Academic Year 2023-2024
I am proud to share a few of our accomplishments and successes at Shippensburg University during the 2023-2024 academic year. This is all made possible through the passion and dedication of our entire campus community, including our esteemed faculty, who play a pivotal role in our achievements, dedicated staff, and outstanding students.
We continue to meet our goal of stabilizing and growing enrollment in key areas through strategic marketing efforts, personalized student support, and identifying new growth areas for the university.
Our ongoing efforts to support students through specialized programming, led by the Student Affairs Division, are a testament to our commitment to student engagement. Students’ needs constantly evolve, and Ship continues to evolve along with them. We launched several new initiatives this year, and we are pleased to report an increase in student engagement and persistence, a clear sign of our students’ active involvement in their education.
The Academic Affairs Division also continues to evolve as we respond to the needs of Pennsylvania’s workforce. New programs, faculty-led research, and real-world projects to meet regional and state-wide needs are all key components of a Ship education, and our expert faculty remain committed to this charge.
Our Administration and Finance Division continues to lead, with several key campus and safety enhancement projects completed within the last year. A year’s worth of preparation work has also readied us for the muchanticipated Franklin Science Center renovation project.
Of course, none of these remarkable achievements would have been possible without the unwavering support of our friends at the SU Foundation and the generosity of so many who have contributed over the last year. Your invaluable gifts have been instrumental in our efforts, and I am honored to share that it was another recordsetting year for the SU Foundation.
This report is just a glimpse of all that we have accomplished. I encourage you to visit us on campus, follow us in the digital world at Ship.edu, and maintain those personal Ship relationships to learn more. Ship is strong, but it is made stronger by our community of support.
Charles E. Patterson, PhD President
Shippensburg University, a proud member of Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education, is a flagship regional public institution in South Central Pennsylvania. With a legacy of academic excellence, the university offers a diverse array of bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs through its John L. Grove College of Business, College of Arts and Sciences, College of Education and Human Services, School of Engineering, and the Wood Honors College.
Driven by a commitment to experiential learning, cutting-edge research, and innovative teaching practices, Shippensburg University empowers students with the skills and knowledge necessary for success in an everevolving world. Through robust student support systems and a dedication to cultivating career-ready graduates, the university not only meets the workforce demands of the region but also prepares its alumni to excel on a global stage.
$11,050,922
Total gifts in 2023-2024—surpassing the previous highest contribution total by $989,017.
$2,041,658
The amount of direct student aid provided during 2023-2024 including scholarships, awards, and low-interest loans.
At
least one
member from every class from 1960 to 2026 made a gift during the SHIPGIVES campaign.
$47,263
awarded from student emergency fund to support student immediate or essential needs.
The Shippensburg University Foundation is a not-for-profit corporation that seeks financial resources and provides services to support and enhance the mission of Shippensburg University. The Foundation nurtures excellence by advancing the University’s mission of teaching, research and community service.
SHIP Enrollment Profile
Undergraduate: 4,179 Graduate: 702
25.2% Underrepresented minority students (Undergraduate) 21% First generation students
100% increase in Ship Start enrollment over two years from 90 to 180 students (2022–2024)
3.5% increase in Graduate enrollment— Undergraduate remains stable
Top Pennsylvania counties: 1 Cumberland–985 2 Franklin–874 3 York–446 4 Dauphin–285
Other Key Populations: Philadelphia–229, Maryland–225, International Students–52
3.4
Top Undergraduate programs
Business
Education
Psychology
Biology
Top Graduate programs
MBA
Social Work
Counseling
Applied
Psychology
Principal Certificate
All six programs within the Milton and Doreen Morgan School of Engineering are now ABET accredited.
With the announcement of the accreditation of the civil and mechanical engineering programs, Ship now offers accredited programs in computer science and civil, computer, electrical, mechanical, and software engineering.
ABET (Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology Inc.), the nonprofit accrediting agency for degree programs in applied science, computing, and engineering fields, granted accreditation after a nearly two-year application and review process.
The Health Sciences Program, within the Biology Department, is a versatile major designed to prepare students for admission to a variety of postbaccalaureate programs, which lead to a range of healthcare careers.
