Central Connecticut State University held an open house for prospective students on April 15, an important day given the university’s recent decline in enrollment. 

Total enrollment at CCSU has dropped from 11,085 students in the spring of 2018 to 8,891 students in the spring of this year. That’s about a 20% decline in the past five years, according to the Office of Institutional Research & Assessment.  

The Spring 2023 Undergraduate Open House had one morning and one afternoon session for high school students and their families.

Jodi Latina, the associate vice president of marketing and communications, said there were an estimated 600 people in attendance. 

Students got the chance to take a student-led tour of the campus, visit the Mid-Campus Residence Hall, and explore all CCSU majors at the Academic Fair in the C.J. Huang Recreation Center. 

Representatives from admissions, financial aid, residence life, and student life met with attending students to assist them with their admissions and payment process going into college. 

Aside from such representatives, the prospective students were able to connect with current students to get a first-hand account of what being a Blue Devil is like. 

CCSU freshman Sanjay Ford works for event management on campus. Ford said he worked at the open house to sharpen some skills of his own, but said he helped others in the process. 

“I worked at this event because it may provide opportunities to gain experience and develop skills in event planning and communication,” Ford said. 

Ford said he did not go to an open house as a high schooler, but he hopes those who did attend benefited from the event. 

 “I hope the high schoolers learned more about the college, career opportunities, networking, the college application process and left with a positive impression about attending this college in the future,” Ford said.