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Aminta Breaux chats with senior Daionna Young, 21. (Katherine Frey/The

Washington Post)
The school draws heavily from its surrounding region, and the

vast majority of its students come from Maryland. Of about

5,660 students as of last fall, more than half came from

Prince George’s and more than 87 percent from within the

state. More than 80 percent of its enrollment is African

American.

It serves a large number of economically disadvantaged

students. More than half of its undergraduates have enough

financial need to qualify for federal Pell grants.

Like many regional public universities across the country,

Bowie State also faces the perennial challenge of ensuring

that students complete their work and earn a degree. The

most recent federal data show that 37 percent of first-time,

full-time students graduate from Bowie State within six years.

Other data show that a smaller, additional share transfer and

get a degree elsewhere.

Breaux said Bowie State is “well-positioned to do some

amazing things,” surrounded by a hub of businesses in the

region and a “great, supportive community.” She wants Bowie

State to capitalize on all of that.

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