NAU

I’m so proud to share that for the first time, Northern Arizona University is recognized as one of the top 100 research universities without a medical school by the National Science Foundation. NAU also moved to 201 for all universities in the United States, up from 213 in 2017.

Flagstaff and Northern Arizona, as well as our undergraduate and graduate students, are experiencing the benefits of NAU’s advanced national ranking as a top research university as measured by the National Science Foundation’s Higher Education Research and Development (HERD) Survey.

Our research programs connect to Flagstaff and Northern Arizona employers and solutions, and their success directly translates to opportunities for our community. TGen North is just one clear example of this success. 

Research at NAU contributed to the overall $2.5 billion economic impact generated by NAU as well as provides critical answers to state-wide and community issues such as forest health, water quality and supply, health solutions and access to care, education best practices and astronomy.

The ranking reflects the achievements of NAU’s world-class faculty, dedicated research and support staff, talented graduate and undergraduate students, and our goal of continued research and innovation in partnership with education and workforce development as a strong central contributor to NAU’s ongoing success.

Under the leadership of Wally Covington, Ph.D., and the commitment of the team at the Ecological Restoration Institute, NAU has enhanced understanding of forest management, environmental conservation, and steps we can take to protect our forests and prevent wildfires.

Dr. Han-Sup Han joined our team as director of Forest Operations and Biomass Utilization that will establish research, development and applications in Northern Arizona. 

The National Institutes of Health awarded a $21.4 million grant to NAU’s Southwest Health Equity Research Collaborative. This investment will expand our capacity for biomedical, clinical and behavioral research. Dr. Julie Baldwin, and the incredible team of faculty researchers’ work is impacting many lives in our state.

On the strength of a 14.5 percent increase in reportable research expenditures in 2018 over 2017, NAU anticipates another step up in NSF’s ranking next year, amid significant competition from NSF survey peer institutions.

Congratulations and thanks are shared broadly as this impressive research recognition is a direct result of the efforts of so many individuals within our campus community, and many throughout Northern Arizona. FBN 

By Rita Cheng

Rita Cheng is the president of Northern Arizona University.

Benjamin Franklin once said, “An investment in knowledge always pays the best interest.” The success of NAU’s alumni proves this to be true. Their accomplishments are a living, enduring testament to the benefit of an investment in the NAU experience.   

Robin Braun credits her time at NAU with the skills that led her to serve as a pilot for the Navy SEALs, as a rear admiral in the U.S. Navy and in leadership roles at Naval Operations in Washington, D.C.   

Martin Casado believes his years of study at NAU trained him for an incredible path in computer science, a role as a co–founder of the network virtualization company Nicira, and a leadership role as the general manager of networking at VMWare. 

Evan Wolff’s NAU degree led him to serve as an expert on homeland security and cybersecurity, first as an advisor at the Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission and then as an author and attorney. 

Mary O’Driscoll’s time at NAU prepared her for an important career reporting on energy policy and directing media relations for the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.   

Thomas P. Smith’s education here led him to co-found TASER International, building it into a very successful company before dedicating his skills to founding new companies. 

Shelly Bunge’s studies prepared her for an illustrious career first as a diplomat to Tunisia, and then as an executive vice president of Music Business Affairs for Sony Pictures. Her team has won two Grammys for movie soundtracks, and launched the career of the a cappella group Pentatonix.   

David Mangelsdorf’s NAU training led him into an academic career full of accolades and recognitions for his work on therapeutic strategies that treat a variety of diseases. 

Lisa Bacus’s NAU degrees launched her successful career in marketing for Ford Motor Company, American Family Insurance Group, and Cigna. 

Former Arizona Governor Raul H. Castro used his NAU education as a foundation for service to our state.  Richard N. Morrison continues his dedication to Arizona as an accomplished attorney, Episcopal priest, philanthropist and co-founder of the Morrison Institute for Public Policy.  Debbi Fitzgerald uses her success in financial advising to open doors for other women through the Arizona Professional Women’s Network and America’s Gender Equity Network. Lattie Coor continues to contribute great thought and visionary leadership through prominent roles with education and business groups, and founded the Center for the Future of Arizona.   

This is just a small sample of NAU’s alumni success, and many more stories of great accomplishment will come as our recent graduates and current students make their way into a world of possibilities. They are prepared because of an investment in knowledge, a commitment to improving the world around them and a dedication to living the principles of service they have learned in our programs. 

We are building the workforce Arizona needs, and the commitment required to succeed against all obstacles. Thank you to all who support our students, applaud our graduates and celebrate the lasting impact of NAU’s investments in knowledge. QCBN 

By Rita Cheng 

Rita Cheng is the president of Northern Arizona University. 

