June 10, 2024

Dear William Paterson Faculty and Staff,

I hope everyone’s summer is going well. A reminder that, while the University is closed for the next two Fridays as part of our normal summer schedule, the State will observe the Juneteenth holiday on Friday, June 21 to commemorate the date in 1865 when enslaved people in Galveston, Texas finally learned of their freedom. Also, this Friday, June 14 is Flag Day, which commemorates the date in 1777 when the United States approved the design for its first national flag.

Turning to enrollment, as of last Thursday, overall enrollment for Fall 2024 stands at 6,128 students, which represents a 4.5% increase over this point last year. Main campus enrollment, however, stands at 4,274 students for Fall 2024, which is a 4.3% decrease over last year at this time. Continuing student overall enrollment of 4,787 is 22.8% ahead of last year, with main campus continuing students currently at 3,380, which is 4.2% ahead of last year. Overall, new student applications are up 16.6% and accepted students are up 17.7%. There are currently 1,033 first-year student deposits, which is 23.6% ahead of last year's number, following the recent June 1 deadline. Overall, new student enrollment for Fall 2024 is up 4.7%. 

The offices of Alumni Relations, Annual Giving, and Marketing and Public Relations are embarking on an alumni recognition program entitled 50 Under 50, which will highlight a diverse mix of WP alumni in various industries with the goal of cultivating relationships and fostering engagement with the University. We are seeking suggestions for alumni who have made a meaningful impact in one or more areas, such as business, entrepreneurship, research, technology, science, healthcare, the arts, education, sports, entertainment, DEI, public service, philanthropy and/or the community, in line with the mission and values of the University. If you are interested in suggesting one or more alumni for consideration, please complete this form by Thursday, June 20.

This week’s WP: We are Proud – Congratulations to Dean Amy Ginsberg, Associate Dean David Fuentes, and everyone in the College of Education on securing a $564,000 award from the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development as part of its Growing Apprenticeship in Nontraditional Sectors (GAINS) program. The funding will support our innovative, apprenticeship-based educator preparation program and help more underrepresented student apprentices go on to meet the State’s need for more highly-qualified certified educators in our schools. The College of Education’s Teacher Registered Apprenticeship Program (T-RAP) places teacher candidates in local partner schools, where they serve critical roles as emerging educators who are supervised and mentored on an academic path toward becoming certified teachers. By training those supervisors and teachers who will work with emerging educators, while also providing funding for student support services, like travel, food, utilities, and other related expenses, GAINS will remove barriers to on-the-job training for more students to gain certification and position them for career success in New Jersey’s schools.

Until my next planned communication on Monday, June 24, have a great couple of weeks!