In the heart of Baltimore, a remarkable transformation is taking place at Coppin State University under the visionary leadership of President Dr. Anthony Jenkins. Since taking the helm in 2020, Jenkins has orchestrated a data-driven renaissance that has revolutionized student success rates and institutional effectiveness.
Dr. Anthony Jenkins
“We’ve been able to move our retention to 74 percent, which puts us above the state average in Maryland for public institutions and puts us within the national average for public institutions,” says Jenkins. “We’ve been very intentional about using predictive analytics to ensure that we identify early on some of the challenges that students are having and how we address some of those challenges.”
Central to this national transformation is the innovative Eagle Achievement Center, a comprehensive student success hub located in the school’s library that provides integrated academic support, career guidance, and personal development resources. The center serves as a one-stop destination where students can access tutoring, academic advising, career counseling, and various support services designed to help them navigate their academic journey successfully.
The introduction of the Fannie Jackson Coppin Scholars program has been another game-changer in student success. Named after the institution’s namesake, a pioneering African American educator, the program provides comprehensive support and resources to high-achieving students. This initiative not only honors Coppin’s legacy but also creates a pipeline of excellence that strengthens the university’s academic culture.
By taking a careful look at course offerings and degree pathways, the administration has streamlined the road to graduation. This involved analyzing class schedules, prerequisites, and program requirements to ensure students can progress efficiently toward their degrees. The result has been a more coherent and navigable academic experience that better serves student needs.
“We’re seeing more students select Coppin as their university of choice,” says Jenkins, an Army veteran who led West Virginia State University from 2016 until he took the helm of Coppin in 2020. “We are attracting talent who see Coppin as a place where they can reach their educational goals is very humbling for me and my faculty and staff.”
