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from the desk of
Anthony L. Jenkins, Ph.D.
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December 16, 2025
Dear Eagle Nation:
This will be my last President’s Newsletter of the 2025 calendar year, and it has been another year for the record books at Coppin State University. We ended the year hosting the USM Board of Regent, a visit that showcased the very best of what it means to be an Eagle.
During my opening remarks, I highlighted just a few of our many accomplishments this past year. Achievements, like Celebrating 125 years of generational changing education; welcoming 1,027 new scholars into Eagle Nation; increasing our male enrollment by 52%, making us #1 among Maryland’s HBCUs; becoming the fastest growing university in Greater Baltimore; surpassing our $25 million capital campaign goal; achieving a university historic retention rate of 75%; witnessing our women’s volleyball team destroy the MEAC, and win their second Conference Championship in three years; and launching our “Coppin Live Near the Nest” program – providing $50,000 the largest downpayment assistance incentive in Maryland’s history.
Coppin continues to demonstrate why we are not just a national leader in urban higher education, but also an irreplaceable and invaluable anchor university to Baltimore. I hope you enjoy this newsletter and have a Merry Christmas and joyous Holiday Season.
Our distinguished guests toured two initiatives that reflect Coppin's unwavering commitment to student success and wellbeing. The Coppin Corner, our campus food pantry, ensures that no student goes without a meal while pursuing their education. The President and First Lady Boutique provides students with professional and personal attire for any occasion, completely free of charge.
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Board of Regents members tour Coppin Corner and the President and First Lady Boutique.
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During dinner, our guests experienced a virtual reality demonstration led by Dr. Dondra Bailey, Assistant Professor of Natural Sciences, who guided the group through a biological journey of the heart and lungs. This immersive experience highlighted how Coppin is leveraging cutting-edge technology to enhance learning and prepare students for careers in healthcare and the sciences.
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Dr. Dondra Bailey leads a virtual reality demonstration during the Board of Regents dinner.
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The following day, four Honors students presented on the Coppin State University Cross-Disciplinary Solutions Lab, led by Provost Haywood, during the Board of Regents meeting. This initiative is our unique answer to ensuring our students are not just learners, but architects of solutions for the 21st century. We are intentionally dismantling academic silos and fostering a high-impact, collaborative learning model.
Our first cohort of more than 45 Honors students from over 10 disciplines collaborated to address food insecurity on college campuses, culminating in the 'No One Goes Hungry' policy recommendation. Witnessing this presentation filled me with immense pride. Coppin students are not just learning about change; they are leading it.
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Honors students present the 'No One Goes Hungry' policy to the Board of Regents.
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Thank you to the Board of Regents and USM presidents for visiting Baltimore's hometown university and witnessing firsthand the excellence that defines Eagle Nation.
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Coppin State University family came together in an extraordinary way this Giving Tuesday! Thanks to the generosity of our alumni, faculty, staff, students, and friends, we raised $13,200 exceeding our $10,000 goal by 32%.
This year's results reflect remarkable growth in our culture of giving:
- We achieved a 230% increase over last year's Giving Tuesday total of $4,000 and a 315% increase compared to 2023.
- Donor participation grew significantly, with 65 donors stepping forward this year, a nearly 33% increase from 2024 and more than double the number of donors from 2023.
These numbers represent more than dollars. They represent belief in our students, our mission, and our future. Every gift, no matter the size, sends a powerful message that Coppin matters.
To each of you who gave, shared, or spread the word, I say to you: Your investment in Coppin State University is nurturing potential and transforming lives at our beloved institution.
Together as One Coppin, we are proving that Eagle Pride is alive and well.
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| Coppin State's Live Near the Nest Program Turns Employees into Homeowners
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Left to right: Christy Turner in front of her West Baltimore home; Dr. Christopher Robinson holding a key at the closing of his home.
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Coppin State University is making Maryland history and changing lives through its Live Near the Nest program. With $50,000 in down payment assistance, the largest initiative of its kind by a Maryland institution, Coppin is helping faculty, staff, and alumni turn the dream of homeownership into reality while strengthening West Baltimore’s historic Black neighborhoods.
For Dr. Christopher Robinson, associate professor of social work, and Christy Turner, a 2022 Coppin graduate and policy analyst, the program meant instant equity, affordable closing costs, and the opportunity to put down roots in communities rich in Black history, culture, and resilience. From Upton to Druid Heights, these new homeowners are not only building personal wealth, but also investing in neighborhoods and becoming active community partners.
