Brooks A. Keel : Augusta University Invests $6M to Boost Faculty Amid Enrollment Surge

Augusta University has recently announced a significant investment of $6 million to address the surge in student enrollment, which reached an all-time high last fall. The university revealed that it welcomed a record-breaking 10,546 students in the previous academic year, marking a 7.5% increase from the previous year and a remarkable 26.6% spike since 2015. Notably, the freshman class also hit a new high with 1,162 first-year students.

To cope with this unprecedented growth, Augusta University is allocating the funding towards hiring 43 new faculty members, 24 full-time staff, two temporary positions, and 42 student-worker positions. Additionally, the university plans to enhance its infrastructure to support the influx of new personnel.

The financial injection will not only cater to staffing needs but also bolster student support services in critical areas such as Academic Advisement, the Academic Success Center, and the Center for Writing Excellence. These resources are vital to ensuring student success and academic achievement.

As the leading health sciences and medical research institution in Georgia, Augusta University is committed to providing a cutting-edge learning environment that prepares students for the workforce. President Brooks A. Keel, Ph.D., emphasized the university’s dedication to personalized education and student success, reflected in the continuous growth in enrollment.

The colleges and departments identified for immediate faculty and staff additions include the College of Education and Human Development, College of Science and Mathematics, James M. Hull College of Business, Pamplin College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences, Enrollment and Student Affairs, Human Resources, and University Libraries. Augusta University aims to fill these positions before the upcoming academic year to maintain the quality of education and support services for its students.