The Enduring Opportunity Scholarship was created to permanently sustain 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock鈥檚 commitment to affordability, supporting initiatives such as the Half-Off Scholarship and the Trojan Guarantee.

The effort was launched following a transformative $7.5 million gift from the Windgate Foundation. As part of that investment, Windgate challenged the university to raise $1.5 million to unlock the final $1.5 million of its commitment. By meeting that challenge, 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock will transform the foundation鈥檚 original gift into a $9 million permanent source of scholarship support.

This milestone moves the university closer to ensuring that financial hardship is never the reason a student walks away from a degree.

鈥淭his investment ensures that students 鈥� not just today, but for years to come 鈥� can earn a high-quality degree without overwhelming financial burden,鈥� said Chancellor Christina S. Drale. 鈥淭hat kind of stability strengthens families, communities, and our state.鈥�

The Phase One milestone was made possible through coordinated efforts across Advancement, Enrollment, and Marketing and Communications, who worked together to engage alumni and supporters with targeted outreach and student impact stories.

With Phase One complete, the university now turns its focus to raising the remaining $1 million before the June 30, 2027 deadline, with leaders hopeful the goal can be met even earlier.

Christian O鈥橬eal, Vice Chancellor for Advancement, said the early momentum reflects strong belief in the university鈥檚 direction and mission.

鈥淥ur donors understand that this is about long-term access,鈥� O鈥橬eal said. 鈥淭hey believe in what鈥檚 happening at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock, and they鈥檙e stepping forward to be part of it. Raising $500,000 ahead of schedule sends a clear message that we have the support and the resolve to finish this challenge.鈥�

Phase One donors who established Enduring Opportunity Endowed Scholarships include:

• Christina S. Drale
• Mary and Sean Glancy (via J.R. Bizzell)
• The Stevens Family
• Rodney M. Abston Family
• Carol and James Hendren
• The Shuffield Family
• Dr. Eleanor Kennedy and Dr. Lee Able
• Joni and George Lee
• 35+ faculty and staff聽
• Anonymous donors

Their generosity is already impacting students like Erryn Washington, a nursing student who said receiving scholarship support changed her college experience.

鈥淲hen I received my scholarship, it felt like a huge weight was lifted off my shoulders,鈥� Washington said. 鈥淏efore that, I worried constantly about how I was going to pay for school. Now I can focus on finishing my degree and preparing for a career in healthcare.鈥�

Every gift to the Enduring Opportunity Scholarship helps unlock the full Windgate investment and strengthens 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock鈥檚 long-term commitment to keeping education within reach for students across Arkansas.

To learn more or to make a gift, visit /centennial/enduring-opportunity/

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糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock’s undergraduate enrollment increased by 3.7 percent, with 5,434 students enrolled this fall compared to 5,242 in Fall 2023. The university also saw a remarkable rise in undergraduate applications (16.7 percent) and admissions (19.4 percent). Although graduate enrollment declined slightly, dropping from 1,535 to 1,479, this was primarily due to a decrease in international student numbers.

“This enrollment growth is a direct result of the hard work and creative thinking of our faculty, staff, and leadership teams,鈥� said Chancellor Christina S. Drale. 鈥淓veryone at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock has a role in creating an environment that welcomes students and supports their success. These enrollment figures reflect that collective effort.”

The combined undergraduate and graduate enrollment increased by two percent compared to Fall 2023, with student semester credit hours rising by four percent. These figures do not include concurrent high school students or those enrolled at the William H. Bowen School of Law, which are reported separately.

Freshmen and Transfer Student Growth Fuel Enrollment Surge

糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock experienced significant increases in first-time freshmen and transfer students.

First-time freshman enrollment surged by 28.9 percent, rising from 357 students in Fall 2023 to 460 in Fall 2024. This marks the second-highest first-time freshman percent increase in the university鈥檚 history, closely trailing the record-breaking 30 percent increase in 2022.

Transfer student enrollment also saw unprecedented growth, with an 18.2 percent increase over last year. Transfer students increased from 665 in Fall 2023 to 786 this semester, the highest percentage increase in transfer enrollment ever recorded at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock.

Scholarship Initiatives Drive Affordability

鈥溙切腣log传媒 Little Rock continues to lead in affordability, and we are thrilled to see more families choosing our institution due to our unwavering commitment to accessible, high-quality education,鈥� said Dr. Cody Decker, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs and Chief Data Officer. 鈥淭he growth in freshman and transfer student numbers highlights how our focus on reducing financial barriers empowers more students to pursue higher education.鈥�

The university鈥檚 scholarship initiatives have been key to reducing costs for students and families. Last year, 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock launched the Trojan Guarantee, a scholarship covering full tuition for Pell-eligible students. This program builds on the Half-Off Scholarship, introduced in 2020, which offers significant tuition discounts to students regardless of income.

鈥淩eceiving the Trojan Guarantee Scholarship has made college affordable for me because my only remaining expenses are books and personal items,鈥� said Alejandra Villa, a freshman criminal justice major. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a relief not to worry about tuition, and I can focus fully on my studies. I chose 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock because it鈥檚 close to home, and there are so many opportunities to get involved on campus.鈥�

A Strategic Focus on Student Success

In addition to scholarship support, 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock has made substantial investments in its academic programs, campus facilities, and industry partnerships. These efforts include expanding internship opportunities and enhancing hands-on learning experiences, providing students unique advantages as they prepare for careers in Arkansas鈥檚 Capital City.

鈥淲e have worked diligently to balance affordability with enhancing the quality of our academic offerings and campus environment,鈥� added Dr. Decker. 鈥淚t鈥檚 gratifying to see that these efforts resonate with students and families, as more students choose 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock for their higher education journey.鈥�

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