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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Growth extends well beyond the freshman class. Sophomore and junior enrollments also increased, contributing to a 4.1% rise in total undergraduate enrollment. The enrollment surge marks the largest percent increase in overall undergraduate enrollment growth at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock since 2009. Additionally, on-campus housing occupancy climbed 9.2% compared to last fall, with more students choosing to live and learn in the heart of Little Rock.

糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock鈥檚 Corporate Partnership Program also continues its rapid expansion. The program provides opportunities for employees of Corporate Partners to reskill and upskill at a lowered tuition rate. This program enrolled 474 students this fall from more than 120 local and regional corporate partners. This represents a 40.7% increase in participation over last year. By creating pathways for working professionals, the program strengthens workforce development across Arkansas while expanding access to higher education.

At the graduate level, overall enrollment is projected to decline 9.5% (141 students), primarily due to a drop in international enrollment. However, several programs, including Engineering and Engineering Technology, Mass Communication, Social Work, and Criminal Justice and Criminology, reported notable graduate-level growth.

鈥淭he continued momentum we are seeing this fall is a testament to the dedication of our faculty and staff, the hard work of our students, and the distinctive programs that make 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock an outstanding choice,鈥� said Dr. Christina S. Drale, 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock chancellor. 鈥淚t鈥檚 exciting to see so many students choosing to launch their futures here in Little Rock, knowing their contributions will strengthen our communities and support growth across Arkansas and the region.鈥�

This growth is fueled by stronger connections with schools, communities, and industry partners, creating new pathways for students to access and succeed in higher education.

鈥淭hese tremendous enrollment gains reflect the growing number of students and families recognizing the value and quality of a 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock education,鈥� added Dr. W. Cody Decker, vice chancellor for student affairs and chief data officer. 鈥淲e鈥檙e especially proud of the multi-year growth in our freshman class, which will have a lasting positive impact on our campus community.鈥�

The growth reflects both the strength of our academic programs and our commitment to affordability, as many 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock students continue taking advantage of affordability initiatives like the Trojan Guarantee and Half-Off Scholarship. These programs provide Arkansans with an affordable way to access a high-quality education. In fall 2024, 615 students benefited from these initiatives. Since their inception, the programs have supported 1,425 students, resulting in $5,666,400 in total savings 鈥� an average of $3,184 per recipient.聽聽

糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock anticipates enrolling approximately 8,000 students this fall, representing a 1.2% increase over last year. Student semester credit hours are expected to rise by 4.0%, and full-time equivalent enrollment is projected to grow by 3.9%.

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“We are thrilled to see a significant increase in enrollment for 2025, which reflects the dedication of our faculty, staff, and students in making 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock a dynamic and welcoming place to learn,鈥� said Chancellor Christina S. Drale. 鈥淥ur strategic focus on expanding access and enhancing the educational experience has helped us welcome more students to campus as they build their career path to the future.鈥�

糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock reports a surge in undergraduate interest for the fall 2025 semester, with applications up by 37.4% and admissions rising 50.1% compared to fall 2024. Growth is particularly pronounced among first-time freshmen, whose applications have increased by 58.8%, and admissions are up 82.2%. Freshmen transfer student interest has also grown, with applications up 19% and admissions increasing 26.1%.

“Under Chancellor Drale’s leadership, 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock has experienced remarkable growth in the number of students choosing our university to begin and complete their higher education journey,” said Dr. W. Cody Decker, vice chancellor for student affairs and chief data officer. “Compared to the same time last year for fall 2024, which was a record-breaking year in enrollment, first-time freshman admissions for fall 2025 have nearly doubled.”

A key factor driving interest is 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock’s robust scholarship offerings, such as the Trojan Guarantee, which provides a zero-cost bachelor鈥檚 degree for qualifying incoming freshmen, and the popular half-off tuition scholarship.

鈥淭he continued momentum in our enrollment numbers is exciting,鈥� Decker added. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a testament to the hard work of our team and the value of a 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock education. We are eager to welcome more students to campus and to support their academic and personal growth.鈥�

For more information about admissions and academic programs, visit 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Admissions.

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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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Preliminary figures show a remarkable 26.6% increase in first-time freshmen, with enrollment rising from 353 to 447 students. Transfer student enrollment also saw a strong 18.3% growth, growing from 656 to 776 students. Overall undergraduate enrollment increased by 3.5%, from 5,255 to 5,439 students. However, graduate enrollment experienced a decline, dropping from 1,546 to 1,441 students, primarily due to a decrease in international student numbers. Early enrollment data also indicate an overall increase in student headcount and credit hours for fall 2024. These figures do not include concurrent high school students or those enrolled at the Bowen School of Law.

鈥淭his enrollment growth is a direct result of the hard work and dedication of our faculty, staff, and administration,鈥� said Chancellor Christina S. Drale. 鈥淓veryone at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock has contributed to creating an environment that not only attracts students but supports their success, and these enrollment figures reflect that collective effort.鈥�

Last year, 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock launched the Trojan Guarantee, a scholarship initiative covering full tuition for Pell-eligible students. This builds on the Half-Off Scholarship, introduced in 2020, offering substantial tuition reductions without income requirements.

“糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock continues to lead in affordability, and we are thrilled to see more families choosing our institution due to an unwavering commitment to providing accessible, comprehensive, and high-quality education,” said Dr. Cody Decker, vice chancellor for student affairs and chief data officer. “The growth in freshman and transfer student numbers highlights how 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock鈥檚 focus on accessibility and excellence makes a higher education credential attainable for more students. Our efforts to lower financial barriers empower more students to take full advantage of the opportunities at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock.”