Having celebrated the end of 2018 and the achievements of more than 2,800 fall Lumberjack graduates, Northern Arizona University is looking to make 2019 another exceptional year.

However, before we get too far ahead of ourselves, I would like to thank Flagstaff and all the communities of Northern Arizona for your assistance and support. NAU experienced tremendous success because of our partnerships with residents, communities and business leaders.

I am proud of the warm and welcoming way Flagstaff and NAU started our fall semester – joining together to visit our neighbors as community and NAU leaders, students and Southside residents. I have enjoyed the many opportunities I’ve had this year to listen to and speak with members of our Flagstaff and campus communities. You continue to inspire me with your passion and your dedication to ensuring that we retain the high quality of life and vibrant college town we all love.

NAU’s 2025 Strategic Plan was created through broad input from our campus and Flagstaff communities, and is reflected in our mission, vision, values and goals. There are plans and initiatives related to these goals that are already underway, including our Campus Master Planning effort. A new campus master plan will guide our use of campus property, new facilities and upgraded spaces within existing facilities. An important part of this master planning process is the opportunity for the campus and Flagstaff communities to review potential plans and to provide input on those plans. I encourage you to participate in these discussions.

There are innumerable accomplishments and points of pride that we have celebrated together. Exceptional academic achievements, rising from 213 to 201 in the National Science Foundation national research rankings, 96th among universities without a medical school, our three-time national champion cross-country team, regional and national awards for our music and theater programs, and recognitions given to the Model UN and debate teams are just a few examples of our success.

Because of your continued support, we are already looking ahead to what we can accomplish this year. We will be working with our partners and donors to help us secure the resources necessary to meet our strategic priorities. One great example is the support we have received for the new Kitt Recital Hall, designed and built to meet the needs of NAU and our community.

I look forward to working with the leaders and residents of Flagstaff, Coconino County, Northern Arizona and our stakeholders throughout the state again next year to make more dreams come true for our students and to create even more possibilities for our communities and our state. QCBN

By Rita Cheng

Rita Cheng is the president of Northern Arizona University.

Last month, Northern Arizona University’s faculty and staff from around the state gathered online and on our Flagstaff campus for the 2018 Fall Campus Forum. I enjoy the many ways I get to interact with our Lumberjack family throughout the year, but our Campus Forum is especially valuable. It is a great way to hit “pause” on our busy lives and take time to focus on the impact we have on our students, our state and our world. It is a time to celebrate what we have accomplished and remember what motivates us to reach for more.

Tom and I have been a part of the Flagstaff community for five years now. We know that our neighbors are an important part of our Lumberjack family, so I want to share highlights of our Campus Forum discussion with you.

Contribution to the Economy

An updated economic impact study by the Alliance Bank Economic Policy Institute recently showed that NAU contributes more than $2.5 billion to Arizona’s economy annually – a 25 percent increase from the estimated impact in 2016, when adjusted for improved methodology and higher enrollment numbers. Our impact comes from the 22,000 jobs NAU supports throughout the state, as well as the number of Arizona students who come to NAU and remain after graduation.

Responding to Arizona’s Changing Workforce Needs

Our graduates stay in Arizona because our programs train them for our state’s workforce needs. We adapt to prepare for the jobs of today and tomorrow and provide hands-on experience and preparation. Many local employers rely on our degree programs for their employees because they know our graduates are prepared to thrive in the workplace.

Now more than ever, NAU is essential to Arizona’s success.

Continually Improving

But, we know we must always reach for more, so NAU’s Strategic Plan charts our course toward an even greater benefit to Arizona. It reflects the insight from across our campus and community, and identifies the priorities that will enhance our service to students, employers, members of our communities, and our faculty and staff.

Student Success and Access

At NAU, our focus on enrollment and retention has led to the development of in-demand degree programs, strong mentoring connections and an environment that celebrates and enhances learning. We meet students where they are, and we prioritize affordability and financial aid to ensure that students from every background can succeed at our university.

Research and Discovery

NAU’s research programs are growing in their success and their impact. Our researchers participate in groundbreaking studies, patents, inventions and national publications. Both graduate and undergraduate students participate alongside these renowned experts to gain first-hand, experiential knowledge. We are closer than ever to ranking within the top 200 research universities in the United States, as measured by the National Science Foundation.

