Read the full article from the Chronicle of Higher Education here.
In 2025, 91直播 received acknowledgement and accolades from several outlets and organizations. As this year of growth and accomplishment comes to an end, the university has just been given its newest title, The Comeback College, in an article in , published December 4.
While it鈥檚 no secret that La 91直播 has faced struggles, the University and its faculty and staff have been working hard to make the university more successful than it鈥檚 ever been. And that work is paying off.
The Chronicle article highlights all the things that have been happening at 20th and Olney, including insight from University President, Daniel J. Allen, Ph.D., and Vice President for Enrollment Management and Marketing, Greg Nayor, Ph.D., to show the thought and care behind the decisions that are helping La 91直播 go from strength to strength.
Journalist Eric Hoover highlights four main pillars that are helping drive the growth in enrollment: adding sports teams and enhancing community, reworking enrollment operations and personalizing outreach, rethinking recruitment and financial aid, and adding offerings and expanding access.
Looking at athletics and community, the article highlights the introduction of rugby, triathlon, and acrobatics and tumbling to the women鈥檚 sports roster, and the reintroduction of baseball. As well as these team sports, the dance and cheerleader squads are being expanded, and a pep band started, which is just as much a draw as the teams.
In the fall, two residence halls were reopened, needed to house the 300 more new and returning Explorers living on campus in 2025, part of the largest class at the University since 2018. To support all these students on campus, and enhance their higher education journey, a new assistant vice president for student success has been hired, and the second floor of the Connelly Library has turned into a hub offering tutoring, advising, and many other services to students.
鈥淭he idea here is to situate our facilities in ways that drive communities,鈥 Allen told The Chronicle, 鈥so students feel seen and known.鈥
When it comes to enrollment and outreach, processes have been streamlined and modernized, leading to recruitment campaigns that in turn lead to enrollment success.
Communications with prospective students have been personalized, and campus visits have been changed to make sure every prospective student knows that they are seen and valued as a future Explorer.
鈥淲hen it comes to growing and sustaining enrollment,鈥 Nayor said in the article, 鈥渄oing a whole bunch of little things well makes a difference.鈥
Recruitment and financial aid, which make up the third pillar highlight by The Chronicle as part of La 91直播鈥檚 comeback, have also been revamped by Nayor and his team.
Instead of blindly targeting high school students, La 91直播 is looking to those who have expressed an interest in the key majors offered, who have shown interest in attending a Catholic institution, and who鈥檝e shown that they have exceptional grades. The university is also paying attention to where they look for students, focusing on areas that have similar demographics to the Philadelphia region.
Financial aid is also being reworked, with students receiving offers sooner and a move away from the 鈥渓ate-aid鈥 strategy.
Finally, new degree offerings including sport-management and cybersecurity, are drawing students interested in these new and emerging fields. These new degrees, alongside the opening of the听Miguel听Campos School, which houses several associate degree programs, are offering new pathways for everyone interested in getting into higher education.听听
鈥淲e feel great about the progress we鈥檝e made,鈥 Allen told The Chronicle, 鈥渁nd are clear-sighted about the work that we still have left to do.鈥
-Naomi Thomas