DAYTON, Ohio — A new path for more science and math studies is boosting enrollment at the oldest private Historically Black College and University (HBCU) in the United States.

Wilberforce University is located just outside of Dayton, Ohio, and was founded in 1856.

What You Need To Know

  • Wilberforce University is now offering new science and math programs

  • Last year's enrollment was about 500, and this year the university has 800 students

  • Wilberforce is the only school in Ohio to offer a three year kinesiology degree

  • The school is offering new programs in biochemistry, mathematical science and engineering

Dr. Rio Watanabe is not only the head golf coach, she’s leading the first-ever kinesiology program in Wilberforce University’s history.

Students will be able to get their degree in this field in just three years.

“She puts it in a way where it’s easy to understand,” said student Jordan Broomfield-Wallace.

Broomfield-Wallace is a sophomore and plays baseball.

Since kinesiology focuses on the human body, movement and function, the class naturally attracts a lot of student athletes.  

“There’s different ways, and there’s different concepts that we have learned and it made us percept physical education in many different ways,” he said.

The class is also attracting students who are genuinely curious like mass communications major Christian Locke.

“I’m very grateful for the opportunity to be in the class," Locke said. "It’s really fun and interactive. I never thought I would be in a class that studies the human body, development and movement, but it’s really engaging."

The university as a whole is shifting gears.

Liberal Arts studies are still thriving, but science and math are in the spotlight.

“Our enrollment right now is at its highest point in 20 years," said University President Vann Newkirk. "I think people are catching on to what we are doing."

One year ago there were less than 500 students. Now enrollment is about 800.

Along with having the only three-year kinesiology program in the state, the school is offering new programs in biochemistry, mathematical science and engineering.

“New technologies are playing a big role in how we teach, how our students learn, and how our students are prepared for the world around them,” Newkirk said.

Since Watanabe’s class is small and filled with athletes, eventually she plans to take learning outside of the classroom and into the gym. 

“We have a nice space and I think...there's a lot of things that we can work with, but also the supportive community that we have," she said. "I’m really excited to launch what we can do and see."

As the popularity of the science programs continue to grow, the school prides itself on fundamentals and keeping education affordable.

“A lot of students who want an HBCU experience or small college experience from those larger areas, instead of transporting themselves all the way to the south, they’re coming to this university,” Newkirk said.

For Broomfield-Wallace, it’s not just this class that’s opening new doors, but the university as a whole. 

“It’s a good living environment, good people, great people around me. Nothing really too much you can ask for,” he said.

Wilberforce University still holds strong connections to the African Methodist Episcopal Church, and students attend Chapel weekly.

This year the school added gymnastics to its athletic department, making it the third HBCU in the nation to have a women’s gymnastics program  

In terms of academics, next year Wilberforce plans to add an Aviation program to attract even more students.