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from the desk of
Anthony L. Jenkins, Ph.D.
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September 9, 2025
Dear Eagle Nation:
It is my pleasure to officially welcome you back to the start of the Fall 2025 semester. This promises to be another exciting and historic academic year at our beloved Coppin State University. Since Fall 2020, we set ambitious enrollment and retention goals, both for our undergraduate and the graduate programs. Over the past five years, in both enrollment and retention, we have continued to buck national trends.
Nationally, college enrollment has decreased at a rate of about 1.5% each year since 2011, and the institutions experiencing enrollment growth has been at a rate of approximately 2.5% to 3% per year. Since 2021, we have worked intentionally at achieving our strategic priority of becoming a university of choice. As a result, Coppin has experienced annual enrollment growth at a rate no less than 5% per year, exceeding the national average.
This fall we welcomed a record-breaking cohort, enrolling over 1,000 new undergraduate students, our largest incoming cohort in over 25 years. This cohort represents a 61% increase when compared to our Fall 2024 cohort. This historic cohort puts us four years ahead of our University System of Maryland enrollment projections.
This class reflects Baltimore’s high-spirited energy and embodies Coppin’s enduring commitment to scholarship, and community impact. Students are arriving at Baltimore’s hometown university not only from across the city, but also from as far as Arizona, California, Nevada, Oklahoma and international destinations, bringing multicultural perspectives and global ambition to The Nest. With their energy, curiosity, and multicultural perspectives, they will enrich our community of scholars.
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Dr. Jenkins with students on First Day of Fall 25 semester
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Move-in is always an exhilarating time of the academic year, and Toinette and I love helping our newest Eagles get settled in. This time of the year marks the beginning of a new chapter, gaining independence and responsibility, learning new life skills, developing lifelong friends and experiencing a mix of excitement, anxiety, and hope for future opportunities.
With more students comes a greater demand for housing. Whether students are from Baltimore or Ghana, over the past five years, we have had a 250% increase in request for on-campus housing. With over 1000 new undergraduate students for Fall 2025, and on-campus housing consistently at 100% occupancy, our Student Affairs team had to secure six off-campus housing partners, to ensure all our students have safe and welcoming living arrangements.
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Scenes from On and Off Campus Move In
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This fall, we have over 600 returning students living off-campus in partnership housing. The growing demand for the Coppin experience continues to present a housing challenge. Our efforts to expand on-campus housing will remain profoundly important if Coppin is to sustain its historic recruitment and retention achievements.
Nothing transforms a campus environment like the energy of a new freshmen class. I am calling on the entire Eagle Nation, let us extend a warm welcome to our newest Eagles. It is our collective responsibility to ensure they feel connected to Coppin as they embark on their academic journey.
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| Coppin State University Launches Strategic Plan
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Coppin State University has unveiled its 2025-2030 Strategic Plan, Courageously Soaring, an ambitious visionary framework that charts a transformative path forward as the university celebrates its 125th anniversary, and looks to the future.
Rooted in a rich legacy of access, excellence, and impact, the plan outlines five strategic priorities:
- Become a University of Choice;
- Improve the holistic development and completion rates of our students;
- Strengthen our brand and reputation as a leader in urban higher education;
- Become a great university at which to work; and
- Enhance our teaching and research excellence
Co-led by the Divisions of Academic Affairs and Enrollment Management & Student Affairs, and shaped by our shared governance committees and the campus community, the plan reflects President Anthony L. Jenkins’ vision for Coppin State University. The plan calls for inclusive collaboration across administrators, faculty, staff, students and stakeholders to build a future where Coppin is not only a beacon of academic excellence but also a catalyst for social mobility and community transformation.
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Dr. Watties-Daniels leading the freshman processional to 2025 Convocation
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At Coppin State University, Convocation is a time-honored tradition to celebrate and to officially welcome our newest students to the university. Faculty, staff, and administrators line the walkway leading to the ceremony clapping and welcoming students to the university.
During the event students were encouraged to embrace their journey to becoming college graduates and to leave at Coppin State University that will inspire generations to come. After receiving their gold Eagle and participating in the pinning ceremony, they toke an oath to respect and uphold the academic integrity, traditions, history, and multiculturalism of the university.
Each year at convocation, President Jenkins, gives the incoming class a name. One that embodies the personality, energy, spirit, and mindset of the cohort. This year’s class is named “Eagle Domination!” Domination = meaning – to be powerful in all that you do, to make positive things happen every place you go, to embrace relentless preparation, to develop an unwavering mindset of achievement, and to foster a belief that no situation and no person will ever break you.
President Jenkins challenged the new students to reflect on where they are, and to appreciate how far they have come and all the obstacles they have “Dominated” to be here. He stated "this is their moment, and this is their time."
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Students in the Class of 2029 celebrating their new academic journey
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This year’s keynote speaker was Reverend Samuel L. Burris, M.Div., a distinguished Coppin alumnus, faith leader, and community advocate. As Director of External Affairs from Baltimore City at The University of Maryland Medical System, Reverend Burris champions health equity and civic engagement across Baltimore.
Reverend Burris’s returning to Coppin as a speaker was a full-circle moment that embodies the university’s values of leadership, service, and transformation. He encouraged Eagle Domination to continue to rise above adversity, soar through storms, and push beyond limits because they are filled with purpose. Reverend Burris charged the Class of 2029 to be curious, courageous, committed, proud to be an eagle.
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Reverend Burris giving words of wisdom to the Class of 2029 during Convocation
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| Coppin State Athletics Welcomes Elam Ruff as Men’s & Women’s Golf Coach
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Elam Ruff has been named head coach of both the men’s and women’s golf programs at Coppin State University. The Eagles are set to begin competition in men’s and women’s golf in Fall 2026, bringing the university’s total number of NCAA Division I programs to 16.
“I want to thank Athletic Director Carter and the search committee for trusting me and believing in my vision to grow and rebuild the golf program,” Ruff said. “My commitment is not only to helping our student-athletes compete at the highest level on the course, but also to supporting their success in the classroom and preparing them to become leaders within the Coppin community. This opportunity is more than a job—it’s a chance to create something lasting, and I couldn’t be more excited to get started.”
Ruff is the first head golf coach appointed at Coppin State in 20 years. His hiring reflects the university’s commitment to the holistic development of its student-athletes, fostering success both in and out of the classroom.
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| It is HBCU Week on Maryland Public Television
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As the hometown university, Coppin State University takes center stage this week. Yesterday, Dr. Jenkins spoke with MPT’s Jeff Salkin about his vision for Coppin and a special report on the university’s focus on Health Information Management, which airs Friday, September 12, at 7 p.m. on State Circle.
The one-hour special, Welcome to HBCU Week from Coppin State University, which aired at 7 p.m., highlighted the heart of our campus and community and showcased why Coppin is a university of choice for students locally, nationally, and globally. Visit mpt.org/hbcu for details.
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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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