The clear August morning outside Fleming Gym started like so many First Week at the Gs before it. Helpful volunteers in lime green T-shirts and student leaders with flags emblazoned with UNCG schools and colleges filed in to assume their posts. It was time to welcome the Class of 2029 to their orientation session known as NAV1GATE. But as the fresh faces of the newest Spartan class began to fill the gym’s 2,000+ seats, faculty, staff, and other volunteers noticed a slightly different vibe this year. 

The students were noticeably dialed in. Fewer heads down with AirPods in, and more chatty introductions between peers in the stands. As the program started, the groups cheered for their schools and colleges every time the names were mentioned. When Chancellor Gilliam teased them about choosing friends wisely, the students laughed easily and urged him to share an irreverent joke. And when the towel twirl signaled the start of their college journey, it was obvious that this class was coming with more Spartan spirit than UNCG had seen in recent years. 

Strength in Numbers 

Now that UNCG’s enrollment numbers are in, we know that this incoming class is part of the largest UNCG student body in the past four years. It’s a group that defies predictions that college enrollment would steadily decline and the demand for four-year degrees would not return. 

Thanks to UNCG’s efforts to support student success, invest in academic programs that student seek, and show prospects their perfect fit on campus, UNCG achieved significant milestones this year.

Largest incoming undergraduate class since 2019 
– New first-year students are up 7%.
– New transfer students are up 5%. 

Largest total graduate student enrollment since 2021 with 6% growth since last year 

Continued success in serving underrepresented students 
– Incoming Hispanic/Latino students are up 23%.
–First-year first-generation students are up 18%. 

The UNCG student body represents 99 counties in North Carolina, 46 states in the nation, and 89 countries across the globe, all unified in Spartan spirit. 

Measuring Spirit at Rawkin’ Welcome Weeks 

The surge in sheer numbers, driven by the large and exuberant first-year student group, is great news for UNCG. The vibe on campus is tougher to measure, but attendance at welcome events during the first weeks of classes supported theories developed at NAV1GATE. This new class seems to be emerging from what many see as a “COVID hangover” and is anxious to participate in campus activities. 

Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Cathy Akens reports that overall attendance at Rawkin’ Welcome Week events was up 6% this year. These events introduce new students to clubs and organizations, resources, and campus services that keep students thriving at UNCG. More than 5,000 students attended at least one of these events, and many attended several.  

“We have seen tremendous levels of engagement these first few weeks,” Akens said. “Our students really value in-person interactions and want to be part of the Spartan community.” 

Mike Ackerman, associate director of Recreation and Wellness and a regular volunteer at NAV1GATE, agreed that the crowd this year was “louder and more engaged.” Attendance soared at Kaplan Center’s RecFest this year, while Piney Palooza, the season’s opening event at Piney Lake, broke the previous attendance record by several hundred students. “There is a noticeable shift in the level of engagement and positive vibes of the incoming class,” Ackerman said. “It is awesome to see.” 

The first hints of this shift appeared when residence hall assignments began filling up this summer. Although enrollment was supported by commuter and online students in the early 2020s following the COVID shutdown, Housing and Residence Life occupancy has been at capacity in recent years. This year 76% of first-year undergraduate students are living on campus, with about 150 more than last year. 

Spartan Spirit Scores 

As campus living boosts campus activities, Spartan athletic events are also experiencing a bump in student engagement. Average game attendance in the first weeks of the soccer and volleyball seasons prove the story.

“Athletics staff and players have seen a huge rise in Spartan pride this year,” said James Nance, director of marketing and game operations. “This feels like the first year of students who weren’t negatively affected socially by COVID. We have had fans waving flags and banging drums at soccer games, and a row of students at all our volleyball games bringing the energy and excitement.” 

UNCG can only hope this positive spirit will lead to more wins on the field and court, and in the classrooms.  

“Our University is on an excellent trajectory,” said Chancellor Frank Gilliam, Jr. “It’s no wonder Spartan pride is on the rise, along with our enrollment. We have much to be proud of.” 

Story by Becky Deakins, University Communications.
Photography by Sean Norona, University Communications.