From campus growth to pop politics: Radford University experts weigh in on enrollment, debates and the Swift Effect
Radford, VA (09/13/2024) — Good morning,
These are current Radford University Subject Matter Experts who are available to speak on the following topics:
Enrollment Growth
Radford University experienced year-over-year growth for the first time since 2019, as fall 2024 preliminary census figures captured on Sept. 9 revealed a total of 7,686 total students, an increase over the fall 2023 headcount. On the main campus, undergraduate, in-person student totals jumped to 5,059, 396 more students than fall 2023, and the 5,927 combined undergraduate and graduate students enrolled represent an increase of 6% over last fall's headcount.
Dannette Gomez Beane, Vice President of Enrollment Management and Strategic Communications, is available to talk about how the university accomplished this growth and how it's sustainable for years to come.
Will there be another presidential debate? Probably not.
Presidential debates are more important in 2024 than they have been for decades, said Chapman Rackaway, Ph.D., a professor and chair of the Department of Political Science at Radford University.
"One debate caused a change in a party's presidential nominee and more than 60 million people watched the most recent Harris-Trump debate," Rackaway said. "There's so much interest that demand has increased for another debate. This is particularly true, Rackaway explained "since we have a candidate who is still relatively brand new to the campaign in Harris and one with such a long history as Trump. The public is looking to these debates as a chance to learn more about the capability and character of the two nominees."
Rackaway is available to speak about the dynamics of the presidential campaign, the likelihood of more debates, how the candidates and their campaigns reacted to the results of the Sept. 10 debate, and how these debates can impact the overall campaign.
Email: crackaway@radford.edu
Phone: 540-831-6602
Swift response
Hours after Taylor Swift endorsed Kamala Harris in an Instagram, there were more than 338,000 visitors to Vote.gov that were referred from the pop star's post, according to the General Services Administration.
"Whether it's Taylor mobilizing the Swifties on behalf of Harris-Walz, or Kid Rock broadcasting his support for Trump-Vance, celebrities are in demand from political candidates," Rackaway said. "Celebrities get people interested who aren't paying attention to politics, can leverage donations from fans to candidates and provide social media fodder for the political pundit class."
Rackaway is available to further discuss celebrity political endorsements, their effects, and who else we might see cast their support behind a nominee.
Rackaway is an expert on the U.S. presidency, American voting behavior, campaign strategy and management, political communication, social media in politics, and political polarization.
Email: crackaway@radford.edu
Phone: 540-831-6602
If you would like any other resources please contact Justin Ward, Director of Media Services.
Radford University
Justin Ward (540) 831-1953, jward53@radford.eduShare this Story
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