynote remarks from Coppin alumna and NBA broadcasting trailblazer Stephanie Ready ’98. For the first time, the ceremony also formally welcomed alumni and graduating seniors to participate.
The Class of 2030 represents more than 36 states, the District of Columbia, and 12 countries, and a mean GPA of 3.2.
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What Does the Coppin Experience Really Mean? Ask Our Students
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What makes the Coppin experience special?
During National HBCU Week, three students shared their answers.
Miss Coppin Danielle Stafford describes Coppin as the place where she found her voice and grew into leadership. Presidential Scholar Paola Pichinte found opportunity, academic support and a community where she felt welcomed. Mister Coppin Dayquan Pier found relationships that became family and learned that growth often comes through change.
Their journeys are different, but together they illustrate the relationships, traditions, opportunities and sense of belonging that define the Coppin experience.
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| Coppin Named a Top 10 HBCU and Top 100 Best Value College
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Coppin State University continues to earn national recognition for providing students with an accessible, high-value education.
Niche’s 2027 Best Colleges rankings named Coppin #10 among Best HBCU Schools in America, #100 among Best Value Colleges in America and #189 among Best Small Colleges in America.
Washington Monthly also ranked Coppin #129 among 393 colleges and universities in the Northeast and second overall among Maryland’s four HBCUs. Coppin’s reported net price of $7,919 was the lowest among Maryland HBCUs included in the Washington Monthly ranking.
The recognition comes as Coppin continues its historic enrollment growth and strengthens its commitment to affordability, opportunity and student success.
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Meet Manny Gonzalez: The Professor Who Sees Himself as a Coach
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For Manny Gonzalez, senior lecturer in marketing, teaching is about more than sharing information. It is about helping students recognize their potential.
Born in Mexico and raised in Los Angeles, Gonzalez draws on his Mexican American heritage, corporate experience and passion for mentorship to prepare Coppin students to become future business leaders, innovators and changemakers.
“I gained a deep appreciation for HBCUs, their rich histories and transformative academic work, and their mission to mold young minds into future leaders,” Gonzalez said.
His approach to teaching is rooted in a simple philosophy: be a coach.
“Coppin is at the intersection of enlightenment and opportunity,” Gonzalez said. “Coppin students should see themselves as change agents for their communities and as future leaders across all sectors of American society.”
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From Coppin to the Cancer Research Lab: Mariam Oyelade’s Summer of Discovery
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Senior biology major Mariam Oyelade spent her summer contributing to cancer research at the University of Maryland School of Medicine through the Nathan Schnaper Intern Program in Translational Cancer Research.
Oyelade worked on research involving CAR-T cell therapy and presented her work during UMSOM’s annual Student Research Forum.
The experience provided hands-on exposure to advanced cancer research while supporting her long-term goal of becoming a pediatric oncologist.
“One thing I’ve taken away from being in this program is that it doesn’t matter what your background is. There’s always a spot for you,” Oyelade said.
Her experience reflects Coppin’s growing emphasis on experiential learning, research and preparing students for graduate education and high-demand careers.
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Olympian Christina Epps Earns MEAC Hall of Fame Honor
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Coppin State track and field legend and Olympian Christina Epps has been selected for induction into the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Hall of Fame.
A six-time MEAC champion and two-time USTFCCCA All-American, Epps represented the United States in the triple jump at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.
She was also named the 2014 MEAC Woman of the Year, selected as an NCAA Woman of the Year Top 30 finalist and inducted into the Coppin State Athletics Hall of Fame in 2025.
“When I coined the phrase, ‘Coppin State is where scholars and champions are made,’ I was thinking of Eagles like Christina Epps,” President Jenkins said.
Epps will be honored during the 2027 MEAC Basketball Tournament in Norfolk, Virginia.
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Why Are More Students Choosing Coppin? WMAR-2 Takes a Look
WMAR-2 News recently visited Coppin State University to explore what is driving the University’s historic enrollment growth.
President Jenkins discussed Coppin’s focus on affordability, access, academic quality and student success, while a student shared why Coppin was the right choice and how the University created a sense of belonging.
ESPN’s Scott Van Pelt Gives Coppin Golf a Boost
Coppin’s new men’s and women’s golf programs are already attracting national attention.
The Baltimore Sun recently highlighted ESPN personality Scott Van Pelt’s support of Coppin State Golf, including his donation of golf balls to the program as the Eagles prepare for their inaugural seasons.
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| DON’T MISS WHAT’S NEXT AT COPPIN
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COPPIN TAKES OVER MPT | SEPTEMBER 24
One On One: Dr. Anthony Jenkins, Coppin State University
7:00–7:30 p.m. | MPT
MPT news anchor Jeff Salkin visits Coppin State University for an in-depth interview with President Anthony L. Jenkins, Ph.D. The episode also explores how Coppin State students are learning to procure, protect and analyze patient health records and introduces viewers to West Muhammad, who entered Coppin at age 14.
Welcome to HBCU Week at Coppin State
7:30–8:00 p.m. | MPT
Go inside Eagle Nation during a 2025 visit to Coppin State University featuring conversations with President Jenkins, students and alumni. The special also explores President Jenkins’ vision for Coppin’s role in the revitalization of West Baltimore.
Fall Career Fair
Wednesday, September 23, 2026
1:00–4:00 p.m.
Physical Education Complex, Rooms 108 & 109
Connect with employers, explore career opportunities and prepare for what comes next. Sponsored by Career and Professional Services.
2026 Coppin Golf Classic
Thursday, October 1, 2026
Turf Valley Resort
2700 Turf Valley Road
Ellicott City, Maryland
7:30 a.m. | Registration
9:00 a.m. | Shotgun Start
3:00 p.m. | Lunch
Join Coppin State University for a day on the greens in support of CSU Athletics.
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There is always something happening at Coppin.
Visit the Coppin State University Newsroom for the latest student stories, faculty accomplishments, University news, athletics highlights and more.
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Take care, be well, and Go Eagles!
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Anthony L. Jenkins, Ph.D.
President
Coppin State University
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