Private HBCU thrives with data-informed strategy, mission-driven leadership, and a renewed focus on excellence through access

HAMPTON, Va., Nov. 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- In an era when many colleges face shrinking applicant pools and rising skepticism about the value of higher education, Hampton University is achieving the opposite: record enrollment, rising retention, and renewed national attention.

Since 2022, the private, historically Black institution has achieved a 44% increase in undergraduate enrollment and a 46% overall surge, one of the most significant growth trends among private HBCUs nationwide.

While national enrollment across U.S. colleges has inched upward by only 2–3% in recent years, Hampton's gains far outpace the average and have propelled the university to its highest enrollment in more than a decade, rising from approximately 3,300 students in 2016 to over 4,600 in 2025. Specifically, the increases in the last three years point to compelling successes. Over the last three years, overall enrollment increased by 44%, rising from 3,264 students in 2022 to 4,686 in 2025.

Retention tells an equally compelling story. Hampton maintains a 93% fall-to-spring retention rate, 96% among freshmen and 94% among continuing students, and an 84% spring-to-fall rate, reflecting strong student connection, satisfaction, and continuity.

Not only are students choosing Hampton; they are staying, thriving, and completing their degrees.

A General's Vision for Hampton's Future

When President Williams assumed the presidency, he recognized that the future of higher education was shifting beneath the feet of institutions across the nation. A proud Hampton alumnus from the Class of 1983, he returned to his alma mater in 2022 drawing on more than three decades of experience leading complex organizations through change. He brought a disciplined, mission-driven framework and the belief that "standing still is never a strategy." With precision, purpose, and people working in lockstep, he introduced a strategic plan that provided the clarity and direction needed to navigate a rapidly evolving landscape.

His leadership has shaped the university's resurgence, guiding Hampton into a new era defined by data-informed strategy, coordinated execution, and a renewed commitment to excellence through access. "Our growth is intentional and directly tied to our strategic plan," said Williams. "It reflects a university that honors its legacy while embracing the future, one student, one family, one community at a time."

That renewed clarity of purpose, grounded by the board-approved "Elevating Hampton Excellence" strategic plan, has been translated into measurable progress across every corner of the institution. From the student experience to academic innovation, from workforce development to community impact, Hampton is advancing with intention, and with unmistakable momentum.

A Shifting Landscape, A Coordinated Response

The 2023 Supreme Court decision ending race-based admissions reshaped how colleges across the country attract and evaluate students. For Hampton, it became a catalyst for innovation.

Rather than relying on historical recruitment models, Hampton launched a comprehensive and coordinated admissions strategy that reimagined how it connects with students and families, prioritizing technical acumen, leadership potential, and community engagement as key indicators of success.

"We've never needed policy to define our purpose," said Dr. Barbara Inman, vice president for Student Success and Enrollment Management. "Our approach has always been to find promise and surround it with support. What's different now is the precision; we're using data, relationships, and humanity in equal measure."

A Steady Climb: From Stability to Momentum

Hampton's climb has been both steady and strategic.

Guided by the mantra of delivering the #1 student experience in America, the university saw a 10% increase from 2022 as digital recruitment tools and high-touch outreach began to take hold. By 2024, enrollment surpassed 4,200 students, a 16% increase, marking consecutive years of record-breaking growth.

"This is not a spike; it's a sustained trajectory," said Angela Boyd, assistant vice president for Enrollment Management and dean of Admission. "We've built a recruitment ecosystem where admissions, student success, and alumni engagement operate in sync, and students and their parents can feel that cohesion the moment they arrive."

High-Tech, High-Touch: A Modern Admissions Model

Hampton's admissions team has built a playbook that combines predictive analytics with personalized engagement.

Recruitment efforts now include data-informed outreach, early partnerships with high schools and community colleges, and campus events such as High School Day, Honors Visitation Day, Admitted Students Day, and regional site visits that immerse families in the Hampton experience.

Alumni are also deeply involved, serving as trusted ambassadors at regional receptions, mentoring prospective students, and reinforcing the university's message: Hampton is not just a college; it's a community.

"Families make decisions based on trust," Boyd said. "We're showing them that Hampton delivers value through visibility, connection, and belonging."

Belonging by Design: From Enrollment to Retention

Hampton's strategy extends beyond recruitment; it's about keeping students and helping them thrive.

The university's "Belonging by Design" framework intentionally weaves community into every stage of the student journey. From pre-enrollment experiences to campus mentoring programs, the model reinforces Hampton's belief that students stay where they feel they belong.

"We have redefined retention as a measure of belonging," said Inman. "Every program, every touchpoint, every mentor connection is part of that design."

Climate survey data illustrates why retention is rising. Between 2022 and 2024, students reported meaningful gains in academic support, faculty accessibility, and overall campus connection. These improvements mirror the emotional and academic conditions that research shows are most strongly correlated with persistence. At Hampton, the connection is direct: as student satisfaction climbs, so do retention rates.

The data validates this approach. Hampton's six-year graduation rate rose from 54% to 64% between 2022 and 2025, even as national retention averages plateaued.

"Listening to students isn't just part of our process; it's part of our identity," added Inman. "We measure what matters: experience, belonging, and results."

Programs That Build Purpose

Hampton's vibrant campus life is powered by 100 or more student organizations and programs that help students find community, develop confidence, and shape their identity. These include a wide range of pre-professional and academic clubs, fraternities and sororities rooted in service and scholarship, the William R. Harvey Leadership Institute, and the highly competitive Greer Dawson Wilson Student Leadership Development Program, which has long stood as a cornerstone of leadership training at Hampton.