Outreach to Native Americans

NAU has had a strong commitment to our Native American neighbors throughout the history of our university, and we seek to enhance those connections. We actively partner with Native American tribes to recruit Native American students, and we provide robust resources and support to help these students succeed. Our connection to Native American students is long-lasting: a recent survey found that almost half of NAU’s current Native American students come from legacy families, following a parent or grandparent who is an NAU graduate.

Engagement

Our community has always shaped and enhanced the NAU experience, and our students benefit from our neighbors’ support. Engagement is enjoyable for us and will always be a priority – everyone at NAU loves our community and values our opportunities to blend the university we love with our daily lives outside the campus. Through engagement, we prepare educated, engaged citizens and strengthen the values of civic responsibility.

Stewardship

Stewardship is the result of our commitment to continually improve in all aspects of university operations – including better educational opportunities, employee care, financial management and infrastructure investments.

Every student who enrolls, every graduate who builds a career on his or her NAU degree, every member of our alumni who enhances Arizona’s economy and community – they are the reason we do what we do. They are the reason we work together, why we adapt and expand high-demand programs. Every day that we are here and everything we do comes down to this: we make it possible for our students to achieve success in a changing world.

NAU stands on a strong foundation that allows us to address the challenges that come our way. Though economic conditions and expectations of higher education may shift, our focus on our students remains constant. FBN

By Rita Cheng

Rita Cheng is the president of Northern Arizona University.

Last month, Northern Arizona University hosted the Arizona Board of Regents for in-depth discussions about Arizona’s educational attainment and NAU’s important role in shaping our state’s workforce. I want to share a recent column that ABOR Chairman Ron Shoopman published during his time in Flagstaff. His message reflects NAU’s conviction that higher education transforms our state and our economy.   

I am grateful for Regent Shoopman’s vision for Arizona and his commitment to NAU. Our university is proud to play a unique and important role in advancing educational attainment across Arizona.  

By Ron Shoopman, Arizona Board of Regents Chairman:  

Higher education is one of the most important investments an individual – or our state – can make. 

Study after study confirms this, whether you look at economic measures (higher wages and rates of employment) or quality of life (longer life expectancy and better health). 

This isn’t opinion; it’s fact. While we’re always looking for ways to improve the value of a public university education – something I and the rest of the Arizona Board of Regents will be doing this week when we meet in Flagstaff at Northern Arizona University – there’s little question an investment in higher education pays off for students and the state of Arizona. 

Graduates of Arizona Public Universities Earn More 

A 2017 report finds that graduates of Arizona State University, Northern Arizona University and the University of Arizona have median annual earnings of $50,500, nearly double those of individuals with a high school diploma alone ($27,700). 

Graduates of Arizona public universities are also more likely to be employed and have stronger earning power five years after graduation – even when factoring in the impact of student-loan debt. Over the course of a career, university graduates earn an estimated $1 million more than those with a high school degree alone. 

Arizona Needs More Graduates 

Unfortunately, Arizona high school students go to college at a rate far less than the national average. Arizona’s economy is transitioning to a skills-based economy in which the majority of jobs demand some kind of education beyond high school. Without a higher rate of educational attainment, we know Arizona’s economy will underperform. 

Lack of educational attainment is a primary limiting factor, not only on individual prosperity, but also the economy of entire communities where college enrollment and completion rates remain low. Identifying ways to improve attainment within these communities and socioeconomic groups is a board priority. 

The bottom line: To be successful, every student needs to plan for additional training beyond high school. Those who attain a college diploma will simply have more choices and career opportunities. Arizona’s economy depends on it. To be certain, NAU is an essential part of the equation to advance and transform Arizona’s economy. 

Arizona is Home to Three Cost-Effective Universities 

The rising cost of higher education is a national concern. Ensuring access to an affordable, quality education is board priority, and the board and our public universities are making progress when it comes to cutting costs and improving tuition predictability. For two decades, NAU has been providing students and families with greater tuition predictability and savings through its NAU Pledge guaranteed tuition program. Mindful of the costs for students and families and focused on continuing to provide high-quality education for all Arizonans, NAU remains committed to this important program as well as the accessible, affordable and quality options for earning a degree throughout Arizona and online. 

At a time when colleges in other states are experiencing shrinking enrollment, Arizona universities are healthy and growing. This is something we can all celebrate. 

Good News for Arizona Graduates 

Arizona’s economy is growing and evolving. Our universities recognize this challenge and are working hard to ensure its students receive the skills and training they’ll need in the marketplace. We’re keenly focused on not just the cost of a university degree, but also its value. We’re working with the universities to provide greater tuition predictability to Arizona students and families, new degree options and alternative coursework settings – including online. QCBN 

Rita Cheng is the president of Northern Arizona University.