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����ֱ�� State University’s Class of 2025 arrives with a strong record of classroom success, boasting an all-time high GPA of 3.5. These newest Golden Flashes arrive 3,982 strong, an increase of more than 4% from a year ago.

“I would like to thank our entire enrollment team led by Interim Vice President for Enrollment Management Sean Broghammer for their yearlong efforts to enroll these future ����ֱ�� State graduates,” said ����ֱ�� State President Todd Diacon. “These students are now part of the Golden Flashes family, and they’ve already begun to make this campus their home as they prepare for their futures.”

Nearly one in three (32%) is a first-generation student, and one in six (a record 17.75%) is underserved, which includes African American, Hispanic, Native American and multiracial students as a percent of the total undergraduate student population. As a class, these freshmen have arrived from 38 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and 22 countries.

Diacon has made helping ����ֱ�� State’s students complete a degree a priority, and the university continues to make tremendous progress. ����ֱ�� State’s commitment to graduating students shows in the ����ֱ�� Campus’ graduation rate that has now reached a record high of 67.5%, a rise of 1.9 percentage points from last year. 

Academically, the class stands out with a record 14% of freshmen admitted to the Honors College.

“Our freshman class arrives with a track record of academic success, and they’re well-prepared to succeed in the classroom,” said Sean Broghammer, Ph.D., ����ֱ�� State’s interim vice president for enrollment management. “As the pandemic continues, we have worked hard to help match students with scholarship awards and other aid to help them and their families make college affordable. We’ve also worked diligently to meet the needs of returning students and assist them with staying on track to graduation.” 
 
All ����ֱ�� State students have begun their fall 2021 classes, and official enrollment figures include many highlights.
 
����ֱ�� State’s strong retention (80.5%) of returning students to the ����ֱ�� Campus can be credited in part to the university’s award-winning student support services designed to help students every step of the way – from their first day on campus through graduation. ����ֱ�� Campus enrollment is 25,630 and includes 1,370 international students, an increase of 7.3%.
 
For the 2020-2021 academic year, ����ֱ�� State students earned an impressive 8,963 degrees and certificates.

����ֱ�� State achieved a strong fall 2021 enrollment despite continued challenges faced by the COVID-19 pandemic. The university’s commitment to making college affordable for all families allows many to continue the pursuit of a degree. Overall, the university reported 34,761 students enrolled in its eight-campus system, a 4.1% decrease compared to last year.  
 
����ֱ�� State’s eight campuses are located in Ashtabula, East Liverpool, Geauga, ����ֱ��, Salem, Stark, Trumbull and Tuscarawas.
 
For more information about ����ֱ�� State, visit www.kent.edu.

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Media Contact:
Emily Vincent, evincen2@kent.edu, 330-672-8595