LEXINGTON, Ky. — After leading the campus down a brand-new path, Kentucky State University has formally inaugurated Koffi C. Akakpo as its 19th president, with a new academic year kicking off.
This comes as the school has added new programs and made changes leaders said are bringing in students.
For example, every Friday morning outside of the Underwood Cafeteria, KSU business students host pop-up shops, attracting fellow peers while others put their passions and skills on display.
Aury Rios Alcantara, student government president, said they create space for each other. Elected by her peers, she’s the school’s 91st Student Government Association president and said leaders have prioritized students' voices and concerns.
“(Having) Dr. Akakpo has been just a wonderful experience," Rios Alcantara said. "He has an open-door policy so that any student at the time, if you walk in and he's in his office, will sit down and talk to you.”
Akakpo said he's prioritizing four specific areas: affordable access, strategic engagement, equitable student success and sustainable financial resources.
“Our No. 1 strategic priority is quality, affordable education," he said. "We want to enhance access, but we also want to make it affordable.”
As former president of the Kentucky Community and Technical College System, the two schools have now grown a partnership that helps students earn four-year degrees.
Akakpo shared any KCTCS graduate with a 2.5 GPA or who qualifies financially can attend KSU tuition-free.
“To me mostly, if we look at the GPA goal for us ... we can reach that goal just by doing business as usual," Akakpo said.
In the past, the university faced challenges with accreditation and finances. Akakpo said the school is making changes and is relying on community support to help them continue to grow the green and gold.
“Our financial numbers have improved significantly," he said. "Not only that, but in terms of the community, we are the University of Frankfort. We are the university of Franklin County. So I will say, I've been amazed by where the community has received me, and we're improving the relationship.”
Akakpo added this semester, KSU’s enrollment is up by 28% compared to last year. He also shared the school expects nearly 3,000 students this fall.