Taeshon Lenard is a makeup artist hoping to attract more faces and peers on campus as she’s away from her hometown in Michigan for another year. She's a junior at the school studying nursing while also pursuing big dreams in cosmetology. 

Lenard comes from a long line of nurses in her family, which she said motivated her to follow in their footsteps.

“I just felt like this field was very specific for me because I didn't know any other field, and I like nursing," she said. "I like taking care of people."

She said the school is symbolic of Black students pursuing their goals.

“There are resources around here ... we stay all so close to each other," she said.

Taeshon Lenard is a junior at the university pursuing nursing. (Spectrum News 1/Sabriel Metcalf)

The school is now working with both Bluegrass Community and Technical College (BCTC) in Lexington and Jefferson Community and Technical College (JCTC) in Louisville and recently received a $2.3 million grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to help renovate Hunter Hall.

University president Koffi Akakpo has been with the school for seven months. Some goals are to increase the freshman retention rate and start major renovations across the campus to historic buildings such as its library and dormitories on its upper campus, he said.

“When we look at juniors, it's 92% [retention]; when we look at seniors, it's 94%," Akakpo said. "I'm very confident with the progress that has been made, but we still have a way to go.”

Akakpo added he's specifically proud of the school's nursing program, which is 34% of its total enrollment. 

Those seeking a two-year nursing degree or more can earn scholarships with hospitals around central Kentucky, such as UK HealthCare, Norton Healthcare and Saint Joseph. 

KSU provides several scholarship programs, along with opportunities for free and reduced lunches.