EMU is proud to announce the results of its annual fall census, which was conducted on Sept. 8 following the 10th day of classes. The census numbers reflect undergraduate, graduate, and non-degree and non-credit enrollment on the Harrisonburg, Virginia, and Lancaster, Pennsylvania, campuses for the Fall 2025 semester.

Among the main takeaways from the census data:

• A 10% increase in the size of the incoming undergraduate class, which includes first-year, transfer, readmitted, and aviation students, from Fall 2024 to Fall 2025 (from 218 to 239 students). 
• An 11% increase in the number of new first-year undergraduate students since last fall (from 160 to 178 students).
• A historically high percentage (48%) of first-year undergraduate students identify as first-generation college students (up from 35% last year).
• Another record high, nearly half (49%) of the incoming class is made up of student-athletes (up from 46%).

“Thanks to the tireless efforts of our dedicated enrollment teams, and the unwavering support from faculty, staff, and the entire EMU community, we are seeing an increase in our incoming undergraduate enrollment numbers for the first time since the pandemic in 2020,” said Braydon Hoover ’11, MA ’21, vice president for enrollment and marketing at EMU. “Amid the headwinds that continue to buffet higher education today, we celebrate that more students are choosing EMU to help them fulfill their educational and professional goals, beginning their journeys as unifying leaders with us.”

Among the incoming Class of 2029:

• 43% identify as students of color (among the most diverse in EMU history);
• 73% hail from Virginia, with more than 20% from Harrisonburg and Rockingham County;
• 15 states, Puerto Rico, and four countries are represented; and 
• the average GPA is 3.49 (unchanged from last year), with nearly one-fourth of students entering EMU with at least 10 college credits.

The top three majors of the incoming class, starting from the most popular, are nursing, biology, and business administration. 

While a total 730 students make up the undergraduate student body, 358 graduate students are enrolled at EMU, including 126 new grad students joining the university this semester. Graduate programs that saw the largest gains since last year are Biomedicine (up 45% to 16 new students), Seminary (up 41% to 17 new students, boosted by its new Doctor of Ministry program), and Graduate Teacher Education (up 4% to 43 new students). Students in EMU’s graduate programs represent 20 states and five countries.

Thirty-five educators are renewing their licensure this year (compared to 22 last year) through EMU’s Graduate Teacher Education program. 

EMU’s four-year and six-year graduation rates are 55% and 60%, respectively. Fall 2025 marks the seventh consecutive year that the university’s retention rate, which is generally used as a gauge of student satisfaction, has measured 74% or higher.

“Now more than ever before, the world needs EMU graduates—leaders specially trained to serve as bridge builders and peacemakers,” said Provost Dr. Tynisha Willingham. “It’s gratifying to see our students continue to answer that call and equip the skills needed to make positive change in our world.”

Had she known about the generous stipend support available to ��ݮ���� counseling students, Jessie Hoffa MA ‘22 (counseling) says her decision of where to attend graduate school would’ve been an easy one. “EMU would’ve been a shoo-in,” she said.

It was only after comparing the counseling programs at different schools that she realized EMU’s program struck the perfect balance. It offered a quality curriculum, skilled and passionate teachers, and solid student outcomes—all at an affordable price. The fact that it was within an hour’s drive of her Greene County, Virginia, home also didn’t hurt. 

“I can tell you right now, there’s no program out there as good as EMU’s for that price—I’ve looked at so many of them,” said Hoffa, who is now a resident in counseling for the Charlottesville-based Piedmont Counseling Collective. “On top of that, to receive an extra $10,000 during my final year was such a blessing.”

The licensed professional counselor is one of 121 EMU counseling graduates since 2017 who have benefited from substantial internship stipends, interdisciplinary and interprofessional seminars, and expanded partnerships and training opportunities funded by two previous Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) grants.

