Paul Smith’s College Sustains New Student Enrollment Gains Amid Regional Enrollment Rate Drop
PAUL SMITHS, N.Y., September 01, 2026--As Paul Smith's College prepares to receive 236 undergraduate students this fall, it today announced its new student enrollment has increased over 45% over three recruitment cycles, sustaining last year's historic growth. The college welcomed this new class of Smitties with a Convocation address on Aug. 27 delivered by alumnus and founder of Fostering Minds, LLC, Dr. Antonius "Tony" Rivera, Ed.D., MBA, MS, AAS.
Colleges across New York and the Northeast face a shrinking pool of traditional college-age students. WICHE projects the Northeast to lose 17% of its high school graduates, with New York declining 27% from 2023 to 2041. Against these challenging regional headwinds, Paul Smith's College has sustained its recent enrollment gains, reflecting growing interest in an education that connects strong academics with hands-on learning, meaningful work and practical experience.
Classroom learning is only one part of the experience. Paul Smith's College students build tiny homes, manage its sustainable forestlands and spend class time at the lake and in the woods. Incoming students have already committed to practical majors that will translate into in-demand fields, such as Natural Resources, Environmental Science and Hospitality.
"We are deeply grateful that so many students and families are choosing Paul Smith's College. Sustaining last year's enrollment gains suggests that our approach to education is resonating with what today's students want from college: strong academics connected to practical experience, a sense of purpose and a clear path into meaningful work," said Kathy Bonavist, Executive Vice President for Advancement & Enrollment. "This growth reflects the extraordinary commitment of our faculty and staff, who ensure that students are known, challenged and supported while learning through real responsibility. Whether our graduates become chefs, foresters, wildlife technicians, environmental policymakers or business owners, they leave Paul Smith's prepared not only for their first job, but to adapt, contribute and lead throughout their lives."
The college's growth is also widening who gets access to a Paul Smith's education. This past year, Paul Smith's has made significant inroads through its Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP) and TRiO program, which support students who may face financial, educational or other barriers to college. Thirty-four percent of this fall's incoming class are first-generation college students. Dr. Rivera knows the impact of those pathways firsthand: He came to Paul Smith's through HEOP and went on to earn his doctorate.