As President Anthony L. Jenkins explains, the goal is simple but powerful: remove the biggest barrier to homeownership, close the wealth gap, and stabilize West Baltimore, one homeowner at a time.
Read the full story to learn how Live Near the Nest is transforming lives, revitalizing neighborhoods, and creating a new chapter in Maryland’s homeownership story.
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Coppin State University Opens a Group Counseling/Relaxation Room
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Dr. Jenkins along with Center for Counseling and Accessibility staff cutting the ribbon for the grand opening of Room to Breathe.
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The Center for Counseling and Accessibility (CCA) introduced Room to Breathe, a new group counseling and relaxation space created to support student mental health. Designed under the guidance of Ms. Cari Bland and brought to life with the support of student collaborators, the space reflects Coppin’s continued commitment to fostering a campus environment that prioritizes wellness and support. The development of the room was made possible in part through donated resources from Home Depot.
Room to Breathe offers students a welcoming environment for reflection, relaxation, connection, and personal growth. The space is used for group counseling, psychoeducational programming, and peer-support activities that promote community and shared learning.
The recent grand opening marked a meaningful expansion of CCA’s student support services and highlighted the university’s ongoing commitment to mental wellness. Students are encouraged to take advantage of this new space designed to promote calm, balance, and connection.
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| Health Sciences Students Showcase Original Research at Second Annual Symposium
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Health Sciences students during the Health Sciences Research Symposium.
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The Department of Health Sciences hosted its Second Annual Health Sciences Research Symposium, showcasing original undergraduate research on topics including mental health, firearm injury disparities, parenting and childhood outcomes, and social determinants of health. Under the mentorship of Dr. Carlin Nelson, students in HSC 415: Health Statistics and Research developed skills in research design, statistical analysis, and scientific communication throughout the semester-long project.
“This symposium is a reflection of the excellence our students are capable of when provided structured mentorship and the space to think critically,” said Dr. Yolanda Savoy, Chair of the Department of Health Sciences. “Dr. Nelson’s dedication to cultivating strong research foundations has significantly elevated the academic experience within our program.”
Dean Joan Tilghman opened the event with remarks celebrating the department’s expanding research culture and emphasizing the importance of undergraduate scholarship in preparing future health leaders.
"Through my Health Statistics & Research course, I developed an understanding of statistical analysis, research design, and data interpretation, and I learned how these skills are applied to real-world health research,” said student Tamara Beverly-Rice.
The symposium also reinforced the Department of Health Sciences’ ongoing commitment to advancing health equity and improving community well-being through research, innovation, and experiential learning. As the department continues to broaden its scholarly initiatives, the Health Sciences Research Symposium stands as a proud example of Coppin State University’s mission to empower students to become leaders, researchers, and advocates for healthier communities.
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Coppin Professor Featured on "AI, Unscripted" Podcast
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Dr. Denyce Watties-Daniels
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Dr. Denyce Watties-Daniels, Associate Professor of Nursing and Director of Simulation and Learning Resource Centers, was featured on the AI, Unscripted podcast, hosted by Michael Mills and Mary Crowley-Farrell.
She spoke candidly about embracing AI as the next evolution of online resources and explained why educators do not need to be experts to get started. Dr. Watties-Daniels also shared a step-by-step look at how she uses AI to create pharmacology case studies and NCLEX-style exam questions, saving time while maintaining academic rigor.
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| Coppin State University Named Greater Baltimore's Fastest-Growing College by Baltimore Business Journal
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Students at New Student Orientation.
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Coppin State University is soaring, with enrollment up 29% in just one year, earning recognition as Greater Baltimore’s fastest-growing college by the Baltimore Business Journal.
This growth highlights the University’s commitment to academic excellence, student success, and community engagement. As an anchor institution in West Baltimore and a member of the University System of Maryland, Coppin continues to expand access to high-quality education for students across the region and beyond.
President Dr. Anthony L. Jenkins credits the milestone to a comprehensive six-point enrollment management plan developed by Coppin’s faculty, staff, and administrators. “Scholars and their families are recognizing that the Coppin educational experience is unmatched, and we are proud to welcome a new generation of Eagles to our campus each year,” he said.
The milestone comes as Coppin advances strategic initiatives to enhance the student experience, expand academic programs, and strengthen partnerships locally and globally.
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Stories have a unique way of bringing us closer to each other and to ourselves. Help us share the incredible journey of transformation at Coppin State University. Let us highlight the amazing achievements of our students, faculty, and staff, and spread the word about the positive changes happening on our campus. Together, we can celebrate and inspire others with the excellence at Coppin State.
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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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