Grant reflects quality of graduate counseling program

A new $2.37 million, four-year grant awarded to EMU’s Master of Arts in Counseling (MAC) program this summer from HRSA, an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, will continue to build on the work of those two previous grants. The MAC program received a $1.28 million grant from 2017 to 2021 and a $1.01 million grant from 2021 to 2025. Those awards provided $10,000 internship stipends for counseling students serving rural and medically underserved communities.

The latest grant project, known as the Interdisciplinary Education in Action: Valley Counseling Expansion (IDEA: VCE) Project, will provide $25,000 stipends for 59 counseling students in internships from Fall 2025 through Spring 2029, while expanding their partnerships and services to schools and clinical sites in areas including Page County, Virginia, and Pendleton County, West Virginia. The grant also will fund conference registration and travel reimbursement for internship students and provide specialized training in telehealth, integrated behavioral health in primary care, and trauma-informed care.

Dr. Michael Horst, former director of EMU’s graduate counseling program, and Sarah Pace, administrative assistant for the program, submitted the grant proposal application in January and learned they had received the award at the end of June. 

“This recognition from HRSA speaks to the remarkable quality of our program,” said Horst, who became dean of EMU’s Health, Behavioral, and Natural Sciences division on July 1. “Not only to the instruction in the curriculum and that we’re CACREP-accredited (accreditation by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs is the recognized gold standard for mental health counseling training), but also to the incredible site placement work that Dr. Jennifer Cline, counseling program director, has done over the years to ensure our students are serving in rural and medically underserved communities.”

Stipend a ‘game changer’

Students in the three-year MAC program are required to complete 600 hours of internship experience during their final two semesters, which is equivalent to about 20 hours per week. With that many hours spent at their internship sites, not to mention their classes and coursework, students can find it difficult to devote time to other responsibilities. 

Back when he was a student in the program, Zachary Pennington MA ‘19 (counseling) had a full plate. In addition to his academic courseload, he balanced raising three young children and working three jobs. When he learned he would be receiving a $10,000 stipend during his final year of training, he breathed a sigh of relief knowing he could step back from those jobs and invest more energy in his clients through his internship placement at National Counseling Group in Harrisonburg.

“That stipend was a game changer,” said Pennington. “It allowed enough space for me to focus on my clinical training and academics, and it helped me balance it out and make it all possible.”

Pennington now serves as clinical director of Shenandoah Psychological Services in Roanoke, an office he opened two years ago. He continues to serve clients from rural and underserved communities and said his internship experience, traveling to clients’ homes around Rockingham, Augusta, and Shenandoah counties, shaped his commitment to helping those populations.

Like Pennington, Hoffa served rural and medically underserved communities during her internship and continues that work today. She interned at Region Ten Counseling Center, where she treated clients who “fell through the cracks”—they didn’t qualify for Medicaid, but also could not afford to have insurance—and worked with them to find a payment they could afford. She also provided counseling services to students and teachers in Greene County Public Schools.

A nationwide need

The purpose of the HRSA grant, which is administered through the agency’s Behavioral Health Workforce Education and Training (BHWET) , is to train more mental health counselors and address shortages in the counseling workforce, both nationwide and locally, in areas where mental or behavioral health services may not be accessible. The program also has a specific focus on understanding the needs of children, adolescents, and young adults at risk for mental health, trauma, and behavioral health disorders.

While the prevalence of mental illness is similar between rural and urban residents, the services available can be very different, according to the . Results from a 2018 study show that one of the most significant challenges preventing rural Americans from receiving care has been the shortage of mental health professionals in those areas. Data from a 2021 report show that rural areas have 87.7 counselors per 100,000 people, compared with 131.2 counselors per 100,000 in urban areas.

Many clients served by EMU internship students pay low-fee or pro bono rates, receiving care they might not otherwise have access to if it weren’t for those students. And many EMU counseling graduates continue working at their internship sites after graduation, with many securing positions even before finishing the program. Nearly 100 percent of counseling graduates find employment within the first nine months after completing their degree.

