Langston University is thriving after years of "quietly going about its business," said President Kent Smith, who has worked to promote the institution since arriving five years ago.
Langston — which just celebrated its 120th anniversary — is one of the nation's 105 Historically Black Colleges and Universities and the only one in Oklahoma.
When Smith came from another HBCU in Ohio, he noted Langston had done a poor job of telling its own story. As a result, he said, many Oklahomans didn't know much about the university or its history. When the university was in the news, it more likely was for a crime than an accomplishment.
Five years later, the news is very good.
Langston University has seen record enrollment for the past three years.
More than 12,000 students — 90 percent freshmen and 10 percent transfer students — submitted applications for this academic year, the most in the university's history.
Mautra Jones, vice president for institutional advancement and external affairs, attributes the growth to a "phenomenal recruitment team."
"They are sharing the story to get people interested in Langston and highlighting our strong academic programs," Jones said.
Student retention improved 3 percent over the past year and officials anticipate at least another 3 percent bump for the upcoming year, she said.
Smith said the student body size is just right for a high-quality, high-touch experience. "Your professors get to know you," he said.
Building relationships
Since Smith wasn't from Oklahoma and wasn't a Langston alumnus, he had a bit of a learning curve. It took two years to learn about the university and the state and to get to know the lawmakers, he said.
With his "feet firmly planted," he began the external phase of his presidency — lobbying, talking to corporations, marketing, building relationships and expanding fundraising.
It can be tricky "to pivot to a new reality and simultaneously bring along the alumni," Smith said.
Alumni were giving very little when Smith arrived because they really weren't being asked, he said. Now the Langston University Foundation is on track to see a 15 percent increase in donations this fiscal year.
Federal grants and awards increased 10 percent from last year because of the grant-writing efforts of the faculty and staff.
The university receives more than $39 million annually in federal dollars to support grant activities, research and student financial aid — far more than it receives in state funding, Smith said.
Continued funding and increases in funding depend on Congress, but building relationships with the new administration in Washington also is important, he said. Smith and other presidents of HBCUs met with President Donald Trump, Vice President Mike Pence and other officials in late February to make their case.
Keeping current
Langston officials are reviewing all academic programs to determine which need more investment, which should be eliminated and what new programs should be added, Smith said. He wants to launch a cyber security program.
Smith said higher education works better when educators develop the academic programs business leaders say they need for their workforce.
"Higher education institutions that thrive will be those who are nimble and responsive," he said.
Growth also can be seen in campus facilities.
A new 27,000-square-foot goat research facility will be used to expand research capabilities in the areas of artificial insemination, metabolism, nutrition, management and total energy expenditure.
"These are exciting times for us," Smith said.
"I'd like people to say of the Kent Smith presidency that we took Langston University to the world and solidified the future of the university."
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Posted By: How May I Help You NC
Monday, May 1st 2017 at 12:40AM
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