In 2005, Delaware State University’s enrollment stood at just over 3,700; 79 percent of the students were African-American, 14 percent were White, 1 percent Hispanic and 1 percent Asian.
By 2014, enrollment at this historically Black university had ballooned to the highest in its history: 4,644. University officials are expecting a slight bump in enrollment this year. The demographics have changed dramatically. Now, 63 percent of the students are Black. White enrollment is down slightly—to 12 percent. Hispanic enrollment has soared to 5 percent. The percentage of students who categorize themselves as “other” is nearly four times what it was in 2005—at 19 percent.
Diversity, one of the institution’s core values, is prominently celebrated throughout the campus. International students sometimes team up with cafeteria staff to cook dishes from their native lands for the student body. An assortment of international and Hispanic student events dot the academic calendar.
In an age when most HBCUs are struggling with declining enrollment, Delaware State University is thriving.
University officials say their good fortune is due to a broad range of factors, including a revamped marketing strategy and a significantly heightened commitment to building partnerships with universities abroad. Delaware State currently has MOUs with 25 universities in 12 countries and has stepped up its efforts to encourage students to participate in study abroad programs.
Dr. Harry Williams, who became president in 2010, insists that producing competitive graduates, not increasing enrollment, is what sparked these initiatives.
“Our sole focus is … being relevant and competitive,” says Williams. “If you don’t do these things you will not survive. The plus side is that it has helped enrollment. … A lot of HBCUs are struggling with enrollment. If you don’t change your business model, you will be out of business. You have to look at other avenues to be relevant and be competitive.”
