Chowan University is celebrating continued enrollment growth this fall, including an increase in the number of local students choosing Chowan.

For the third consecutive year, Chowan has increased new student and overall enrollment.  Over the span, new student enrollment has increased by 16%, welcoming our largest class of true freshmen since 2022. 

“I am incredibly proud of the work of Admissions and their collaboration with all of campus which secured this incoming class. Athletic rosters are solid. Academic qualifications are high, and if the events of Welcome Week are any indication of what is to follow, we are in for a fabulous year complete with student engagement, academic excellence, a commitment to faith, and a strong sense of belonging. Asking and answering my own question: Is this going to be a great year? HAWK YEAH!” said Chowan University President Dr. Rosemary M. Thomas.

Spirit Scholars Supporting Local Students

Chowan also saw a 31 percent increase in local students from 2025 to 2026. As more students from the surrounding area choose Chowan, the University continues to look for ways to make a college education more accessible for students close to home.

The Spirit Scholars Program offers merit- and location-based scholarships to eligible students from counties across northeastern North Carolina and southeastern Virginia. Created specifically for students in the region, the program provides an opportunity to pursue their college education close to home while staying connected to the communities they know. Through the Spirit Scholars Program, students can receive up to $50,000 in scholarship support over four years.

“I am thrilled to welcome this new group of students to Chowan University. As an alumnus, I am incredibly proud of the institution that continues to serve students from North Carolina and Virginia so well. Our unique academic model, which blends a strong academic foundation with career preparation, mentorship, and professional skill development, is preparing our graduates to stand out and take advantage of opportunities after college. I am excited to watch the Class of 2030 grow, develop, and succeed over the next four years, and I look forward to seeing all they will accomplish as members of the Chowan family,” said Taylor Furlough, Vice President of Enrollment.

The growth gives Chowan a strong start to the 2026-27 academic year as the University welcomes the Class of 2030 and continues to serve students from the region and beyond.