Augusta, GA
Augusta University invests $6M to boost faculty amid enrollment surge
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Augusta University announced the investment of $6 million in funding to help keep up with its record-breaking enrollment numbers.
Last fall, university officials announced its highest-ever student enrollment record. Last fall, AU celebrated the enrollment of 10,546 students, an increase of 7.5% over fall 2022 and a 26.6% increase since 2015. Included in that highest-ever number was another record: 1,162 Freshmen.
Now, that number is forcing the university to keep up.
The funding will go towards 43 new faculty, 24 new full-time staff, two temporary positions, and 42 new student-worker positions, as well as the necessary infrastructure to support those individuals.
The funding will also support all areas of enrollment growth through increasing student support in areas like Academic Advisement, the Academic Success Center, and the Center for Writing Excellence.
“As Georgia’s flagship health sciences and medical research university, home of the Georgia Cyber Innovation and Training Center, and a national leader in student success, we strive every day to provide our students with an innovative and personalized learning and discovery environment that helps prepare them for the workforce, and our continued enrollment growth reflects that commitment,” said President Brooks A. Keel, Ph.D.
The colleges and departments identified as needing the most immediate faculty and staff additions are the College of Education and Human Development, College of Science and Mathematics, James M. Hull College of Business, Pamplin College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences, Enrollment and Student Affairs, Human Resources, the Office of the Vice Provost, and University Libraries.
The university hopes to have these spots filled before the next academic year.
Copyright 2024 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The 10th annual Juneteenth Augusta Festival brought families to the Augusta Fairgrounds on Friday despite the muggy heat.
Cultural and community-focused events, live music performances and food trucks were available at the celebration.
Tonia Hill, attending the Juneteenth celebration, said she loves the holiday and is supporting the community, though she acknowledged the weather conditions.
“I love Juneteenth. And I’m supporting everybody. It’s hot. It’s hot. It’s hot,” Hill said.
The festival runs until 10 p.m.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The Augusta Dream Center is seeing more families turn to its food pantry this summer as children lose access to school lunches.
Organizations like the Augusta Dream Center see a surge in families who relied on school lunches during the academic year, according to Hallie Kohan, assistant director.
“We see a lot more families that have young kids who are in need that simply don’t have those meals they are normally getting,” Kohan said. “We see an influx of families that come through.”
Demand is up, but the food supply is not keeping pace.
“Right now we are having some food distribution issues so while we are seeing an increase in families, we are seeing a decrease in the amount of food coming through our doors,” Kohan said.
The center is asking the community to host food drives or donate kid-friendly items such as mac and cheese and oatmeal.
Every Sunday the Dream Center opens its doors for a hot meal, serving as many as 120 people.
“Families can come in and get their hot meal. They sit down, it’s dignified, it’s a diner,” Kohan said. “It’s a welcoming experience for kids to come in and not feel like they are in need.”
No paperwork is required to receive help.
“Just because you think someone is in a great situation, in today’s economy you never know,” Kohan said. “It could be your neighbor, mom, or best friend.”
The Augusta Dream Center food pantry is open Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to noon and Thursdays from 5 to 6 p.m. Hot meals are served Sundays from 5 to 6 p.m.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Construction continues on the James Brown Linear Park in downtown Augusta, with ceiling tiles now installed inside the park structures.
The tiles feature designs showcasing the Godfather of Soul from different years in his career.
According to the city, the completed park will include an interactive water feature that will “dance” to Brown’s greatest hits. A statue of the music icon will return to a new stage at the park.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
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