East Tennessee State University (ETSU) is taking proactive steps to address declining college enrollment rates in the region, particularly among male students. During the recent Board of Trustees meeting, officials highlighted a troubling trend: while college-going rates in Tennessee have seen a slight increase this year, they remain significantly lower than pre-COVID levels, with a 10 percent drop from 2015 to 2022.

In Washington County, the college-going rate stands at 57 percent, and Sullivan County is slightly higher at 59 percent. However, Johnson County lags behind, with only 40 percent of high school seniors pursuing post-secondary education. Recognizing these disparities, ETSU plans to implement initiatives aimed at making the campus more appealing to male students, acknowledging that these efforts may take years to yield results.

The university's enrollment growth has been a bright spot in the state's overall trends, with ETSU contributing to the increase in college-going rates. As the state prepares to release updated enrollment figures, ETSU anticipates continued growth, positioning itself as a key player in reversing the downward trend in higher education participation.

Additionally, the meeting addressed public perceptions of higher education, referencing a recent Gallup survey that revealed only 17 percent of Americans express a great deal of confidence in the sector. This statistic underscores the challenges facing institutions like ETSU as they strive to rebuild trust and attract more students.

As ETSU moves forward with its outreach initiatives, the university remains committed to enhancing educational access and improving enrollment figures in the region, recognizing the long-term impact these efforts will have on the community.