WKU News

Dear Colleagues,

As colleges and universities nationwide grapple with declining numbers of students, our enrollment at WKU tells a different story. We began our 117^th academic year at WKU with one of the most academically talented first-year classes in our institution’s history, boasting an average GPA of 3.49. And as of this week, compared to last year:

Total enrollment for the fall semester is up 5.8%.

• Enrollment for degree-seeking students is up 1.5%.
• Enrollment of our freshman cohort is up 3.3%.
• And graduate enrollment is up 5.6%.

This represents the first increase in overall degree-seeking enrollment since 2010 and the first increase in overall enrollment since 2016!

Additionally, as I shared during Faculty and Staff Convocation, in just five years, we increased WKU’s first-to-second-year student retention by 6.7 percentage points (2016/17 to 2021/22), and underrepresented minority (URM) retention jumped 15 percentage points – both representing the largest five-year increases in WKU’s history. Also, first-to-second-year retention among low-income students experienced significant increases, jumping 11.1 percentage points. And today, I am thrilled to share that retention of our first-time, first-year Hilltoppers from fall 2022 to fall 2023 stands at 78% – nearing our institutional goal of 80%!

Through innovative teaching, proactive student support and a relentless pursuit of excellence, we have collectively attracted and retained more students at WKU. Our enrollment and retention successes reflect not only the appeal of our academic programs, but also the outstanding work you carry out daily. Whether you teach, advise students or work behind the scenes to enhance the WKU Experience, your contributions have a profound effect on our students and our institution. You have not only helped us reach our enrollment and retention goals but have also enriched the lives of countless students who have chosen WKU as their academic home.

It is important that we pause to celebrate these remarkable accomplishments. I invite each of you to join me on Wednesday, November 1 from 2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. at the Colonnade (outside the Fine Arts Center) for a special faculty and staff appreciation reception. Together, we will enjoy an assortment of fall treats and apple cider, while we celebrate your extraordinary work and the Hilltopper Family.

I look forward to our continued work to elevate WKU to even greater heights.

Go Tops!

Best,

Timothy C. Caboni