Dr. Dhiman Chattopadhyay, Communication, Journalism, and Media Department, was named a 2024-25 Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (AEJMC) Jennifer McGill Fellow by the Institute for Diverse Leadership. This annual fellowship aims to increase the representation of people of color and women in journalism and communication education leadership roles. He is the first faculty member from Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) to receive this honor.
Dr. Matthew Shupp ’00-’03m, Counselor Education Department, is heading to Egypt in 2025 as a Fulbright Specialist. During his term at Suez Canal University, he will assist with establishing its first-ever clinical counseling center.
Dr. Heather Sahli, Biology Department, presented her ongoing research on Pennsylvania’s endangered dwarf iris, Iris Verna at the National Botany Conference in Michigan. Her research will be reported to the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and National Resources to help protect the remaining Iris verna populations in the state.
■ Faculty and students from the Chemistry Department continue to investigate ways to reliably minimize alcohol, tailor taste profiles, and speed up the kombucha fermentation process to help home and commercial producers optimize their production. This research was showcased at the American Chemical Society’s (ACS) spring meeting. Chartered by the US Congress in 1876, the ACS is world’s largest scientific organizations with more than 200,000 individuals spanning 140 countries.
73 Undergraduate research grant recipients
46 Faculty research sponsors
125 Participants in annual Minds@Work Student Research, Scholarship, and Creativity event
212 students served through Ship Cares. This is one on one care and support for students before they rise to a level of crisis.
∼6,000 intentional interactions between residence assistance staff and
175 students served through Big Red’s Cupboard expansion with Swipe Out Hunger/Giant Donation and Boy Scouts of America partnership.
Administered first National Collegiate Health Assessment. This partnership enhances our culture of student wellness.
First university in PASSHE to implement free period products program across
22% of the student body participated in intramural sports. 10% of the student
500 students supported through Fresh Check Day, a peer-to-peer education initiative focused on mental health and suicide prevention.
Fraternity and Sorority life expanded the leadership training and accountability with
Over 475 student-athletes compete on 20 Division II NCAA teams Ship provides a variety of academic, personal, and training support services to aid and enhance the development of all student-athletes including, the Kathryn Hughes Seaber Raiders Academic Center and the Raiders Athletics Performance Center
48 Academic All-District Selections PSAC Conference Championships 4 teams selected for NCAA Postseason 3
3.15 average Student-Athlete GPA
■ Completed and dedicated the Jeff Coy Memorial Archway as a new symbolic entry point for future Ship students.
■ Completed renovation of the Old Main Welcome and Admissions Center
■ Implemented a comprehensive door numbering system for all exterior doors on campus buildings. This improves security by tracking unlocked doors and provides a quick reference point for first responders in emergencies, enhancing overall campus safety and response times. SHIP Administration and Finance
■ Completed SHIP letters project, with the support of the Class of 1973 to serve as branded photo stop for students, alumni, and visitors to campus.
■ The Franklin Science Center renovation began as faculty offices and classrooms relocated to temporary locations. Phase I construction began in October 2024, Phase II is scheduled to begin in January 2026, and project completion is expected in November 2026.
President
Dr. Charles Patterson
Council of Trustees
Douglas Harbach ’82, Chair
George McElwee ’98, Vice Chair
Glen R. Grell, JD
Moriah Hathaway ’19
Ashley Loper ’14
Bryan Lowe ’08-’17m
Matthew Steck ’83
Colin D. Arnold
Executive Management Team
Dr. Darrell Newton, Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs
Dr. Jolinda Wilson, Vice President for Administration and Finance
Dr. Megan Luft, Vice President for Enrollment Management and Marketing
Lorie Sheetz, Vice President of Student Affairs and Dean of Students
Dr. Leslie Folmer Clinton, President and CEO of the SU Foundation
Drew Alosi, Chief of Staff
Dr. Manuel Ruiz, Assistant Vice President for Inclusion and Belonging and Director of Social Equity
Associate Vice Presidents and Deans
Dr. Sabita Manian, Dean of College of Arts and Sciences
Dr. John Kooti, Dean of John L. Grove College of Business
Dr. Nicole Hill, Vice Provost and Dean of College of Education and Human Services
Michelle Foreman, Dean of Libraries
Dr. Tracy Schoolcraft, Associate Provost and Interim Dean of Exploratory Studies
Dr. Jennifer Haughie, Associate Vice President for Retention and Student Success
Athletic Administration
Jeff Michaels, Director of Athletics