BIRMINGHAM — As Alabama A&M approaches its 150th anniversary, the school is reflecting on its heritage with an eye on the future and its growth.
At its regular October meeting,, the Alabama A&M University Board of Trustees approved a series of transformative initiatives aimed at expanding the institution’s academic offerings and global footprint.
One of those initiatives is establishing a Center for Nuclear Science and Engineering. The center will promote cutting-edge research and innovation in nuclear science.
“We’re at a great place with this university,” said Board President Pro Tempore Dr. Wayne Watts. “We have a lot of things that are moving in the right direction. We have a Board that is courageous to step out and do things that need to be done.
“We have an administration that’s moving us forward in every direction.”
Held in conjunction with Magic City Classic Week in Birmingham, the board meeting featured university-wide updates from President Daniel K. Wims and his leadership team, alongside several pivotal decisions to propel AAMU’s future growth.
Wims highlighted enrollment and retention growth as key points of success for
AAMU.
“We’re happy about the enrollment numbers, but I’m also very proud of the fact that we’re now at a 70% retention rate,” he said. “That takes a collective effort of influencing our students to ensure that they persist. Over the last two years we have really made a big leap as a result of investments made and the incredible work of our team.”
The board also approved several new academic programs, tracks and specializations designed to meet the needs of students and industries including:
- Distance Education Policy
- Concentrations – Plant and Soil Sciences (PhD)
- Specializations – MS Plant and Soil Sciences
- Minor in African American Studies
- Concentration in MBA Accounting Analytics
- Track in BA Psychology – Sports Psychology
- Track in Clinical Psychology – BA Psychology
- Track in BA Forensic Psychology
- Specialization in Clinical Mental Health Counseling – MS Counseling
- Mathematics Specialization to the Doctoral Degree in Curriculum Instruction
- Revised program title of Pre-Elementary to Early Childhood Education (P-3)
- Physics Minor
- Minor in Data Science
In addition, a variety of non-degree certificates were introduced, offering flexible and affordable educational pathways for students seeking to upskill without pursuing a full degree. These include certificates in
- Special Education-Collab Teaching Elementary K-6,
- Special Education-General Social Studies,
- Special Education-Music, Choral and Instrument,
- Secondary Education in General Science, Mathematics, Family and Consumer Sciences, English Language Arts and Kinesiology-Physical Education.
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