Winston-Salem State University sees record graduate enrollment following program revival
Winston-Salem State University has reached a historic milestone with the largest graduate student enrollment in its history, a significant achievement that comes two years after the institution reinstated its graduate college.
In fall 2024, WSSU’s graduate college experienced a remarkable 31.2 percent in new graduate students (244 new enrollees), compared to an 11.3 percent increase (186 enrollees) in fall 2023, a sharp contrast to the 4.5 percent decline in fall 2022.
Total graduate student enrollment surged to 590 students in fall 2024 compared to 516 the prior year, representing a 14.3 percent increase.
“This is the largest enrollment in the history of the institution,” said Dr. Montrale Boykin, interim dean of the graduate college. He attributes the substantial growth to the re-establishment of the graduate college in December 2022, when he was appointed to lead the program.
WSSU’s emphasis on graduate programs had been effectively discontinued in 2010 as university leadership shifted its focus to undergraduate liberal arts education. Although some online graduate programs remained, the absence of a formal graduate school hindered collaboration and progress, according to Boykin.
“With the program back in place, we now have a coordinated effort toward increasing enrollment, preparing graduate students for their professional careers, and exploring new graduate programs,” Boykin said.
“Hats off to the graduate coordinators, graduate department chairs and graduate admissions, who all worked together to ensure we accomplished the growth we’re seeing,” he said.
The recent growth aligns with WSSU’s broader enrollment strategy. WSSU Chancellor Bonita Brown, in her State of the Campus address, emphasized the importance of recruiting and marketing to non-traditional students to sustain the university’s future.
“The goal now is to sustain the program,” Boykin said. “The university is depending on graduate education to continue the enrollment growth.”
Looking ahead, WSSU plans to build on this momentum through increased participation in graduate fairs, strategic marketing initiatives, and awareness campaigns. A key component of this strategy involves fostering an undergraduate-to-graduate pipeline by hosting on-campus information sessions for current students.
WSSU’s success comes at a time when national graduate student enrollment has plateaued or declined. Economic challenges often impact enrollment, but WSSU is mitigating financial barriers through initiatives such as the HBCU Fellowship Grant.
The university is one of just four institutions in the nation to receive this grant, which provides full tuition, books, and stipends to minority and low-income students pursuing graduate degrees in STEM and allied health fields.
“If you come to an institution like WSSU, depending on the program, you may be able to complete your graduate education with absolutely no debt,” Boykin noted.
In 2023, 85 students benefited from the HBCU Fellowship Grant. WSSU received $11.4 million in funding, which will support students through 2029.
As WSSU continues its upward trajectory, university leaders remain committed to sustaining and expanding graduate education opportunities, ensuring the institution remains a stronghold for academic and professional advancement.
Learn more about WSSU’s graduate college.
