Members of the incoming Class of 2028 pose for their class photo Friday.

As the new academic year kicks off, the State University of New York at Fredonia is celebrating the largest number of new incoming students to campus in the past three years. These new students will join the rest of the campus community as classes officially begin Monday.

“We are pleased to see the increase in new students this year,” said Vice President for Enrollment Management and Services Kathryn Kendall. “Despite the ongoing challenges, such as demographic shifts, economic pressures on families, and the complexities introduced by changes to the FAFSA process, we are thrilled that so many students have chosen SUNY Fredonia for its strong academic programs and engaging campus environment.”

As of Aug. 15, 1,034 first-year, transfer, and new graduate students will join the Fredonia community. The enrollment numbers for this fall include a 10% rise in first-year student enrollment compared to last year, while graduate enrollment has surged by an impressive 34% year-over-year. Applications increased by 7% for first-year students and 13% for graduate students. Fredonia’s acceptance rate dropped by 2%, showing academic standards continue to remain strong at the university.

“As SUNY Fredonia continues to grow, the university remains committed to providing a supportive, academically enriching environment that prepares students for success both during their time on campus and beyond,” said Fredonia President Stephen H. Kolison Jr. “This class is a testament to the changes we have made to our recruitment strategy, putting more resources into enrollment infrastructure and marketing. With such a strong incoming class, the future looks bright for Fredonia and its students.”

The incoming class of students includes three high school valedictorians and four salutatorians. Besides schools across New York state, students are arriving to Fredonia from 19 other states and 10 foreign countries.

Among the incoming students is Gavin Bloder, a marketing major who emphasized Fredonia’s small-campus feel and supportive community. “Fredonia just feels like everybody wants you to succeed and get to the next step, rather than just throwing you into the real world where you are more independent like most big schools,” said Bloder, who will be on the men’s hockey team. ” I feel like with Fredonia’s small campus and support that you can grow as a student-athlete.”

Katie Wilson, majoring in Childhood Inclusive Education, echoed similar sentiments about Fredonia’s welcoming atmosphere. “When I stepped onto the campus last February, I immediately felt like I was at home and from that day forward I knew right where I belonged,” Wilson said. She was particularly drawn to the diverse range of majors and minors offered at Fredonia, as well as the opportunities to teach in other countries. “To me, that sounds awesome and like something I would love to do in my college career,” she added.

Victoria Green, who is transferring into Fredonia’s Computer Science program, said she was comfortable on campus as well. “I decided to come from the city to upstate New York because I knew I wanted to be surrounded by nature, friendly people and a place where I can be myself like in a liberal arts school,” Greene said. “I visited campus during this year’s Multicultural Weekend, and the weekend highlighted some of the amazing and talented students at Fredonia.”

Kendall pointed to enhanced collaboration with academic departments and the Fredonia College Foundation, evolving marketing strategies, and more direct communication with students as some of the reasons for the increase in new students.

Wilson also highlighted Fredonia’s location, saying it offers the perfect balance of distance from home and the opportunity for independence. “The space gives me that sense of being able to branch out and try new things while still being a good distance away,” she explained.“I am beyond excited to start my time at Fredonia. I believe that these next four years will help me shape my future. Simply because of what Fredonia will offer for me!”

Along with the encouraging trend in new students, retention efforts at the university are also yielding results. Fredonia’s first-year retention rate is 78%, which is above the national average, while continuing overall student enrollment is at the national average of 67%.