NASHVILLE, Tenn. (TSU News Service) – Tennessee State University is looking to turn last year’s enrollment success into a blueprint for the future as prospective students and their families prepare to experience the university during Big Blue Explosion Preview Day on Oct. 10.
The recruitment initiative comes as the Division of Enrollment Management begins its push to build the university’s next freshman class for fall 2027 following a banner year that saw more than 1,700 freshmen enroll this fall, well above the university’s original goal of 1,200 to 1,500 students.
The Big Blue Explosion will officially kick off at 9 a.m. in Kean Hall on the main campus.
Dr. Eric Stokes, vice president of Enrollment Management, said the challenge now is to match that momentum while building a stronger and more strategic recruitment operation.
“We had a tremendous year, enrolling 1,737 freshmen and exceeding our goal,” Stokes said. “Now the challenge is to do it again. We know what worked, we have a roadmap and we’re starting earlier and with more strategy.”
Big Blue Explosion will give prospective students and their families an opportunity to explore academic programs, campus resources and student experience while getting a firsthand look at what it means to be a Tiger. Nearly 1,700 people have registered for the event, including about 500 prospective students, according to Stokes.
Unlike a traditional preview day, Stokes said TSU designed Big Blue Explosion to combine information with the energy and traditions that distinguish the institution.
“We call it an explosion because we bring a lot more energy to it than your basic preview day,” Stokes said.
Prospective students will interact with representatives from academic colleges to learn about programs, scholarships, financial aid and campus resources. Tiger Ambassadors will lead campus tours, introduce visitors to TSU traditions and share their personal experiences. The event will also feature live culture highlights, including performances by the Aristocrat of Bands and participation from TSU’s Divine Nine Greek organizations.
Following the morning events, prospective students and their families are invited to attend the Tigers’ football game at Nissan Stadium, with TSU Athletics providing free game tickets to registered students and discounted tickets for guests.
For Stokes, the overarching goal goes beyond simply providing information.
“What we really want is for them to walk away feeling good about their experience here, how they were treated, the culture and the environment on campus, and to begin visualizing themselves as students here,” Stokes said.
The effort is part of a broader, proactive recruitment strategy. Admissions counselors have already visited high schools and communities across the country, including Chicago, St. Louis, Atlanta, Washington, D.C., and throughout Tennessee.
A key element of this expanded outreach is active involvement from top leadership. TSU President Dwayne Tucker is taking an active, hands-on role in supporting the university’s enrollment goals. As part of the broader campaign, President Tucker and senior leaders are directly engaging with high school counselors and student influencers through Big Blue Breakfast events in Memphis and Nashville to share TSU’s vision and build lasting academic pipelines.
Stokes emphasized that this presidential leadership and all-hands-on-deck leadership strategy sets a new standard for TSU.
“It’s like winning the championship and then trying to repeat,” Stokes said. “Not a lot of teams do that, but it takes brand new work to do that.”
Zaria Hobbs, coordinator of campus visits and events, noted that the energy surrounding this year’s event highlights growing momentum.
“Student interest in TSU is stronger than ever, and we’re seeing that excitement reflected in Preview Day registration, which is already up by about 200 students from last year,” Hobbs said. “As a TSU alum, it’s exciting to see students eager to experience the Big Blue family. Preview Day gives them an inside look at what makes TSU special, from our world-renowned band and Greek organizations to our Tiger Ambassadors and the energy of our campus.”
About Tennessee State University
Founded in 1912, Tennessee State University is Nashville’s only public land-grant university offering 41 bachelor’s degrees, 15 graduate certificates, 27 master’s degrees, and nine doctoral degrees. TSU’s campus spans 500 acres. The university is committed to academic excellence, providing students with a quality education in a nurturing and innovative environment that prepares them as alumni to be global leaders. Visit tnstate.edu for more details.