Yet beyond this rich ecosystem, two hallmark initiatives most powerfully underscore the university's focus on student identity, leadership, and purpose:

The Hampton Male Initiative (HMI) provides academic and social support for male undergraduates, emphasizing mentoring, leadership development, and professional readiness. This intentional engagement has contributed to a noticeable increase in male enrollment over the past three years, from 28% to 33%, reflecting growing interest and confidence in Hampton's ability to support and empower male scholars.

InspireHer: The Hampton Women's Initiative, championed by First Lady Myra Williams '83, empowers women through networking, career readiness programming, and leadership workshops designed to cultivate confidence, clarity, and community.

"These programs translate our values into outcomes," said Inman. "They position students to feel seen and supported. Our data show that when belonging is intentional, achievement follows."

Academic and Campus Transformation

Hampton's enrollment growth has been matched by a surge in campus investment and academic renewal. Over the past two years, the university has initiated or completed more than 20 major projects, each designed to enhance student experience and align with emerging workforce needs.

Highlights include:

• More than 20 renovated residence halls and classrooms, including simulation labs and upgraded study spaces.
• New academic programs in Artificial Intelligence, Engineering, Environmental Science, and Aviation Management (Uncrewed Aerial Systems).
• Dining transformations including the reopening of The Grill, the beloved student gathering spot; the addition of the Milk & Honey restaurant franchise, and the introduction of robotic food delivery.
• Infrastructure improvements across academic, athletic, and student-life facilities.

"These projects represent both progress and purpose," said Williams. "We're investing not just in buildings, but in experiences that prepare students to compete, lead, and serve."

Research Rising: The Power of R2

In 2024, Hampton achieved a historic milestone, earning the Carnegie R2 Classification for high research activity, making it the only private university in Virginia with that distinction.

The designation reflects Hampton's expanding investment in STEM, health sciences, environmental studies, and cybersecurity, and it opens new opportunities for funding and collaboration.

"Research 2 status isn't the destination; it's the foundation," said Dr. Betty Stewart, executive vice president and provost. "It validates our research excellence and creates pathways for our faculty and students to influence national conversations in science, innovation, and equity."

Pipeline Partnerships and Community Impact

As a regional anchor and national leader, Hampton continues to expand its reach through purpose-driven partnerships.

The university is revitalizing its School of Pharmacy to address the Hampton Roads pharmacy desert, strengthening access to healthcare education and community wellness. Meanwhile, the Hampton University Proton Cancer Institute, one of the early and only such centers owned by an HBCU, is pioneering research in proton therapy, radiation science, and early detection.

"We're building pathways, not just programs," said Stewart. "Every academic and research initiative at Hampton is designed to connect talent with purpose, and that's what makes our model competitive and enduring."

Extending the Mission Beyond Campus: The Enterprise Expands to Include Workforce Development

That commitment to connecting talent with purpose extends well beyond Hampton's student body. In response to the region's evolving economic landscape, the university has broadened its enterprise to include a robust Workforce Development initiative, one that strengthens Hampton's role as an anchor institution for the community and the Commonwealth.

The Workforce Development Enterprise operates outside the student and baccalaureate experience, serving instead as a cornerstone of the university's community engagement efforts. Through its programs, Hampton addresses the credentialing needs of the region, providing pathways that elevate the preparedness and competitiveness of the Hampton Roads workforce.

"Our responsibility extends beyond our campus," said President Darrell K. Williams. "Workforce development allows us to serve the broader community with the same intentionality we give our students. When we strengthen the region's talent pipeline, we strengthen the future of Hampton Roads."

A National Model for the Future

As other institutions search for ways to adapt post–affirmative action, Hampton's example offers a clear and proven blueprint: mission-aligned strategy, human-centered technology, and belonging as a driver of academic outcomes. Every key indicator is moving upward: enrollment, retention, visibility, and engagement.

"We are proud of the momentum, but we are even more proud of what it means," said Williams. "Hampton is expanding opportunities for students who will lead in science, business, technology, and service. Our mission is bigger than growth; it's about impact."

The Hampton Value Proposition: Higher Education That Means More

In a national climate where the value of higher education is increasingly scrutinized, Hampton's story cuts through with clarity. It demonstrates that when strategy meets heart, and data meets belonging, growth becomes sustainable, and meaningful.

"At Hampton, students don't just earn degrees; they discover direction," said Stewart. "We prepare them not only to compete, but to contribute."

As the Class of 2029 nears the end of their first semester, drawn from 42 states and 12 countries, Hampton stands as a blueprint for what higher education can still achieve: a place where legacy meets innovation, where investment meets purpose, and where belonging fuels excellence.

ABOUT HAMPTON UNIVERSITY 

Hampton University is a prestigious Carnegie R2-designated research institution, nationally acclaimed for pioneering work in atmospheric science, cancer treatment, and cybersecurity. With an annual economic impact of $530 million across the region and the Commonwealth of Virginia, Hampton stands as a powerful engine of innovation, workforce development, and inclusive economic growth. 

Consistently recognized for academic excellence and transformative outcomes, Hampton was recently named one of the "Best Colleges in America" by Money Magazine and honored as the "Best Private College" by Coastal Virginia Magazine. 

Founded in 1868, Hampton University is a proud, close-knit community of scholars, representing 44 states and 32 territories. With a legacy rooted in empowerment and education, the university is committed to nurturing intellectual curiosity, critical thinking, and global citizenship — preparing students to lead with purpose and integrity in an ever-changing world. Learn more at: www.hamptonu.edu.

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