RICHMOND, Ky. — There’s about four weeks left of summer break, but Kentucky universities are already prepping for the fall semester. At Eastern Kentucky University, resident advisers have been spending their summer getting dorms ready.

EKU resident adviser Jose Mestre won’t be going to class for another month. But he’s already back on campus, gearing up for the fall semester.

“Having every room prepared for residents for when they come in, making sure when they do move in that they’re happy with the space,” Mestre said.

Mestre is a graduate student at EKU. He’s in his fourth year as a resident adviser.

“We are essentially people that residents can look up to in the sense of we know campus like the back of our hand,” Mestre said.

According to EKU president David McFaddin, the university has seen a 30% increase in total enrollment over the last four years.

“We’ve continued to see enrollment growth; a lot of that has been driven by programs. We have programs that are really a part of the vibrant economy here in Kentucky,” McFaddin said.

McFaddin said EKU’s aviation and education programs as well as affordability have made the school a destination for students looking to continue their education.

“Things like our book smart program, where EKU is the only school in Kentucky where your textbooks and all course materials are free,” McFaddin said.

EKU expects all their dorms to be at capacity. For resident advisers like Mestre, they welcome the opportunity to meet new Colonels.

“I get to meet new faces, meet more people from different backgrounds and overall, I made a lot of new friends and getting to understand different cultures, that’s always been the best experience,” Mestre said.

Classes begin Aug. 19 for EKU.

According to McFaddin, 15,026 was the total undergraduate enrollment at EKU last year. Over 4,600 students live on campus.