UD celebrates largest and most diverse student population
The class of 2025 has already made a mark by breaking campus records. Photo courtesy of Flyer News.
Grace DiPierro | Staff Writer
The beginning of a new academic year brings many things, including new opportunities and growth. The University of Dayton continues to grow, with enrollment for the 2021-22 school year breaking university records.
The overall undergraduate enrollment sits at approximately 8,700 students preparing to embark on a new chapter in their lives. Not only is this year’s student body the largest in UD’s history with 2,150 in the class of 2025, but it is also the most diverse.
The university has been working diligently to increase the representation of minority populations. This year, around 19 percent of first-year students come from underrepresented racial and ethic groups.
Nearly 20 percent of the incoming first-years are eligible for a Pell Grant, a financial aid award given to students with significant financial need. Additionally, 10 percent of first-year students are the first members of their family to go to college.
The university prides itself on its ability to increase both the availability and transparency of their programs for lower income students, military-affiliated students and transfer students.
“We are excited to welcome a great new class of Flyers this year, a cohort that is very high quality and geographically, socioeconomically, and racially diverse,” UD President Eric Spina said. “The demand for a UD education remains high, which speaks to the quality and relevance of our distinctive Catholic and Marianist learning community.”
Other areas that have seen growth include UD Sinclair Academy, which is a program offering a unique blend of academic resources and dual enrollment at both UD and Sinclair to provide a bachelors program that is more affordable for students. This program has a total of 90 new students starting this year.
Flyer Promise Scholars is another program that provides leadership opportunities and offers financial aid for high-achieving high school students. Flyer Promise Scholars will introduce 40 new students to the program in the coming days.
Despite travel challenges posed by COVID-19, international enrollment has also increased over the last year.
In addition to new students, UD looks forward to starting classes at some new locations, including The Hub Powered by PNC. Students will have the opportunity to work with community organizations, nonprofits, entrepreneurs and other art groups at the Hub.
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