This academic year began with news that Monmouth had achieved its highest-ever ranking in U.S. News & World Report, continuing a steady trajectory of success. The jump was noteworthy because U.S. News—long considered the leader of college rankings—altered its methodology significantly this year to account more appreciably for social mobility measures.

For the first time, the rankings put a greater emphasis on student outcomes—especially the impact of education on social mobility—which was reflected in our jump of 26 spots in the U.S. News social mobility rankings and 19 spots in Washington Monthly’s social mobility rankings. Our rise on both indexes is particularly gratifying because the measures align directly with the goals we established in our strategic plan and the course we set for the future of Monmouth University.

The success of our commitment to integrating excellence and access is also evident in our measures of student quality and diversity, which continue to rise. The average incoming high school GPA is 3.64, with out-of-state students making up close to a third (30.4%) of the first-year class—the highest percentage ever. The University also continues to attract strong numbers of underrepresented students, with more than 29 percent of the class identifying as ethnically or racially diverse. The percentage of Pell-eligible and first-generation students also increased, and I am proud to report that half of our current first-year class are FLI students—that is, either first generation, Pell eligible, or both. At the same time, our Honors School enrolled its highest cohort of first-year students ever.

So, what’s been happening since the Class of 2027 arrived? As you’ll read in this issue, there has been no shortage of exciting developments. Our faculty and students continued to achieve outstanding success, winning prestigious grants and scholarships, securing coveted internships, and giving back to the local community. With our transition to the Coastal Athletic Association, our student-athletes will compete on television approximately 70 times this year, up and down the Atlantic seaboard, from Boston to North Carolina.

Also sharing a well-deserved spotlight are our plans to construct a new, donor funded home for the Bruce Springsteen Archives and Center for American Music on campus. This ambitious project promises to enhance our academic offerings and elevate Monmouth’s reputation on a national, if not international, scale. The impact of the Center’s resources on students is already coming into focus, and I hope you will enjoy reading about senior English education major Carlee Migliorisi’s research into the little-known history behind “Born to Run.”

Given the remarkable successes that Monmouth University has enjoyed of late, I can’t help but reflect on our incredible potential. I have never felt more energized by our University’s standing in the educational landscape, and what the future holds in store for Monmouth. Thank you for your ongoing support of our University and our exceptional students.