Settling In
2025-2026 Incoming Class finds community at Antioch
Antioch College welcomed a record setting number of students this winter. Both the fall and winter admits are settling in and excited about what awaits them on their new path.
“I’m looking forward to learning more about my future career in immigration law. I’m especially interested in understanding how the field operates and what goes on behind the scenes as lawyers work to support and advocate for individuals and families in need. I want to better understand the process and the impact this work has on real people’s lives,” said Leira Orante, first-year student interested in studying immigration law.
Antioch College welcomed 42 new students to campus this fall.
About 80 percent of the fall incoming class was Pell-eligible and a quarter of students were first generation college students, signaling Antioch remains committed to being a college that is not only quality, but also accessible to anyone who wants to pursue higher education.
“What my favorite thing about Antioch is how inviting everyone is and how easily accessible everything is. The staff and students have been really inviting, coming from a chaotic Job Corps, this is pretty much a vacation for me. It has been super easy to settle into things, this place has made me feel like I belong more than anywhere else,” said new student Ayden McClain who is interested in studying writing.
A variety of states were also represented by the fall class with 40 percent of students being from Ohio and 11 states represented overall.
This winter marked the largest incoming winter class since reopening, indicating a strong upward trend in overall enrollment as the College works toward the goal of 175 total students. Twenty-one new students were admitted this winter. Six of those students are transfers. The previous largest winter class was 8.
Not only are students looking forward to their co-op’s and academics, they are also finding their favorite spaces on campus. For Orante it’s the Wellness Center and for McClain it’s South Hall lounge.
“It helps me clear my mind when I feel stress but it also helps me move my body and stay healthy,” Orante said.
“My favorite spot on campus has to be south hall third floor lounge, it’s where I get to chill out and get work done, its super quiet and cozy. If I get overwhelmed or overstimulated I sit on the couch to get my brain and mind up to speed,” McClain said.
“Also A (Work Program Manage, A Tassy) has a coffee machine and a coffee bar, I am heavily addicted to coffee. If I could I would drink a gallon or more a day.”