Central State University named HBCU of the year

The distinction is meant to point out excellence in academics, student activities, athletics and leadership at America’s HBCUs, according to HBCU Digest.

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“Without question, Central State University had a banner year in showing the full capacity of HBCU operational and cultural excellence,” Jarrett Carter, founding editor of HBCU digest said in a prepared statement.

The win means CSU leaders can enjoy their recent prosperity but only “very briefly” said president Cynthia Jackson-Hammond.

Over the last year, Central State has begun to move past enrollment and financial issues that helped land the school on state fiscal watch in 2015.

The school boosted its enrollment last fall by welcoming 634 freshmen, the largest freshmen class in the last five years, according to CSU. In April, Central State was also removed from state fiscal watch after meeting financial benchmarks monitored by the Ohio Department of Higher Education.

RELATED: Central State celebrates its 130th birthday this year

“Good is never good enough,” Jackson-Hammond said. “We were very excited but then the book starts all over again. As a matter of fact it never ends.”

Jackson-Hammond has said the university looked at the issues it faced as an opportunity to “re-position” the college, an effort that the recent award proves paid off.

Moving forward, Jackson-Hammond said Central State will continue focusing on improving education while also expanding the college’s reach.

CSU is trying to partner with area organizations more, such as Union Savings Bank, which will help prepare students for jobs in the banking industry. The school will also try to attract more international students and partnerships, Jackson-Hammond said.

RELATED: Central State works on $20 million in campus projects

The most recent award comes just a year after Jackson-Hammond was named HBCU leader of the year. This year’s award for Central State came as a complete surprise, said Jackson-Hammond, who joked about trying to win it again next year.

“That award belongs to every employee, every student and every alum,” Jackson-Hammond said. “No one person wins awards all by himself or herself…This is an institutional award and I’m just lucky enough to be at the helm.”