Student Affairs celebrates achievement, charts course for continued student success

students celebrate beneath an inflatable bulldog

As the 2024-25 academic year is set to begin, Fresno State’s Division of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management is reflecting on the prior year’s significant challenges and triumphs as momentum builds for the year ahead. Despite the uncertainties faced by university campuses nationwide, the division’s steadfast commitment to student success has yielded remarkable growth and recognition. 

“We believe in every student we enroll, and will engage them in meaningful activities that prepare them for a career and life beyond graduation,” said Dr. Kent L. Willis, vice president for the Division of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management. 

National recognition for commitment to student success

Fresno State’s efforts to promote student success, improve degree value, and enhance access and affordability have not gone unnoticed. The university has received several prestigious recognitions, including:

Exceeding enrollment and graduation goals

The university has made notable strides in enrollment and graduation rates, exceeding goals for first-time freshmen and transfer students and improving graduation rates by 1.5 percent. These achievements demonstrate the university’s dedication to providing a high-quality education and supporting students on their path to graduation.

While many of our sister campuses experienced a decline in enrollment, Fresno State ranked fifth among the 23 CSU campuses for enrollment stability from 2019 to 2023.

We are witnessing a resurgence in new undergraduate students choosing Fresno State. Our new first-time freshman and transfer enrollment increased from 5,904 in Fall 2022 to 6,245 in Fall 2023. We received nearly 28,000 undergraduate applications for Fall 2024, the highest in the past four years, and we are on track to welcome a cohort of 6,500.

“Under the leadership of Vice President Dr. Kent Willis, we concentrated on strategies that generate the greatest momentum for enrollment in the shortest time,” Phong Yang, associate vice president for strategic enrollment management, said. “Notable initiatives include Bulldog Bound, the re-enrollment effort for adult learners, and the City-to-State Transfer Partnership with Fresno City College. Additionally, Enrollment Management is evolving from a data-rich to a data-informed department to better support students throughout their journey.”

Proactive leadership in challenging times

Fresno State has demonstrated proactive leadership by launching the Fresno State Tuition Advantage program. Recognizing the widespread challenges students face with the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (commonly referred to as FAFSA), the university set aside additional funds as grants to help close unexpected financial gaps resulting from delays and eligibility issues. 

Kelly Russell, assistant vice president of student financial resources, said, “The new Tuition Advantage program allowed us to identify a cohort of students whose grants and scholarships fell short in covering their Fresno State tuition and fees. By using the Tuition Advantage funds to make up that difference, we increased the percentage of Fall 2024 newly admitted undergraduate students with grants and scholarships covering their tuition and fees to 65 percent.”

Collaboration and partnership: Key to success

Fresno State’s success is fueled by its commitment to collaboration and partnership. This year, the university held the second annual Higher Education and Student Affairs in the Central Valley Conference, hosted by the higher education administration and leadership program’s faculty and the Division of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management. The conference brought nearly 300 student affairs professionals from across the Valley together to connect and share resources and practices to advance student success.  

Through the Division of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management’s partnerships with Ideas42 and the Coalition for Urban Serving Universities, the university has also remained steadfast in its commitment to adult learners, a fast-growing student population that often balances work and family responsibilities and faces financial constraints among other specific challenges that require personalized support. 

The university also received national recognition from the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (commonly referred to as CASE) for a video created in collaboration between University Marketing and Communications and the Division of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management. The video featured three graduating students who were surprised with messages from their families that “reminded the [graduates] of their relentless work to get to this point and the lasting impact that their Bulldog success will have on themselves, their families, and their communities.”

The video received a Grand Gold recognition in the CASE Circle of Excellence Awards. 

Rising to the challenge: A “model for the nation”

As highlighted in a Fresno Bee opinion editorial by Dr. Sudarshan Kapoor, professor emeritus and a widely respected community member and activist, the university’s response to protests on the violence in Gaza showcased its ability to navigate complex situations while upholding the dignity and rights of all community members. 

By prioritizing open dialogue and collaborative problem-solving, Fresno State administrators were able to engage meaningfully with student leaders, facilitate a peaceful demonstration that adhered to campus policies and laws and model the way for other institutions to navigate complex issues while fostering a culture of respect, open dialogue, and peaceful resolution.

Looking ahead: Carrying the president’s vision; navigating AI 

As Artificial Intelligence (AI) continues to shape the higher education landscape, Fresno State is poised to be at the forefront of innovation. The university will participate in a pilot project with Grammarly Inc. to leverage AI to enhance student services such as career development and learning support. The program will also feature workshops emphasizing the responsible use of generative technologies, ensuring that students navigate these powerful tools with both skill and ethical awareness. 

Additionally, Fresno State will launch a new career fair focused on jobs of the future, providing students with opportunities to explore emerging fields and connect with forward-thinking employers. 

As Fresno State enters the new academic year, the university is optimistic about the future. “We’re excited to welcome students back to campus and are ready to continue building on the momentum of strong enrollment numbers and meaningful campus engagement,” Willis said. “Our president, Dr. Saúl Jiménez-Sandoval, has a vision for our campus, the Central Valley, and the state to make higher education accessible and affordable, and we’re working to make it a reality.”

by MARISA MATA

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Do you have news you would like to share with the community? Let us know! Contact our Communications Coordinator Marisa Mata at 559.278.6560 or marisamata@csufresno.edu to get started!

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