Alfred University enrolls largest international student cohort in six years

This fall marks a milestone for Alfred University: the campus community is welcoming the largest number of international students in the past six years. The incoming class for 2025-26 includes 57 international students representing 29 countries. Scholars from across the globe are bringing new perspectives, cultures, and ambitions to campus - strengthening Alfred's reputation as a supportive, inclusive environment for learning and growth.

Among these new faces are Holly Limo and Johnson Jasson, two first-year engineering students from Tanzania, and Alia Wahban, a biology student from Canada,whose journeys to Alfred highlight the dreams international students carry with them.

Holly arrived at Alfred to use her studies in mechanical engineering as a stepping stone toward mechatronics and electrical engineering. Her long-term goal is personal and profound: to design accessibility devices inspired by her family's experience with disability.

"I wanted to create something meaningful, something that could help people live better their lives," Holly explained. "That's why engineering made sense to me-it's about solving problems and building things that matter."

After taking a gap year, Holly discovered Alfred through the Common App and was drawn to its close-knit community and supportive environment. "I didn't know much about the school at first," she admitted. "But the more I looked into it, the more it felt right. I decided to try my luck - and it worked."

Holly has already thrown herself into campus life, joining nearly 1- clubs, from the Society of Women Engineers to the International Students' Association. She's also found joy in Alfred's scenic outdoors. After joining Alfred's outdoors club, Forest People, she said, "The forests, the mountains, the wildlife - it makes this place special."

Holly wants to push herself in the classroom, get involved on campus, and build real connections along the way - while also enjoying her time in Alfred.

For Johnson, Alfred University checked all the right boxes: a smaller campus, AACSB accreditation, and a strong engineering program. Initially interested in data analytics, he shifted toward electrical engineering while still planning to keep data as part of his studies.

"Data is like the new oil - it's powerful, and I want to be part of shaping its future," Johnson said.

Johnson's immediate priority is to secure an internship or research opportunity, while his long-term vision is to gain professional experience at leading companies such as Tesla or NVIDIA before ultimately founding his own technology-focused business.

Adjusting to a smaller community has been an interesting experience for Johnson.

"Back home, I was used to big cities. Alfred is smaller, but that means you really get to know people," he explained. One of his first encounters was joining a board games event during the welcome week, only to later discover he had been playing with the president of the Student Senate. "It showed me how approachable people are here."

Alia arrived at Alfred with a strong record of achievement: a first-place award and special recognition at the International Science and Engineering Fair for her hydrogen sensor research. She now sees Alfred as the place to expand on that work and explore how science can address climate change and its urgent public health challenges.

"I love it here! The atmosphere, my peers and teammates, my professors - everyone has been so welcoming, supportive, and kind," Alia said. "It makes me excited to learn and to keep pushing myself."

Already enrolled in Alfred's medical Early Acceptance Program, she views her undergraduate years as preparation for the rigors of medical school and as training to sharpen her skills as both a researcher and a future physician. She is eager to immerse herself in biology and biomaterials engineering, to join new clubs, and to connect with people who share her drive to solve global issues.

Students like Holly and Johnson show why Alfred's growing international community matters. They bring unique goals, personal stories, ambitions, and perspectives that add depth and energy to campus life. As Alfred celebrates welcoming its largest international student class in six years, the university looks ahead with excitement, knowing these students will not only gain from Alfred's education and support but will also impact the campus community through leadership, innovation, and the connections they build along the way.