CLEVELAND, Miss.–Delta State Pres. Dr. Daniel Ennis spoke before the state college board as they held their regular meeting at Delta State University Thursday. Ennis believes Delta State has a long future, despite doubts about the school’s viability and enrollment difficulties that have forced drastic changes over the past two years.
“As our state loses educated workers, Delta State stands against that trend,” said Ennis. “Eighty-two percent of our student body hails from Mississippi. We’re giving students a reason to stay in Mississippi.”
Some of the reasons he mentioned include degrees that are more marketable, according to Ennis.
The university dropped 21 degrees, in favor of four that he believes will point students toward good to high-paying jobs. Ennis said the school is pushing its degree programs with a new branding campaign, which he previewed for the board.
“We’re the Fighting Okra, not the barely hanging on Okra,” he said. “We’ve over hauled our enrollment operation. We’re launching a new branding campaign. We have fiscal stability and a product we’re proud of.”
Part of that overhaul is offering free tuition for Pell-qualified incoming freshmen. Ennis said the university has also negotiated transfer agreements with the state’s community colleges.
Ennis mentioned sacrifices, saying that everyone at the university has made them. That has included faculty cuts and some cuts through attrition.
He also said that the school has doubled its cash on hand in the past couple years.
