Congratulations to all of our graduate students who embarked on their education in 2020! We are so proud of their accomplishments and ability to manage their time and lives with full-time work, family obligations, and school. Our Doctor of Chiropractic and Doctor of Educational Leadership programs had record enrollments this past fall, and we are so happy for our teacher certification and Physician Assistant students who began their education during a pandemic. Their commitment to their fields of study during an uncertain time speaks volumes about their ambition and compassion for our community.
With the help of UB’s faculty, staff, and current students, the Admissions Office held its first, large-scale virtual events since last summer. The Spring Open Houses held on February 6 and March 14 were a tremendous success. Between the two events, UB had more than 1,000 prospective undergraduate students in attendance from all over the country and around the world. At these events, the students received a message from our president, participated in a live student panel, met their future professors in live academic breakout sessions, took a tour of campus led by our current students, and were able to discuss next steps with Financial Aid and Admissions officers. We are looking forward to our upcoming virtual events including Accepted Students Day on April 10, Open House on April 25, and Transfer Open House on June 5.
In February 2021, the Admissions Office reopened our doors to prospective students and families visiting campus to meet with Admissions officers and take a tour of campus with one of our current students. Over 180 families have visited the University of Bridgeport so far with opportunities to do so Monday through Thursday and select Saturdays. The Admissions Office is planning to add additional, in-person, program-specific events in the near future.
The Admissions Office is also pleased to announce the Purple Knights Summer Scholars Program. This is a program for students whose academic performance does not currently reflect their true potential. This four-week program will prepare students for the challenges of college-level work in a supportive and structured academic environment. This is a residential program in which students and their future classmates will live and learn together and receive services designed to build the skills that will ensure their success in college and beyond.
In an effort to strengthen our relationship with the City of Bridgeport community, the Admissions Office is working with local outreach programs to see how we can help students reach their educational and career goals. UB is offering an additional $2,000 scholarship to any of the three winners of the Black History Month Essay Contest, hosted by the City of Bridgeport and Bridgeport Public Schools, who enroll at UB.
The Admissions Office is very excited about the future partnership with Goodwin University. Since the announcement in October that the University of Bridgeport will remain an independent institution, the Admissions Office has been moving full steam ahead towards recruiting successful spring, summer, and fall 2021 incoming classes.