Henderson State University has announced enrollment of 2, students for the Fall semesterβa decrease of approximately 15 percent from the Fall semester. Our enrollment exceeds the budget projections for this academic year, and we will continue to build a size and shape that is sustainable for the future. Moving into Fall from Year Zero into Year One, we have worked to address structural deficits to support student success and begin to build enrollment from the inside-out.
We are implementing the resources needed to reimagine college for all students, and our commitment to make college affordable continues with no tuition increase this year. We are working diligently to launch the Reddie Student Success Center, a StudentsFirst initiative that reflects our commitment to access, persistence, and graduation. The Reddie Student Success Center will include three critical elements to improve student retention and graduation rates: Student success coaches, a Huie Hub, and Navigate technology to facilitate access to resources and communication.
College affordability is an important part of opening the doors of opportunity and access for all students and is a critical element of reimagining college at Henderson. The cost of college is a barrier for far too many students, especially for first-generation college students. We are taking specific action to address affordability and lower the net cost of tuition for students.
In addition to recommending flat tuition for , we have been successful in significantly increasing the percentage of first-year students completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid FAFSA application. This, in addition to the restructuring of our institutional financial aid, has reduced the average unmet financial needs of first-year students. Additionally, Pell funding not only makes college more affordable for students but also provides steady revenue for the university.
Henderson is a college that works for all students because we believe in the potential of every learner, which opens the doors of opportunity and access. We are committed to evaluating performance metrics to ensure that we are always putting students first. The Reddie Help Center will help students navigate campus resources, serve as the office for Title IX, and provide critical assistance such as a food pantry, clothes closet, and life skills education center. Bobbie Lee, director of compliance and student advocacy, will lead the center, which also will be staffed by two graduate assistants.
