Greetings from Wayne State University!
The fall season is symbolic of change, and we have experienced historic and exciting changes here on our campus. Wayne State University has a new president, Kimberly Andrews Espy, Ph.D., the first woman to serve in this role in the university’s 155-year history! In this edition of the Counselor Newsletter, find out more about Dr. Espy and new initiatives that further our commitment to removing barriers to higher education and make a Wayne State education more affordable.
Wayne State University is one of 10 Michigan public universities to join the Michigan Assured Admissions Pact, which demystifies the admissions process and assures high school seniors they are admissible to WSU if they achieve a cumulative 3.0 GPA. In partnership with the Michigan Achievement Scholarship, WSU offers the Wayne State Guarantee, providing a tuition-free opportunity to eligible Michigan students and families. This fall, 55% of our incoming class is attending WSU with zero out-of-pocket costs for tuition and fees! The MAAP and Wayne State Guarantee strengthen our commitment to Gov. Whitmer’s goal for 60% post-secondary attainment by 2030.
In this edition, you will also learn about the Crockett-Lumumba Scholars program, a new student success initiative at WSU named after three African American scholars and activists with deep ties to the city of Detroit and who embraced higher education. Students will earn a minor in African American studies and will be supported throughout their college journey by peer, professional and faculty mentors.
Not included in this newsletter, but an important update for you to be aware of, is the change we made to our test-optional pathway. Applicants will only need to complete one essay prompt, and the academic evaluation, which was previously required, is now optional. We have also extended our merit scholarship and FAFSA deadlines to April 1, 2024. We hope these changes will streamline the application process and ensure that more students have equitable and affordable access to a WSU education.
Each year, we provide this newsletter as a resource for you, our valued partners, to offer up-to-date information on exciting new programs; innovative initiatives from our faculty, students and staff; and recruitment events and important deadlines to assist your students in completing their college enrollment. We hope you find the information we share valuable and useful in updating you on all that WSU has to offer.
We look forward to engaging with you and your students at upcoming recruitment visits, events and programs. Please encourage your students to schedule a campus visit led by a student Warrior guide. Wishing you all the best for an exciting fall filled with renewal and positive change!
With Warrior pride,
Wayne State welcomes 13th president
Wayne State University has a new president: Dr. Kimberly Andrews Espy began her tenure on Aug. 1, making her the first woman to serve in the role during the university's 155-year history.
She was selected after an extensive nationwide search and has an impressive resume of higher education experience.
“I am proud to accept this position to serve as the next president of such an exceptional institution of higher learning in the heart of Detroit, a storied city that is on the move," Dr. Espy said. "Wayne State has played an important role in Detroit’s recent revitalization, and I’m excited about the opportunities that exist to continue building on that growth.”
A guarantee to Michigan students and families
Wayne State University has the lowest tuition of Michigan’s three major research universities, but we’re taking our commitment to affordability and access a step further with the Wayne State Guarantee, which provides a tuition-free opportunity to incoming Michigan students with family household incomes less than $70,000 and less than $50,000 in assets.
To be eligible for the Wayne State Guarantee in fall 2024, in addition to being a Michigan resident, students must submit their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and apply to Wayne State by April 1, 2024.
Program spotlight: Crockett-Lumumba Scholars
The Crockett-Lumumba Scholars (CLS) program is a four-year student success initiative to help students of all majors better understand themselves, their cultural inheritance and social responsibilities.
Participants take part in a summer enrichment program to help them transition to college and have access to peer, professional, and faculty mentors and advisors. They’ll earn a minor in African American studies and benefit from financial incentives, including an annual stipend and paid tutoring and mentorship.
Assured admission for Michigan students
Wayne State is proud to be among the 10 public universities around the state to join the Michigan Assured Admission Pact (MAAP), a cooperative effort aimed at increasing awareness of educational options among recent high school graduates and demystifying the admission process.
As a participating institution, we have committed to admitting Michigan high school graduates who have earned a cumulative high school GPA of 3.0 or above (on a 4.0 scale). Eligible students must still complete their Wayne State application and the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) using Wayne State’s code, 002329.
Explore Wayne State
There are plenty of ways for prospective Warriors to learn about and explore Wayne State.
- Follow the path of a Warrior with a campus tour
- Set up a one-on-one appointment with an admissions counselor
- Learn about scholarships and more with our admissions experts
Get started at wayne.edu/admissions.
Contact us
Office of Undergraduate Admissions
P.O. Box 02759
Detroit, MI 48202
313-577-2100