Dear MGA Community,
Numbers tell stories. And right now, ours is worth reading.
Last week at our Dublin Campus, I delivered the State of the University address with student success at the center. This spring, we have a real chance to accelerate that work.
We just posted our largest spring enrollment in University history — on the heels of a record-setting fall of 8,800 students. More people are choosing MGA because of the quality, value, and opportunity this institution delivers every day.
But growth brings responsibility. As an access university, we take pride in opening doors. Opening them, however, isn't the same as helping students walk through. Persistence, progress, graduation — that's the work that matters most.
In just one year, learning support math success rates climbed 13.1 percent. Learning support English success rates rose 6.8 percent. Those aren't just statistics; they represent students who might have stumbled but didn't — because faculty and staff refused to let them. To everyone doing that work: thank you.
That same momentum spans every level of the institution. In December, we celebrated the first graduates of our Doctor of Science in Public Safety program. That was a significant milestone that underscores how far MGA has come and the breadth of opportunities we now provide.
Now we're pushing further. I've challenged our deans, department chairs, and staff to identify barriers, streamline processes, and clear the path to graduation. In the coming weeks, I'll announce a new integrated student success initiative, informed by our National Institute for Student Success report. It will align our efforts into one comprehensive, University-wide approach that supports students from enrollment through graduation.
Our commitment to student success extends beyond the classroom. Thanks to our Division of Advancement, 2025 was a record-breaking year in philanthropic fundraising. As we move into MGA's next capital campaign, I invite each of us to embrace our value of Stewardship and support this vital work — together investing in our students, our region, and our shared future.
Let's make this spring our strongest semester yet.
Go Knights!
Chris