“By expanding into more of these rural and medically underserved areas, we hope to not only have our interns there for the next four years, but also to place our alumni there as counselors who will continue serving those communities,” Pace said.

“It creates a ripple effect,” said Cline. “We believe that every person who becomes healthier contributes to a healthier system. Those clients might become better parents, better partners, better coworkers, and the impact continues to expand, influencing positive outcomes in many areas of life.”

Learn more

An open house informational session for prospective students interested in the Master of Arts in Counseling (MAC) program will be held from 4:30-6 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 20, in the MAC program department, which is located in the lower level of the Seminary Building at 1181 Smith Ave., Harrisonburg. A virtual open house will be held from 5-6 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 10. Please RSVP for these sessions by emailing counseling@emu.edu or by registering online at .

The deadline to apply for the program’s Fall 2026 semester is Jan. 15, 2026. Learn more about the graduate counseling program at .

OnlineU based its rankings on online enrollment numbers and the early career salaries of alumni within the first four years after graduation. EMU’s online MBA program ranked No. 13 on the list, while Virginia Tech claimed the top spot with an annual tuition nearly twice that of EMU’s. Neighboring institutions James Madison University and Bridgewater College are absent from the list of the top 17 online MBA programs in Virginia.

“Earning a spot on this list highlights how the online MBA program at EMU is among the best in Virginia at helping graduates achieve higher earnings,” said Adrian Ramirez of OnlineU.

From the list: 

Why we like them: EMU offers a unique collaborative online MBA structured for professionals eager to tackle global business challenges. The program consists of 36 credit hours, allowing students to complete their degree in approximately two years. Unique to EMU’s approach are two short in-person residencies that provide experiential learning opportunities, emphasizing sustainability practices in diverse settings. The curriculum focuses on developing leadership, relational, and organizational skills. With no GMAT or GRE requirements, the program is accessible, and cohort-based learning fosters valuable relationships with peers and faculty.

Dr. Jim Leaman, associate professor of business and director of the business & leadership program at EMU, said it’s gratifying to see the Collaborative MBA program included on the list. “This honor recognizes the unique combination of access, flexibility, quality, and value, and further highlights our distinctive philosophy of viewing business as an important societal agent working for the common good.”

The Collaborative MBA program, a joint graduate degree program of Canadian Mennonite University, ��ݮ����, and Goshen College, develops the technical, relational, and organizational skills students need to become effective leaders and prepares them to lead for the common good.

For more information about the program, visit: emu.edu/mba

The census numbers, collected on Sept. 9, represent undergraduate, graduate, non-degree and non-credit enrollment on the main Harrisonburg, Virginia, campus and the Lancaster, Pennsylvania, site for fall 2024.

“Amidst a challenging higher education environment, I am delighted that EMU is seeing growth in areas that reflect our shared values and ongoing commitment to belonging,” said Braydon Hoover ’11, MA ’21, vice president for enrollment. “It is important to note that while we are reporting our fall enrollment in aggregate, each number represents an individual student who has chosen EMU to be the catalyst of their bright futures. It is a choice we celebrate and a responsibility we take seriously. We will continue to deliver an exceptional education experience that is accessible for them and for all students interested in becoming unifying leaders.”

Explore more data 
in the EMU Fact Book.

The number of incoming students in the aviation program at EMU at Lancaster surged from 9 to 23 (a 155% increase from last year), contributing to a total undergraduate enrollment of 755 students and an incoming class enrollment of 183 students. The Class of 2028 represents 15 states/territories and 10 countries and includes 34% of students who identify as first-generation and 53% who identify as people of color (a roughly 10% increase from last year). Of the incoming class, 43% are athletes.

Top areas of study, starting from most popular, include nursing, business and leadership, STEM, aviation, and education. The Intensive English Program realized an 18% enrollment increase from 84 to 99 students.

