Letter to the Editor: Antioch College sees 13 percent increase in enrollment
Natalie Kubat, Interim President
As I step into my role as Interim President of Antioch College, I am deeply committed to strengthening the bond between our campus and the Village of Yellow Springs. We are kicking off this academic year with tremendous energy and optimism. If you see our new and returning students out and about in town, please give them a warm welcome. We are a small, interconnected community, and supporting one another is at the heart of who we are.
Higher education is navigating a challenging landscape. According to recent National Student Clearinghouse data, small private nonprofit colleges across the country are facing an average enrollment decline of 1.6%, with many small campuses experiencing steep multi-year drops. Despite these broader headwinds, Antioch College is moving in a positive direction. We experienced a 13% increase in total student enrollment from Fall 2025 to Fall 2026, bringing our total enrollment to 130 students.
Our students represent both our local roots and a broad national reach. About 54% come from Ohio, with the remainder hailing from across the country, from Washington to Vermont representing 27 different states. Every single student living on campus participates in our Antioch College Works program which means they earn a grant toward their tuition and receive the opportunity to work 5-10 hours per week for a paycheck. This fall, 22 students are out on co-op assignments spanning the globe and our own backyard, working everywhere from Greece and Belize to Columbus and right here in Yellow Springs. In the applied sciences alone, our students are gaining hands-on experience as Soil Analysis Technicians, wildlife rehabilitation specialists, land conservation stewards, and research assistants in an ant lab studying ornithology.
As we work thoughtfully to grow our student body further and build long-term financial sustainability, we also want to pause and celebrate being an integral part of this Village.
To that end, I warmly invite our neighbors to join us for a Yellow Springs Community Open House on Monday, October 5, from 5:00 to 7:00 PM in the Horseshoe. We will have local food trucks on site, as well as information about upcoming programming at the Foundry Theater, the Coretta Scott King Center, and the Wellness Center. We are also offering special guided tours of historic Antioch Hall during the event. Space is limited for the tours therefore everyone must pre-register. Details and tour registration links can be found on our official Facebook and Instagram pages.
If you aren’t able to attend on October 5, we have another opportunity for you. On Friday, October 16, we will be hosting our Demisemiseptcennial Campaign Celebration event. A reception will take place in the lobby of Antioch Hall at 4pm and a ticketed dinner will be at 5:30pm in the Herndon Gallery with the option to carry the good energy over to the Foundry Theater for an incredible performance featuring Cabo Verdean singer, Lucibela at 7pm. Again, details can be found on our social media page.
We hope you will join us on October 5, follow our social media channels to stay updated, and remain an active partner in our vibrant campus community throughout the year.
In partnership and collaboration,
Natalie Kubat, CFRM
Interim President, Antioch College