UNA selected to Alabama Space Grant Consortium

FLORENCE – The University of North Alabama has been selected to be part of the Alabama Space Grant Consortium, a collaboration that will provide resources and other opportunities for the university while also allowing UNA to foster talent, support research initiatives, and further the cause of space science. 

“We are thrilled to have this opportunity to work with the ASGC on research and other initiatives that will be beneficial to our faculty and students,” said Dr. Katie Kinney, interim provost and vice president for Academic Affairs. “The efforts of Dr. Matt Green (interim dean of the College of Education and Human Sciences) helped lead the charge that resulted in this exciting venture for the university, and I believe it perfectly aligns with our academic mission as well as our role as Alabama’s Workforce Development University.” 

The Alabama Space Grant Consortium was formed in 1989 when NASA implemented the  National Space Grant College and Fellowship Program. It is a voluntary association of all eight research universities in the state, along with other community colleges, educational outreach, industrial and government. 

“The mission of the Alabama Space Grant Consortium is both STEM workforce development and increased realization of the value of space science and technology to the people of  Alabama,” said Dr. Dale Thomas, ASGC Director. “The academic and research programs of UNA are very complementary to the academic and research programs of the other seven  universities constituting the consortium, and UNA has a particularly strong outreach capability. 

“We believe that the Alabama Space Grant Consortium will realize significant benefits from having UNA as a member.” 

The other Alabama universities in the consortium are Alabama A&M, Auburn University,  Tuskegee University, the University of Alabama, the University of Alabama at Birmingham,  the University of Alabama in Huntsville, and the University of South Alabama. 

“Membership in the Alabama Space Grant Consortium will expand collaborative opportunities for a broad group of faculty members and students from various academic disciplines across the university,” said Green. “The partnership aligns perfectly with UNA’s goal of providing transformative experiences for our undergraduate and graduate students.”