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from the desk of
Anthony L. Jenkins, Ph.D.
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March 25, 2026
Dear Eagle Nation:
Welcome back from Spring Break! I hope you returned refreshed and ready to finish this semester strong. As we enter the final seven weeks of the academic year, I am filled with pride at what our community has already accomplished and excited about what lies ahead.
Spring break offered a much-needed pause—a moment to step back, recharge, and reconnect with what matters most. Whether you spent the time with family and friends, worked, caught up on rest, explored new places, or simply enjoyed a slower pace, I trust the break served you well. Now, as we reconvene on campus, we do so with renewed energy and purpose.
The weeks ahead are pivotal. For our graduating seniors, this is a time of culmination and celebration as you prepare to cross the stage and step into your next chapter. For our returning students, these final weeks are an opportunity to consolidate your learning, showcase your growth, and position yourself for success in the fall. For our faculty and staff, this home stretch calls for your continued dedication to guide, support, and inspire our students as they navigate final projects, exams, and the natural intensity of the semester’s end.
Together, we have already achieved so much this academic year. As we push forward, let us carry that momentum, support one another through the challenges, and celebrate the milestones along the way.
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Advocating for Coppin in Annapolis
I recently testified before Maryland lawmakers in Annapolis, highlighting Coppin State University’s value and impact on student success, workforce development, and economic mobility.
During my testimony, I advocated for:
- Funding to establish an academic student support center;
- Strengthening the University’s Center of Excellence; and
- Enhancing campus safety.
These investments align with Coppin’s mission to prepare students for high-demand careers and strengthen communities across Maryland.
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| Middle States Accreditation Visit
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Coppin State University recently welcomed a visiting team from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) as part of the University’s accreditation review process.
During the multi-day visit, peer evaluators from comparable institutions met with faculty, staff, students, and administrators to discuss academic programs, shared governance, student support services, and institutional priorities. The team conducted extensive interviews, reviewed institutional documentation, and assessed the University’s alignment with MSCHE’s accreditation standards.
The visit concluded with an exit interview, during which the evaluation team shared preliminary observations with University leadership. These initial findings highlighted areas of strength and opportunities for continued development.
What’s Next:
- The evaluation team will prepare a comprehensive written report for submission to MSCHE.
- Coppin State University will receive the report and have the opportunity to respond before the commission’s final review.
- The Middle States Commission will deliberate on the team’s report, the University’s response, and all supporting documentation at a commission meeting later this year.
- The commission will then issue its final decision regarding Coppin’s accreditation status.
The Office of the President will keep the campus community informed throughout the process, with updates shared through official University communication channels once the commission’s decision is received. Coppin State University remains committed to educational excellence and views this accreditation process as an opportunity for reflection and continuous improvement.
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| Student Excellence: Leading Through Service
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Meet LaBria Shannon, a graduating senior Psychology major who proves that Coppin students don’t wait until graduation to make an impact. They are leading right now.
While balancing her studies with a focus on behavioral health and mental wellness within disability services, Shannon serves as Vice President of the Social Work Association (2025–2026) and works full-time as Program Supervisor of Employment Services at Chimes Maryland. In this role, she leads initiatives that help adults with disabilities secure meaningful employment, independence, and dignity.
Shannon’s leadership did not begin with her current position. She built her foundation through hands-on experience as a Mental Health Worker, Job Coach, and Residential Counselor. These roles deepened her commitment to advocacy and empowerment. Today, she supervises teams, mentors staff, and ensures that every individual she serves discovers their strengths and potential.
As a student in the Maxie Collier Program, a member of the Coppin State Choir, and a Spring 2025 initiate of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®, Shannon represents a tradition of scholarship, sisterhood, and service to all mankind. LaBria Shannon is living proof that Coppin students are leaders now—in the classroom, on campus, and in the community.
That is the Coppin difference. That is leading through service.
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| Faculty Impact: Shaping Future Urban Leaders
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Dr. Mercy Nguavese Shenge is building mentorship pathways for the next generation of urban planners, ensuring future leaders are prepared to tackle real challenges in cities like Baltimore. As Assistant Professor and Urban Studies Coordinator at Coppin State University, and Emerging Professional Program Coordinator for the American Planning Association's Urban Design and Preservation Division, she creates cross-generational connections that transform emerging professionals into equipped leaders.
The need is urgent. Baltimore faces housing inequity, climate threats, aging infrastructure, and environmental injustice. However, emerging planners, especially those from diverse backgrounds, often lack access to the professional networks, mentorship, and leadership training that transform careers and prepare them to address these challenges. Without intentional systems, opportunity and advancement remain unequal.
Funding will support Dr. Shenge's participation in the 2026 National Planning Conference in Detroit this March, where she will expand mentorship initiatives and strengthen professional partnerships. She will host structured mentoring sessions that connect emerging planners with experienced professionals and establish relationships designed to last beyond the conference. The evidence-based strategies she brings back will directly benefit Baltimore and Coppin State.
The impact is far-reaching. Students gain access to national networks and leadership preparation that can change career trajectories. Communities benefit from planners trained to center equity, sustainability, and community voice in every decision that shapes neighborhoods. The planning profession becomes stronger and more diverse by bridging academic training with real-world practice.
Mentorship is foundational to leadership development. Building these pathways intentionally ensures future planners are prepared to lead the inclusive, sustainable change cities demand. This work advances Coppin State University's commitment to leadership, social responsibility, and community engagement. What Dr. Shenge learns will enhance classroom teaching, student mentorship, and community partnerships, strengthening the diversity, equity, and inclusion values central to Coppin's role as an urban university serving Baltimore.
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Lady Eagles Shine at MEAC Tournament
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Coppin State University was well represented at the 2026 MEAC Basketball Tournament in Norfolk, Va., with noteworthy performances from its women’s basketball team and a milestone moment for one of the institution’s all-time greats.
The women’s basketball team delivered the highlight of tournament week under first-year head coach Darrell Mosley. Entering as the No. 4 seed after finishing 6–8 in conference play, the Lady Eagles earned a convincing 70–52 quarterfinal victory over No. 5 North Carolina Central. Khila Morris led the way with 17 points, while Erin Henry, Shanai Gamble, and Sydney Burris each reached double figures in a balanced offensive effort. Coppin State advanced to the semifinal round before falling to top-seeded and eventual champion Howard, 65–50. The semifinal appearance was especially noteworthy given that Mosley assembled a roster of 14 new players in his first season, showcasing the coaching staff’s ability to build chemistry and compete at a high level in a short time.
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As the University continues to invest in the success of its student-athletes, both on the court and in the classroom, the 2026 MEAC Tournament reaffirmed Coppin State’s commitment to competitive excellence and its enduring legacy within the conference.
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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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As we move through the final weeks of the semester, let us continue to embody the spirit of One Coppin—focused, resilient, and united in purpose. Together, we are building something extraordinary.
Take care, be well, and Go Eagles!
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Anthony L. Jenkins, Ph.D.
President
Coppin State University
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