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from the desk of
Anthony L. Jenkins, Ph.D.
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July 31, 2026
Dear Eagle Nation:
Summer at Coppin State University is a season filled with energy, promise, and purpose. Over the past several weeks, our campus has come alive as we welcomed more than 1,000 students, along with their parents and families, for New Student Orientation. Watching our newest Eagles take their first steps onto campus, accompanied by the loved ones who have supported them along the way, is a powerful reminder of why we do this work. These emerging scholars, leaders, and innovators are arriving ready to embrace the Coppin experience and begin writing their own chapters in our storied legacy.
Also, our campus community has been enriched this summer by the sights and sounds of young people participating in our summer camps, where the next generation of learners is discovering their talents and, we hope, envisioning their futures as Coppin Eagles.
Our Summer Academic Success Academy (SASA), a powerful initiative, continues to equip incoming students with the academic tools, mentorship, and support they need for a strong start. Programs like SASA reflect our unwavering commitment to student success and our mission to empower every Eagle who walks our campus.
This summer, we were proud to recognize members of our outstanding faculty who earned promotions and tenure. Their dedication to excellence in teaching, scholarship, research, and service strengthens our university and enriches the educational experience of every student we serve. Congratulations to each of these faculty members on this well-deserved achievement. Read more about this year's honorees in Coppin State University Celebrates Faculty Promotions and Tenure Awards.
This summer also marked an important milestone in our commitment to making higher education more accessible and affordable. At a time when colleges and universities across the nation are raising costs, Coppin State has taken a different path by lowering costs for residential students while keeping mandatory student fees unchanged. We believe that financial barriers should never stand in the way of a student's dreams, and this decision reflects our ongoing commitment to expanding opportunity, supporting student success, and ensuring that every Eagle has the resources to thrive.
Coppin State University is more than a place of learning. It is a community where potential is nurtured, opportunities are created, and dreams take flight. As we prepare to welcome a new academic year, I look forward to all we will accomplish together.
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| Scenes from New Student Orientation 2026
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Coppin Lowers Costs for Residential Students
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At a time when colleges and universities across the nation are raising prices, Coppin State University is moving in the opposite direction. Beginning in the 2026–2027 academic year, residential students will benefit from a 12% reduction in board plan costs, while mandatory student fees will remain unchanged. These affordability measures strengthen Coppin's position as Maryland's most affordable university and reflect the university's deep belief that cost should never be a barrier to opportunity. This commitment to affordability comes as Coppin experiences historic momentum: a record 24,000 undergraduate applications and the highest retention rate in university history.
READ MORE >>>
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She a Gem Makes History at the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival
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Coppin's theatre program has achieved its most decorated showing ever, with the production of She a Gem earning seven national honors and three Region II commendations at the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival, a new record for the university. This remarkable achievement, which includes the prestigious Citizen Artist Award and multiple Distinguished Performance honors, reflects the extraordinary talent of Coppin students, faculty, and the production's creative team, along with the university's commitment to experiential learning that prepares Eagles to shine on national stages.
READ MORE >>>
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| Coppin Hosts California Community College Counselors for HBCU Transfer Summit
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Coppin State welcomed counselors, staff, and administrators from California's community college system as part of the 2026 California Community College HBCU Transfer Summit. The visit included a transfer admissions presentation, a campus resource fair, a student panel, and campus tours, showcasing the clear, supportive pathways available to transfer students nationwide.
The summit also brought recognition to Coppin: President Jenkins was named California Community College HBCU President of the Year, and Dr. Nicole Lee, Associate Director of Transfer Admissions, was named California Community College Partner of the Year.
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Student Spotlight: Sayniel Sawmadal Wins Big with Housing Equity Proposal
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Sayniel Sawmadal, a Psychology major and Presidential Scholar, was named a winner of the inaugural HBCUniverse Innovation Challenge in June for her proposal to help Coppin students cover housing costs during academic breaks. Inspired by challenges she's witnessed and experienced herself, Sawmadal's idea would provide financial assistance to students in need of housing over summer and winter breaks, regardless of enrollment status. "I take immense pride in being a Coppin State Eagle and actively contributing to the school's reputation," she said.
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| Donna Polk Named Associate Athletics Director
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Director of Athletics Derek Carter announced that Donna Polk has joined the department as Associate Athletics Director and Senior Woman Administrator. Polk brings more than 25 years of experience in collegiate athletics, high school sports administration, coaching, and the nonprofit sector, including serving as the first female and first African American Executive Director of the Delaware Interscholastic Athletic Association. In her new role, Polk will advance the department's strategic priorities while supporting student-athlete development and strengthening internal and external operations.
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| Alumna Sabrina Tapp-Harper '96 Wins Democratic Nomination for Baltimore City Sheriff
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Sabrina Tapp-Harper '96 has won the Democratic primary for Baltimore City Sheriff, positioning her to become the first Black woman to lead the office in its 180-year history, pending the November general election. Tapp-Harper earned her bachelor's degree in criminal justice from Coppin before a more than 30-year career in Baltimore law enforcement, rising from cadet to major in the Baltimore City Police Department and later becoming the highest-ranking woman in the history of the Sheriff's Office when she was appointed assistant sheriff in 2022.
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Coppin in the News
Coppin State University's bold vision and growing momentum continue to earn recognition from leading local, regional, and national media outlets. Recent coverage has highlighted our innovative affordability strategy, record enrollment growth, student success initiatives, and expanding national reputation.
Recent Coverage Includes:
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Stories connect us and showcase the impact of what we are building at Coppin State University. Share your story so we can highlight the excellence, momentum, and transformation happening across our campus.
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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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