Part of a series of student reflections from Carver's College Tour
By Alaysia Ashley and Christina Allert, 11th Grade Students
On Monday, November 2, we visited Coppin State University in Baltimore, Maryland, where we discovered a welcoming campus with a strong commitment to education, student well-being, and community involvement.
Our tour guide, James Williams, a chemistry major, introduced us to the university and the many opportunities available to students.
We began by learning about Coppin State's history. The university is named in honor of Fanny Jackson Coppin, who was born into slavery, gained her freedom, and graduated from Oberlin College in Ohio. She became a pioneering educator who dedicated her life to expanding educational opportunities for African Americans.
The institution began as a teacher-training school and evolved over the decades, becoming Coppin State College in 1963 and eventually Coppin State University. Learning about this history helped us appreciate the university's longstanding commitment to education and opportunity.
We also learned about the admissions process, including the university's test-optional policy and programs designed to help students prepare for college-level work. These opportunities demonstrated Coppin's interest in helping students succeed academically.
One of the things that stood out most was the variety of activities and resources available to students.
Campus dining includes themed events such as Soul Food Wednesday, while Wellness Wednesdays encourage students to focus on their mental, emotional, and financial well-being. The campus ballroom hosts activities ranging from silent discos to student organization meetings and special events.
We were also impressed by the library, which offers tutoring services and study spaces to help students succeed in their classes.
Coppin offers a variety of academic programs, including accounting, African American studies, anthropology, chemistry, and nursing. We learned that nursing is one of the university's most popular fields of study.
Beyond academics, the university provides practical opportunities to prepare students for life after college. These include learning how to prepare income taxes, participating in mock interviews, and taking part in mock trials. We appreciated how these experiences help students develop skills they can use beyond the classroom.
Another important part of our visit was learning about campus safety and transportation.
We learned that campus buildings have controlled access in the evenings, with students using keycards to enter. Campus security personnel were friendly and approachable, helping create a welcoming atmosphere. The university also provides shuttle transportation to help students travel around campus.
We especially appreciated Coppin's connection to the surrounding Baltimore community. The university hosts activities such as Trunk or Treat, bringing students and neighborhood families together and demonstrating its commitment to giving back.
Overall, our visit to Coppin State University gave us a better understanding of what college life can offer beyond the classroom.
We saw how a university can support students academically, encourage personal growth, provide a safe and welcoming environment, and create opportunities to become involved in the larger community.
Our visit reminded us that choosing a college means finding not only a place to study, but also a community where we can learn, grow, and feel at home.
