FLORENCE — For the first time in its 192-year history, the University of North Alabama surpassed 10,000 students.
Fall 2022 marks the 14th consecutive term of record enrollment, with increases among every student type – on-campus, online, freshmen, transfer, graduate, undergraduate,
international, adult, and Early College.
“This momentous growth amidst an acutely challenging state and national enrollment
environment is indicative of UNA’s successful smart growth strategy that neither overinvests nor under invests in any single enrollment strategy,” said Dr. Ross Alexander, provost and executive vice president for Academic Affairs. “Our quantitative growth is perhaps exceeded by the growth in the quality of our academic programs and University brand, including several ‘markers of excellence’ that denote a healthy, thriving, and flourishing university.”
These markers include continued record graduation and retention rates; UNA’s highest U.S.
News & World Report rankings; the addition of doctoral programs; continued program
accreditations in business, social work, science, computing, engineering, counseling, education, nursing, and sports medicine; and a high rate of student achievement in capturing national and international awards such as Fulbright.
In addition to another enrollment record, UNA will launch its third doctoral program – the doctor of nursing practice – in spring 2023. The university is also working with the Alabama
Commission on Higher Education to add a fourth program that would include a doctor of social work in fall 2024.
UNA is also working to secure funding from a variety of sources for a standalone engineering building on campus and will add several degree and credential programs in the
Department of Engineering and Industrial Professions next fall.
“As Alabama’s Workforce Development University, we have successfully aligned many of our academic priorities with local, regional, and state political and workforce priorities – and funding has followed. UNA does its ‘brand’ of applied engineering very well and engineering is a growth area for the university,” Alexander said.
In another feat of engineering, the Guizhou University-University of North Alabama International College of Engineering and Technology, featuring UNA graduate and undergraduate degree programs in engineering, occupational health science, and sustainability launched this fall with more than 200 students in Guiyang, China. Additionally, nearly 50 students enrolled in UNA’s Early Childhood Education program on the campus of Huizhou University in Guangzhou, China. These international collaborations embody UNA’s success as a global campus.
“Our growth strategy is intentional, and this historic enrollment of more than 10,000 is evidence that our academic priorities around workforce development resonate with learners of all types,” said UNA President Dr. Ken Kitts. “The UNA campus is vibrant and thriving, and this benchmark is part of UNA’s overall success, from our record fundraising year to our full and active NCAA Division I status. It is truly a great time to be at UNA.”
“While exceeding 10,000 students is certainly a noteworthy achievement, UNA’s ascendency as a first-choice university for every type of learner throughout a career and a lifetime is just remarkable,” Alexander said.
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