Meet the New Students Joining Our Community
An exciting new semester is set to kick off at Valparaiso University on Wednesday, August 23 as over 600 new students start their Valpo journey. Faculty, staff and administration are thrilled to begin a new year and determined to help guide new and returning students toward the lives of service and leadership that define the Valpo community.
“Welcome, class of 2027, to the Valparaiso University family,” said University President José D. Padilla, J.D. at this year’s Convocation ceremony. “I believe in you, and the faculty here believe in you. You have no idea what you’re capable of doing, and our job here is to draw that out of you.”
Of the students joining the campus community, 94 are coming in as transfer students, and the University has been recognized by Phi Beta Kappa for its success in creating transfer-friendly pathways to education. Twenty-eight students are enrolled in the Access College for Success program, and are part of Valpo’s dedication to bring a top-quality higher education experience to nontraditional students.
Valpo is also proud to welcome over 150 of its incoming class as first-generation college students. The University provides ample support opportunities to help these students thrive in a new environment, including the Cornerstone Program, which provides a $500 scholarship along with connections, personal development opportunities, and supplemental guidance.
The College of Arts and Sciences is seeing the largest influx of students at 289, followed by the College of Nursing and Health Professions at 142. The College of Engineering has 91 incoming freshmen, and the College of Business will welcome 80 freshmen. Valpo athletics has 98 new faces joining the rosters, including 34 new players on the football team and four additions to the volleyball program.
All of these students join Valparaiso University at an exciting time as the changes and programs described in Uplift Valpo: Our Beacon for the Journey Forward begin to transform the campus. Regardless of the changes, our incoming freshmen and returning students are guaranteed to receive a world-class education that will develop their professional skills, leadership, and ability to serve their community and the world.
