Celebrating this year’s achievements in Student Affairs (part 1)

photos by Cary Edmondson

As we near the end of 2024, Fresno State’s Division of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management reflects on this year’s milestones and momentous accomplishments, celebrating our students, staff and Bulldog community while looking toward the upcoming year. 

An enrollment resurgence

We are witnessing a resurgence in new undergraduate students choosing Fresno State. Our new first-time freshman and transfer enrollment has steadily increased since 2022. We received nearly 28,000 undergraduate applications for Fall 2024, the highest in the past four years. We welcomed a total of 6,468 first-time freshmen and new undergraduate transfer students for the academic year. 

Outreach and recruitment efforts play a vital role in sustaining and increasing enrollment. Programming is far-reaching and tailored to the needs of students across the Valley. 

Since its launch in August 2023, Bulldog Bound, a guaranteed admissions program, over 11,000 students have signed up, establishing a strong pipeline for Fresno State. Bulldog Bound is already surpassing last year’s number of applicants, highlighting its success in driving interest and engagement.

Other outreach and recruitment programming has brought over 16,000 K-12 students and their families to campus in 2024, including: the Chicanx Youth Conference, Preview Day, Feria de Educación, Super Saturday and the Native American Youth Conference.

Once enrolled at the university, the Office of New Students and Family Programs offers Dog Days: New Student Orientation to all incoming students. In Spring and Fall 2024, over 7,500 students participated in Dog Days. This year, Dog Days also incorporated Bulldog Support Team – a new initiative that paired unaccompanied students with staff members during the lunch hour, ensuring every incoming student felt a sense of security and guidance during their first day on campus. 

Ensuring students’ financial security 

Fresno State has demonstrated proactive leadership by launching the Fresno State Tuition Advantage program in the fall. Recognizing 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.”

Additionally, CalViva Health donated $100,000 to support scholarships for 20 students pursuing careers in health care services. 

Bulldogs for life

Establishing Bulldog pride and an affinity with the university is an essential step in creating a life-long relationship between our students and Fresno State. Our Student Involvement team plays a critical role in this process, hosting events and activities that offer students a chance to connect with their peers and create fond memories of their time on campus, including: Fresno State Welcome, Vintage Days, Homecoming, club sports, Greek life, Off-Campus Student Life, and Spotlight Events. 

This year, Fresno State Welcome expanded from Fresno State Welcome Week, encompassing events and special activities to welcome new and returning students to campus over the first two and a half weeks of the fall semester. Approximately 3,000 students participated in Fresno State Welcome activities. 

In October, students were invited to participate in Homecoming activities, and we saw over 3,500 attendees throughout the week. 

Nicole Tatum, a transfer student and speech pathology major, said, “I can’t even begin to explain the excitement I had leading up to the week of Homecoming! As a brand new Bulldog, I didn’t want to miss anything! I wore my ‘Hype of the Valley’ t-shirt with extreme pride during the week. The week’s activities allowed me to experience Bulldog spirit with my family and classmates. I even shared my excitement with my professors! It was a very uplifting week, and I am thankful for the memories made with my fellow Bulldogs.”

2024 was also the 50th anniversary of Vintage Days – a three-day springtime festival for campus and community celebration planned by Fresno State students. About 50,000 people attended the festival this year. 

Click here to read the second installment of Student Affairs’ 2024 celebration.

by MARISA MATA

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Share your story

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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