DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Bethune-Cookman University has a lot to celebrate as administrators say they’re seeing a major jump in enrollment.
“We were about 7% over the past couple months and that continues to increase. We’re now over 15,000 applications. Over 9,000 admits and over 1,200 deposits. So that means students have committed to becoming a Wildcat,” said Executive Director of Strategic Initiatives Dr. Camille Shepard.
Around 2,500 students enrolled at B-CU in 2023.
Shepard said she believes they’re on track to enroll more this year.
“It’s more applicants. We’re trying to be a little more selective in who we admit. Our admit rate has not changed very much, it’s just the volume of student applicants who have an interest,” said Shepherd.
This comes following a year where several students protested the conditions of the dorm rooms and pushed the university to add more housing options.
Shepard said right now they’re monitoring and making sure the dorms are up to par.
“What we were doing collectively is actually walking through the dorms of each room so that students are good to go when they get here. We actually have an enrollment collaborative where we’re bringing all of the departments together, looking at what the students are going to need so we’re prepared before they even get here,” said Shepard.
On Wednesday, the university opened the Carl S. Swisher Library to honor the 149th Birthday of its founder, Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune.
“Exhibit of some of the artifacts from the university archives and some from her home,” said Dr. Tasha Lucas-Youmans, dean of B-CU Carl S. Swisher Library.
In September, B-CU announced plans to tear down the oldest dorms on their campus, Meigs and Curtis Hall.
Officials say they’re still developing their master plan which includes building a new student center on campus.
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