This fall, Cheyney University, a historically Black educational institution located in the suburbs of Philadelphia, experienced a significant spike in enrollment, according to a report from The Philadelphia Tribune.
The HBCU currently enrolls 851 students, up 38 percent from last year’s total enrollment of 617 students. This includes 360 first-time students, more than double of last year’s first-year cohort of 148 students and one of the HBCU’s largest incoming classes in the past 15 years. Additionally, the university brought its student retention rate up to 77 percent, marking the highest retention rate in three decades.
Cheyney University President Aaron Walker attributed the university’s recent successes to a revamped admissions staff, improved student services and academic advising, and expanded scholarship opportunities. However, as its student body continues to grow, Cheyney will need to seek improvements to its student housing options. Currently, 91 percent of Cheyney students live on campus and the HBCU has reached its housing capacity.
