Tag Archives: enrollment

A-State Sets Fall Enrollment Record

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Photo and story courtesy of Arkansas State University.

JONESBORO – Arkansas State University is celebrating a record-breaking student body this fall with 11th-day enrollment surging to 17,926. Fueled by the largest freshman class ever and record credit hours, A-State’s growth marks another milestone in its rising trajectory as the destination for students across Arkansas and beyond.

The Class of 2029 includes 2,222 first-year students, a 12% increase compared to last year. Among them are 1,764 Arkansans, who make up 79% of the total class and represent a 30% increase from the previous year.

“This class is a clear sign that Arkansas families see A-State as their home for opportunity,” Chancellor Todd Shields said. “It means they believe in what we are building here and they trust this institution to shape their future and strengthen our home state.”

Total enrollment at A-State has increased by 28% since Dr. Shields arrived on campus in the summer of 2022.

This year’s Red Wolves are taking more classes as well, with total credit hours reaching 161,204, an 8% increase over last year and a university record.

A higher number of returning students is also driving enrollment growth, with nearly 750 more students resuming classes this fall, representing a 7% increase over the previous year.

“Our duty goes beyond recruitment. We must ensure that students persist, succeed and graduate ready to make a difference,” said Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor Calvin White Jr. “The historic number of credentials awarded last year and the improvement in returning students show that A-State is fulfilling its mission to advance student success at every level.”

During the 2024-25 academic year, A-State awarded more than 6,000 credentials, the highest total in its history.

This fall, more students are choosing the full A-State experience. On-campus enrollment grew by 7.8%, outpacing a 6.7% growth in online programs. The shift signals a rising demand for the traditional college environment, with students seeking the energy of campus life alongside strong academics. The trend also extends to A-State’s Campus Queretaro, which has seen enrollment grow to 1,053 students, up 10% from 2024.

Student life at A-State is thriving with residence halls filled to capacity. Currently, 3,242 Red Wolves and osteopathic medical students are living on campus, which accounts for 99.8% of the available beds. Meal plan selections rose 6.7% compared to last year, an additional sign of growing student engagement on campus.

“As someone new to A-State, I have been immediately impressed by the energy and excitement on campus,” said Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Management Amanda Nickerson. “It’s clear that students are drawn not only to our academic opportunities, but also to the sense of community here. That combination makes A-State an easy choice for families.”

Looking ahead, A-State is building on this year’s success with new opportunities for future students. The university has expanded its investment in merit scholarships, raising its top award to $18,000 per year and adding a new $10,000 A-State Trailblazer Scholarship for high-achieving students.

Innovative pathways are also fueling excitement, including the Freshman to Physician program that offers early admission to the NYIT College of Osteopathic Medicine at A-State. In addition, the new A-State College of Veterinary Medicine, anticipated to open in fall 2026, will provide Arkansans with the opportunity to pursue veterinary education closer to home while helping to meet the state’s critical need for veterinarians.

Jonesboro Public Schools Board President Harrell recognized for service

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This report from DDNS reporter Brayden Morse.

JONESBORO—The Jonesboro Public School Board president, Chris Harrell, received a 12-year service plaque at Tuesday’s meeting. He will be stepping down next year.

Superintendent Dr. Kim Wilbanks shared her thoughts on Harrell’s time on the board and expressed her gratitude for him.

“I could say a lot of sappy things, but I’ll skip those. Mr. Harrell has been a loyal board member. He has led through many different opportunities that he had, and it’s been my pleasure to work beside Mr. Harrell. We greatly appreciate your service to the Jonesboro Public Schools,” Wilbanks said.

Brock Ferguson of Zone 5 will replace Harrell as president in the upcoming school year. Harrell explained the importance of the school board and how it brings the community together.

“The church is the hope of the world and I think second place goes to the school. I think the work that the school does is vitally important and life-changing. It’s been a real honor and privilege to work with these folks (school board). I’m excited for Brock, he’s going to do a great job. We do our best and don’t always get it right, because we’re human. These folks labor over decisions for the sake of the district,” Harrell said.

Later in the agenda, the district’s enrollment numbers and financial construction numbers on newly built buildings were released.

The district enrolled 6,451 students in 2024-25, which was 31 less than last year. The 13 school campuses include 816 employees, with 530 of them being licensed and 206 being classified.

“You can see that we’re slightly down from the previous year. We’re seeing pretty good growth, and since COVID, our numbers are similar to those seen in other districts. We still have not totally rebounded from those years when students were virtual and choosing other education options. We’re currently very full in the 7th through 12th grade with large classes in each of those grades,” Wilbanks said.

Later in the meeting, three students were denied legal transfers due to large enrollment throughout their desired grades. Also, none of the student’s parents showed up for representation at the meeting.

Disbursing officer Tim Stewart said the board should deny all three students, with the rest of the school board agreeing.