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They’re back!
 
����ɫ��ҹ University students have begun their fall 2020 classes, and official enrollment figures include many highlights.
 
����ɫ��ҹ’s increase in the retention of returning students is thanks in part to the university’s award-winning student support services designed to help students every step of the way – from their first day on campus through graduation. The university’s retention rate on the Kent Campus increased to 81.6%. The increased student retention also demonstrates the students’ commitment to remaining on schedule to complete their degrees.
 
“I would like to thank our retention task force led by Dr. Eboni Pringle and Dr. Manfred van Dulmen for their exemplary work proven to get students to completion,” said ����ɫ��ҹ President Todd Diacon. “They are excellent examples of our Students First commitment.”
 
Diacon has made helping ����ɫ��ҹ’s students complete a degree a priority, and the university continues to make tremendous progress. ����ɫ��ҹ’s commitment to graduating students shows in the Kent Campus’ six-year graduation rate that has now reached a record high of 65.6%, a rise of 3 percentage points from last year. The six-year rate is considered to be the national standard in comparing four-year degree-granting institutions. 
 
For the 2019-2020 academic year, ����ɫ��ҹ students earned an impressive 9,497 degrees and certificates.
 
A strong Kent Campus freshman class boasts an all-time high average GPA of 3.49. Among this year’s freshmen, the percentage of first-generation students has increased to 32.4%, and the percentage of underrepresented students has increased to 17.2%
 
����ɫ��ҹ achieved a strong fall 2020 enrollment despite challenges faced by the COVID-19 pandemic. The university’s commitment to making college affordable for all families allows many to continue the pursuit of a degree. Overall, the university reported 36,264 students enrolled in its eight-campus system, only a 3.1% decrease compared to last year. There are 25,948 students at the Kent Campus and 10,316 students at the Regional Campuses.
 
“I am very pleased with our numbers this fall and the caliber of our students, particularly this new class of freshmen,” said Mary Parker, ����ɫ��ҹ’s vice president for enrollment management. “At the start of this pandemic, we anticipated declines in enrollment and prepared accordingly. By increasing our scholarship awards and helping families make college affordable, we have been able to keep students on track to graduation. To have only a 3% decrease in our fall enrollment demonstrates confidence that we deliver a high-quality education and a valuable degree.”
 
Concurrent enrollment at the Regional Campuses is up 7.3%. Concurrent enrollment is based upon how many students attend each campus for any class.
 
����ɫ��ҹ’s eight campuses are located in Ashtabula, East Liverpool, Geauga, Kent, Salem, Stark, Trumbull and Tuscarawas.
 
For more information about ����ɫ��ҹ, visit www.kent.edu.

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Media Contacts:
Eric Mansfield, emansfie@kent.edu, 330-672-2797
Emily Vincent, evincen2@kent.edu, 330-672-8595