Shaw seniors are attending summer school in higher numbers than last year, according to Senior Data Analyst for the Dept of Strategic Planning and Institutional Research, Brian Cumberbatch.
Summer school enrollment for seniors has been increasing by over 28 percent than the last two years says Cumberbatch, to who believes it’s due to seniors getting focused at the last minute. Cumberbatch said that Shaw has more student enrollment compared to other HBCUs in the Raleigh Area. “Saint Augustine is one of the HBCUs in Raleigh that has no match for Shaw’s enrollment. Compared in 2009 Shaw had 220 to St-Augustine 263 students, while this year Shaw has 722 to St-Augustine 290 students, Shaw numbers are rising,” says Cumberbatch. Professor Walter Johnson Dept. chair of Computer Information System said that summer school gives students the opportunity to put their courses back in line if a class was failed or incompleted. “I think summer school for seniors is great, it gives them a chance to catch up,” said Dr. Johnson. Senior social work major Lauren Grandy knows summer school is necessary for her to graduate on time. “Sadly I would be behind in my major requirements if I hadn’t taken summer school,” said Grandy. Even though it’s not as active as the regular school year here, she said she is grateful she is passing. Grandy says,” Some students use summer courses not to catch up but to graduate early. Senior Recreation major Marcus Skeen plans on graduating in December 2010, instead of May 2011. “It’s always an outcome of good, when you complete your goal of passing to move on to greater opportunities after graduation,” said Skeen.