Coppin State President Anthony L. Jenkins Named Among HCF’s Ten Most Dominant HBCU Leaders of 2027

National recognition marks Jenkins’ second selection and highlights Coppin State’s growth in enrollment, student success, fundraising and institutional visibility

BALTIMORE — Coppin State University President Anthony L. Jenkins, Ph.D., has been selected by the HBCU Campaign Fund (HCF) as one of its Ten Most Dominant HBCU Leaders of 2027, recognizing his leadership, commitment to student success and impact on the continued growth and transformation of Coppin State University.

“Dr. Jenkins represents a powerful example of what intentional, student-centered HBCU leadership can accomplish,” said Demetrius Johnson Jr., founder, president and CEO of the HBCU Campaign Fund. HCF said Jenkins’ tenure has demonstrated the importance of strategic leadership focused on institutional growth and student success.

The recognition places Jenkins among the tenth class of HBCU and Minority-Serving Institution leaders honored by HCF. It is his second selection for the national recognition while serving as president of Coppin State.

“This recognition belongs to the entire Coppin State University community,” said Jenkins. “Our progress is the result of faculty and staff who believe deeply in our mission, students who inspire us to keep raising expectations, alumni who remain connected to their university, and partners who believe in what Coppin means to Baltimore and beyond. We are building a stronger university focused on student success, innovation, opportunity and preparing our students to compete and lead in a changing world.”

Jenkins became Coppin State University’s eighth president in May 2020. During his tenure, the university has expanded its academic portfolio, reversed years of enrollment decline, strengthened retention and graduation outcomes, achieved record fundraising and endowment growth, expanded corporate partnerships and increased alumni engagement.

The recognition comes during a period of significant momentum for Coppin State. The university welcomed a record incoming class in fall 2026, including 1,558 new undergraduate students, a 47 percent increase over the previous year. First-time undergraduate enrollment increased 61 percent, while the university’s total enrollment surpassed 3,600 students.

Coppin has also experienced significant growth among male students. Male enrollment has increased by more than 50 percent since 2021, reflecting the university’s broader efforts to expand access while strengthening the systems that support student persistence and success.

Beyond enrollment, Coppin State has experienced significant growth in philanthropy and investment in its future. The university’s endowment has grown 126 percent since 2021, with more than $26 million raised over the past six years and more than 40 new endowed scholarships established. Coppin has also benefited from more than $100 million in major capital investments during the past five years, including the College of Business and the new Thurgood Marshall Hall.

The university’s growing momentum has also earned national recognition. In 2026, Niche ranked Coppin State among the Top 10 HBCUs in the nation and among the Top 100 Best Value Colleges, further strengthening the university’s national profile.

The Ten Most Dominant HBCU Leaders recognition honors presidents, chancellors and other leaders connected to HBCUs and MSIs who demonstrate influential and transformational leadership. HCF says the program recognizes leaders advancing the mission, growth, visibility and long-term progress of their institutions and organizations. The 2027 honorees represent the tenth class of the recognition program.

Jenkins’ leadership extends beyond Coppin State. He serves on the boards of the Federal Reserve Bank of Baltimore, Hippodrome Foundation and Greater Baltimore Committee. Maryland Governor Wes Moore appointed him to the Equitech Growth Commission, and the American Council on Education selected him to participate in its network of presidents and chancellors focused on military learners.

A United States Army veteran and first-generation college graduate, Jenkins earned his bachelor’s degree from Fayetteville State University, master’s degree from North Carolina Central University and doctorate from Virginia Tech. He is the first graduate of Virginia Tech’s Educational Leadership and Policy Studies doctoral program to become a college or university president.

HCF will continue announcing members of its tenth class in the coming months, with the complete class of The Ten Most Dominant HBCU Leaders of 2027 expected to be announced in early 2027.