In recent years, 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock has significantly invested in upgrading academic facilities, strengthening industry partnerships, and expanding internship opportunities. These initiatives, coupled with the university鈥檚 strategic emphasis on affordability, resonate with students and their families who recognize the unique benefits of studying in Arkansas’s Capital City.

鈥淲e鈥檝e worked diligently to balance enhancing affordability and improving the quality of our academic and campus environment,鈥� Dr. Decker added. 鈥淚t鈥檚 gratifying to see that these investments are paying off, as more students are choosing 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock as their destination for higher education.鈥�

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Coming in at No. 10, this story told the legacy and impact of Howard Williams, a former truck driver who headed the Arkansas Contractors Licensing Board for decades. He鈥檚 known for his unwavering support for the education and advancement of young construction professionals in Arkansas, including helping to found the Construction Management program at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock.

The heartwarming tale of Professor Julien Mirivel, an expert in the field of positive communication, becoming a U.S. citizen 29 years after he first arrived in the country as a high school exchange student is the ninth most popular story of the year.

It鈥檚 hard to imagine earning the title of a Distinguished Alumni without being popular at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock! The story honoring the winners of the 2023 Distinguished Alumni Awards 鈥� Oscar Horton, Bill Mathis, Jr., Stephanie Caruthers, and Nancy Secen 鈥� earned its spot in the Top 10 stories of 2023.

2023 has been an exciting year for Dr. Sloan Davidson, director of the School of Nursing at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock. A story about her being named to Soiree Magazine鈥檚 2023 Class of Women to Watch proved to be the seventh most popular story of 2023.

糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Centennial Campaign Member James Bobo is a well-known personality around campus and Little Rock. The story of Bobo being selected as the 2023 Taste of Little Rock Honoree made the list as the sixth most popular story of the year.

Families are always looking for fun ways to spend the summer months, and a story on a free cybersecurity summer camp for junior high and high school students was very popular at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock, coming in fifth on the list.

Student scholarships are always popular with college students and their families, which is why it was no surprise that the announcement of a new matching scholarship for 糖心Vlog传媒-Pulaski Tech students who transfer to 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock came in as the fourth most popular story of 2023.

The 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock community was excited to welcome Colin Crawford as the new dean of the William H. Bowen School of Law in July, rounding out the top three stories of 2023.

The penultimate story of last year proved the continued popularity of student scholarship programs across Arkansas. The launch of Trojan Guarantee, a groundbreaking initiative designed to break down financial barriers and empower freshmen to earn a bachelor鈥檚 degree with no tuition cost, came in as the second top story of the year.

Coming in as the top story of 2023 is the tale of doctoral student Ranjitha Hariharalakshmanan, who won a prestigious national graduate student award from the AVS for her materials science research into creating a more efficient method of water purification!

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糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock has announced a new scholarship program, Trojan Guarantee, a groundbreaking initiative designed to break down financial barriers and empower freshmen to earn a bachelor鈥檚 degree with no tuition cost.

鈥淚 am excited to announce Trojan Guarantee, a program designed to help you earn a college degree with zero tuition cost,鈥� 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Chancellor Christina S. Drale conveyed in a written announcement to campus visitors. 鈥淭his program represents an opportunity for students to expect more for themselves and their future, without accumulating significant debt.鈥�

University leaders made the announcement Nov. 8 during Discover, one of 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock鈥檚 largest admissions events where more than 1,100 potential students and their family members visited campus to explore everything the university has to offer.

“Extending beyond the half-off scholarship, which is available to all freshmen, regardless of income, the Trojan Guarantee covers the cost of tuition not covered by the Pell Grant and Arkansas Challenge Scholarship,” said Dr. Cody Decker, vice chancellor for student affairs and chief data officer. “糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock has long led in affordability for middle-class families, and the Trojan Guarantee takes this one big step further to ensure all Arkansans have an affordable degree pathway from 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock.鈥�

The Trojan Guarantee program is tailored for Pell Grant-eligible students who also receive the Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarship. This is an important population for 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock, as approximately 50 percent of freshmen and 58 percent of undergraduate students are eligible to receive Pell grants. The scholarship will cover the remaining tuition and mandatory fee costs after other financial aid has been applied, ensuring these students will not pay any tuition to earn a bachelor’s degree from 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock.

Trojan Guarantee will be available to all first-time and transferring full-time freshmen who begin 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock in the fall 2024 semester. The scholarship will be renewable for three years, covering all four years at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock for eligible students. 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock anticipates awarding the first round of Trojan Guarantee scholarships to approximately 200 freshmen during the 2024-25 academic year.

Trojan Guarantee is funded by a combination of institutional and private funds. All students need to do to be considered for Trojan Guarantee is to apply for admission, submit the FAFSA form, and apply for the Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarship. There are no additional requirements to live or work on campus.

This program is only one aspect of 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock鈥檚 ongoing work to ensure affordability for all students. 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock launched the half-off scholarship in 2020, which has so far provided nearly 950 students with the opportunity to attend 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock with half-off tuition, regardless of their family income, to the tune of $2.9 million in scholarships. Additionally, 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock students who receive the half-off scholarship as well as the Academic Challenge Scholarship can complete a four-year bachelor鈥檚 degree for just $14,000.

鈥淚 am grateful to so many both on campus and in the community who have helped ensure that we continue leading in affordability efforts for Arkansas students,鈥� Chancellor Drale said. 鈥淚t all started several years ago, with a transformative anonymous gift of $25 million that allowed us to launch the groundbreaking half-off scholarship. I am excited for this next step in ensuring 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock is affordable for all.鈥�

Future 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock students can find out more information by visiting and can apply for free at using the code Trojans2024.

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