This year at least 32 teachers from the Harrisonburg City and Rockingham County public school divisions are renewing their licensure through the Graduate Teacher Education program, further demonstrating EMU’s commitment to community partnerships.

EMU’s retention rate, which is generally used as a gauge of student satisfaction, remains high. According to census data, 76% of the first-year undergraduate students who entered in fall 2023 continued their studies at EMU this semester. This marks the sixth consecutive year that the rate has measured 75% or higher.

“Our retention rate continues to soar above the national average,” said Provost Dr. Tynisha Willingham. “Achieving this for six consecutive years is a feat. EMU’s collaborative approach, involving various departments working in synergy, ensures that students receive comprehensive support and have the opportunity to thrive academically and personally.”

EMU’s eight graduate programs, which include Eastern Mennonite Seminary and the Center for Justice and Peacebuilding, continue to draw exceptional candidates with total full-time equivalent enrollment at 225 students. The number of new graduate students, including part-time and full-time students, is up by 30%. Those 108 degree-seeking students in the incoming graduate class represent 17 states and 16 countries.

To start CJP’s two-year master’s degree program in August 2013, you need to . After you complete the program, you’ll join our graduates working in NGOs, local communities, churches and other religious groups, government, and with international organizations such as the and .

CJP’s faculty members are practitioners as well as scholars. Faculty members and CJP staff work alongside our graduates and with other partners. We understand the problems of practice and we regularly upgrade and update our curriculum to include leading edge ideas and practices.

For 2013-14, our curriculum has been re-designed, newly centering around two team-taught core courses that weave together peacebuilding theory, conflict analysis and exploration of practices for working with conflict. Faculty and students will examine theories and case studies of change at the personal, organizational, community, and large-scale levels. This format is designed to foster the skills needed to bring about long-term, sustained change in organizations, communities and regions.

CJP students also take research and skills courses. They are able to concentrate their studies on strategic peacebuilding, restorative justice, psychosocial trauma, development and/or organizational leadership.

Mentored practice is a component of our re-designed curriculum. With faculty and staff support, CJP students work in the local community to develop their skills in concrete ways while addressing key justice issues in the Shenandoah Valley. This practice by students will prepare them for doing their practicums ­– typically, their final step before graduation – as well as for their careers after CJP.

The deadline for applications is February 15, 2013; additional applications will be accepted as space permits. For further information or to apply, please go to , or contact us at cjp@emu.edu.

The record total enrollment of 1,513 students – undergraduate, seminary and graduate – compares to 1,436 last fall, according to the university registrar’s office.

Total undergraduate enrollment numbers 933 students, compared to 922 a year ago. Of that total, 228 are first-year students, up 18 over last fall.

“The new first-year class has more racial/ethnic diversity than any previous class,” said Shirley B. Yoder, vice president for enrollment and marketing at EMU. “U.S. minorities make up 21 percent of this class, doubling the composition of the previous class.

“Until this year, we weren’t particularly successful in attracting local Spanish-speaking students,” Yoder said. “But this year, we are pleased to welcome a significant number to campus.”

The number of international students is down this fall, “due primarily to visa difficulties,” she added.

Eastern Mennonite Seminary, a graduate program of theological studies on the EMU campus, has 134 students enrolled this fall compared to 131 last fall. There are 74 students enrolled full time at EMS, two more than the same time last year.

Students in the university’s graduate programs continued modest growth, with 239 enrolled this fall over 229 last fall. The largest increase came in the M.A. in education program at EMU’s Lancaster, Pa., location, up 35 students, from 16 to 51 this fall.

The Adult Degree Completion Program (ADCP), an accelerated, non-traditional baccalaureate degree program, has 94 students enrolled this fall on the Harrisonburg campus, down five from last fall, while the Lancaster campus’ ADCP program climbed from 27 to 40 students.

The Intensive English Program (IEP), which prepares international students for undergraduate collegiate work, has 38 full- and part-time students this fall, up eight over a year ago.