National Collegiate Honors Council
National Collegiate Honors Council Monographs: Chapters
Date of this Version
2025
Document Type
Book Chapter
Citation
A chapter in Honoring the First-Year Seminar: Exploring High-Impact Learning Experiences for the First Year in Honors, pages 183-186
Lincoln, Nebraska: National Collegiate Honors Council, 2025
ISBN: 978-1-9450001-23-9
Abstract
Founded in 1871, the institution, which eventually became West Chester University (WCU) of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education, transitioned in 1927 from a Normal School to a State Teachers College. In 1960, the institution introduced a liberal arts program, turning the one-time academy into a comprehensive college. Finally, in 1983, the institution attained university status. Located in the heart of Pennsylvania’s Brandywine Valley in Chester County, WCU sits 25 miles west of Philadelphia and 17 miles north of Wilmington, Delaware. WCU is a public, comprehensive institution offering undergraduate education and graduate programs. In fall 2024, the university enrolled 3,005 new students and had a total enrollment (undergraduate and graduate) of 17,171 students. Among undergraduates, 58% identify as female. The university has a racial/ethnic composition of 73% White, 10% Black (non-Hispanic), 8% Hispanic, 3% Asian, 4% multi-racial, 2% undeclared, 0.1% American Indian or Alaskan Native, 0.01% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander, and 0.2% international. WCU reports 63.2% of faculty are full-time and the faculty to student ratio is 20:1.
Comments
Copyright 2025, NCHC and the authors. Used by permission