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from the desk of
Anthony L. Jenkins, Ph.D.
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February 26, 2026
Dear Eagle Nation:
This fall has been a season to remember for Coppin State University, and there is no better place to begin than where Homecoming week itself began.
Last Thursday, I had the honor of officially launching Homecoming 2026 by delivering the State of the University Address. During my address, I highlighted a few of our countless accomplishments while also outlining our courageous flight into the future. I am pleased to share with Eagle Nation what I declared from that stage: the state of our university is strong, and the numbers back it up.
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Our growth speaks for itself. We welcomed our largest incoming class in over 25 years, grew 29.6% to become the fastest-growing institution in Greater Baltimore, and achieved a historic 75% first-to-second year retention rate. We surpassed our $25.8 million capital campaign goal, grew our endowment by 127%, and secured the largest single donation in university history: a $6.2 million gift from CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield.
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President Jenkins, Miss & Mister Coppin, and Brian D. Pieninck, Former CEO of CareFirst at Coppin's 125th Birthday celebration.
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Academically and athletically, we raised the bar. We earned CSWE reaccreditation for our Social Work program, invested $1.1 million in research and innovation, and our Lady Eagles Volleyball team captured their second MEAC Championship in three years. We also made history as the first HBCU to bring NCAA Division I golf to Baltimore.
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Lady Eagles after winning MEAC Championship.
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Our commitment to students and community reached new heights as well. The Boris Henson Foundation brought SheCare Wellness Pods to campus, our Live Near the Nest initiative continued turning homeownership dreams into reality for West Baltimore, and our IT team launched Jackson, Coppin's first AI-powered chatbot. From building dedications honoring Margaret Peters, Katherine Johnson, and Henrietta Lacks to a bold new strategic plan, Baltimore's hometown university is growing beyond boundaries.
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left to right: Julie Manley, Director, SheCare Wellness Pods; Dr. Beverly O'Bryant, Dean, CSU College of Behavioral & Social Sciences; Dr. Rolande Murray, Interim Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs; Taraji P. Henson, actress, filmmaker and Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation Founder; Dr. Anthony L. Jenkins, Coppin State President; Tracie Jade Jenkins, Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation Executive Director; and Taryn Bird, Executive Director of Social Impact, Kate Spade New York at SheCare Wellness Pod ribbon cutting.
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Homecoming 2026 carried all of that energy and more. The week was filled with memorable moments, meaningful connections, and the kind of joy that only Eagle Nation can generate.
Before I look ahead, I want to take a moment to recognize the people who made Homecoming 2026 possible. To our Homecoming Planning Committee, student organizations, faculty, staff, sponsors, and every volunteer who gave their time and talent to this weekend: your dedication is a direct reflection of what makes this institution extraordinary. We are grateful for each and every one of you.
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|  | Scenes from Homecoming 2026 | |
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As the echoes of Homecoming carry us forward, the work ahead calls for that same spirit, that same pride, and that same commitment to excellence. The accomplishments I shared at the State of the University Address are not just points of pride. They are proof. Proof that Coppin State University delivers on its mission, invests in its students, and holds itself to the highest standard of excellence. That is exactly the story we will tell as we prepare for our reaffirmation of accreditation through the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
Middle States is more than timelines, standards, and site visits. For Coppin State University, it is an opportunity to document who we are, how far we have come, and where we are going. Every standard we meet is not a compliance checkpoint. It is evidence of our promise kept to the students and communities we serve.
This process belongs to all of us. I encourage every member of our campus community to attend upcoming open forums, respond to campus surveys when distributed, and visit our Middle States Resource Page for timelines, documents, and working group updates. Your voice strengthens the story we are telling together, and that story is worth telling.
Coppin State University has always done extraordinary things with extraordinary intention. This reaffirmation is our opportunity to put that on the record. I have full confidence that when our story is told completely, it will speak for itself.
Eagle Nation, the pride and unity that defined Homecoming 2026 is what we now carry into this next chapter: a shared commitment to excellence, to each other, and to the students whose futures depend on what we do here every single day.
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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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