|
March 23, 2026
Dear William Paterson Faculty and Staff,
Happy Spring, and I hope everyone has had a good few weeks. With the return from Spring Break, there are less than two months to go until the end of the semester, and it will be an increasingly busy and exciting time on campus, including some of the events highlighted below.
First, though, an enrollment update. Spring 2026 enrollment is currently tracking just ahead of last year, at 0.26% growth, and remains within 1% of our overall headcount goal, though we anticipate finishing slightly below target – approximately 2% – once the enrollment drop and Census II are finalized. Main Campus degree-seeking enrollment is down 2.43%, year over year, and continuing enrollment is also slightly behind last year. Summer enrollment is showing mixed signals, with unique headcount down but credit hours up across both sessions.
Looking to Fall 2026, applications are trending positively overall, with domestic applications up 3.43%, including growth in first-time/full-time, transfer, and graduate populations, while international applications are currently behind last year. Deposit activity is also trending behind last year by 36 students, which reflects a broader shift in student behavior, as families are taking more time to compare financial aid offers and net-cost across institutions. At the same time, FAFSA submissions to WP are up and engagement indicators remain strong, including an 11% increase in RSVPs for our upcoming Will. Power. Day for admitted students, this Saturday, March 28. National data reflects similar pressures, with many Middle States institutions reporting lag in deposits. Based on these indicators and along with targeted yield strategies already underway, we have reason to believe we can close the gap as the cycle continues, though this will require sustained focus on student outreach, financial aid clarity, and conversion efforts in the weeks ahead. I know everyone in Enrollment Management and those who are helping support Will. Power. Day are working hard, and we all appreciate their efforts.
This Thursday, March 26, the campus community will gather in UC Ballrooms B/C at 12:30 p.m. for the kickoff of William Paterson’s Asian Cultural Celebration, and I hope you can attend. This year’s theme is “Power in Unity: Strengthening Communities Together” and the scheduled keynote speaker is Danielle Iwata, Director of Organizing for AAPI New Jersey. Please click here to learn more and to RSVP.
Other upcoming events include First Thursday, on April 2, when I hope you can join me and your colleagues to socialize over light refreshments from 4:00-5:30 p.m. in Hobart Manor. In addition, it will be an opportunity to recognize faculty who have recently been recommended by me to the Board of Trustees for promotion to full professor. Also coming up is the President’s Diversity Lecture on Tuesday, April 7, at 5:00 p.m. in University Commons 168A/B. This year’s speaker is nationally recognized diversity and higher education leader Paulette Granberry Russell, who will speak on “Achieving Inclusive Excellence: Aligning Mission and Values in a Changing Policy Landscape.” Please watch your email for additional information on this event.
We all know what a great, historic season our Pioneer Women’s Basketball team had, including winning the NJAC regular season title with an undefeated record in conference play and earning a spot in the NCAA Tournament. Further validation of their success came recently when Coach Erin Monahan was named ECAC Coach of the Year for the first time in her career, and student-athlete Renee Wells was named to the All-ECAC First Team. Congratulations to them, both, and to the entire team and coaching staff on a terrific season!
| 
