A strong start for a new student at BGSU Firelands

First-year student Kendall Balde capitalizes on momentum at University’s Huron campus 

By Patrick Pfanner '14

For first-year Bowling Green State University business student Kendall Balde, pursuing her education at BGSU Firelands was a natural next step. 

She had already explored business courses through EHOVE, an education-based career center in Erie County, and had a head start on her degree by taking BGSU classes through the College Credit Plus program. 

“My experiences at EHOVE and BGSU while in high school showed me how education can be immediately useful in the real world,” Balde said. “I loved how practical and hands-on both experiences were, and that’s exactly why I chose to enroll on the Firelands campus full time after graduating high school. It feels like the right place to keep growing.” 

Balde, of Milan, an Ohio town located between Sandusky and Norwalk, is part of a record-breaking class that helped BGSU Firelands achieve its seventh consecutive semester of enrollment growth. 

This fall, total enrollment at the Huron campus rose 7.3%, bringing the student body to 2,259 – the highest number in a decade. The incoming class of first-year and transfer students has grown nearly 40% in three years, demonstrating how strongly the region values the affordability and career-focused opportunities BGSU Firelands provides. 

Balde is also one of many students who benefit from The Firelands Grant, a program that guarantees affordability by covering any remaining tuition balance after all other aid is applied. For many families, that makes higher education not only possible but practical.  

“The Firelands Grant was designed with students like Kendall in mind,” said Dr. Allia Carter, dean of BGSU Firelands. “It ensures that cost does not stand in the way of choosing college, giving students the confidence to pursue their goals. When paired with our strong academic support, it becomes a powerful pathway to student success."

For these students, The Firelands Grant can be life-changing, removing financial barriers and opening doors to degrees that translate directly into meaningful careers. Carter said the upward enrollment trend also represents the growing role of BGSU Firelands as a partner in the region’s vitality.  

Programs in health care, business, technology and education continue to attract students preparing for high-demand fields. Recently refreshed offerings in digital content creation and computer networking and cybersecurity are equipping students with marketable skills, while hybrid programs like respiratory care give working professionals flexibility to advance. 

“This growth shows that students and families recognize the value of a Firelands education,” Carter said. “As the BGSU regional campus, we provide the personal attention of a close-knit college while connecting students to the breadth and opportunities of a major public university. It’s a model that works and one that continues to move both our campus and our community forward."

The momentum is especially notable given that many colleges nationwide are seeing enrollment decline. At Firelands, however, students are choosing the campus for its affordability, its reputation for supportive faculty and the ability to access the resources of a large public university while staying close to home.  

For students like Balde, that support makes the difference. Small class sizes mean professors know her by name, while the close-knit campus environment makes it easy to get involved and build connections. 

"Kendall is part of a community here," said Rob Drapcho, director of enrollment management at BGSU Firelands. "She's learning from faculty who also live in her community and care about her as a person. That commitment to each other is what makes this region – and this University – so special." 

That sense of belonging extends beyond academics. Firelands students take part in leadership opportunities, community service projects and internships with local organizations. The combination of classroom learning and real-world experience helps them graduate prepared for both careers and continued study. 

As BGSU Firelands celebrates its 60th anniversary this fall, students like Balde highlight the importance of the campus in shaping futures and strengthening the region.