Strengthening Arizona $1.85 billion to the state partnerships technology research jobs 2015 NAU is an enduring contributor to the ongoing success of Arizona Northern Arizona University’s origins lie in the rural expanse of the Colorado Plateau, yet today’s truth is that you are never far from the university if you are anywhere in Arizona. Most Arizonans’ lives are touched in some way by NAU through teaching or research or public service. Reaching across the state to form relationships with organizations, communities and citizens, NAU works to make the best use of resources, using adaptability and persistence as essential tools. Our faculty, staff and partners dedicate themselves to provide access and affordability to higher education. We take a strong approach to student success through rigorous coursework and meaningful research. Serving all students well means adapting to changes in technology and our own capabilities so we can meet our goals to continue to enrich the quality of life in Arizona. Long-term success hinges on a solid financial footing and visionary leadership. Despite facing severe budget reductions, we have set an ambitious course for our future. I can assure you it is a future that honors our most basic commitments and keeps us all well aware of why NAU matters to so many. NAU has spent decades strengthening Arizona and positioning itself to reach a new level of performance and value to the state. We are ready to rise to the occasion. Rita Hartung Cheng President 2 nau.edu Research: A cornerstone of student success Long before the practice was popular, NAU engaged undergraduate students in research projects across campus, a practice that has enhanced learning and student success. From forestry, engineering, sustainability and the social sciences, research is woven through the curriculum as part of the university’s mission. NAU’s research and public service expenditures are expected to total nearly $70 million this year. A fight against infectious disease Undergraduate Cedar Mitchell recently traveled to Madagascar to share her infectious disease research and NAU technology for identifying deadly strains of plague. Mitchell works closely with David Wagner, associate director for the university’s Center for Microbial Genetics and Genomics. The team developed sophisticated genetic fingerprinting techniques to aid Madagascar’s plague epidemic, responsible for dozens of deaths. First-hand scientific education for undergraduates NAU is about undergraduate education, but these students also provide a large motivated research workforce. Much of the university’s international success in pathogen genomics has been driven by undergraduate hard work and devotion alongside worldrenowned expert Paul Keim. In return, students get a scientific education that is based upon workplace experience in a real-life research environment. Out-of-this-world research David Trilling, associate professor and astronomer, is one of the world’s leading asteroid researchers. Asteroids are the solar system’s most common yet least understood objects. Trilling is working on several NASA-funded projects to identify and research hundreds of asteroids including those that could pose a risk to Earth. 3 Billions of reasons explain NAU’s ripple effect on Arizona Northern Arizona University’s impact on the state is significant, and its success invigorates Arizona’s economy. Thanks to the support of several partners, NAU strives to ensure the success of the people it serves through access to higher education, guidance and affordability. NAU is built upon relationships with students, community college and business partners, and the community. From a partnership with American Campus Communities to provide new residence halls for students on campus to a relationship with the city, Drury Hotels and Sodexo to build the High Country Conference Center, NAU has a commitment to working with others. As a result of NAU’s efforts, Flagstaff is among the top ten college towns in America. $1.85 BILLION in economic activity contributed by NAU to Arizona each year One in five jobs in Coconino County is created by NAU. 20,300 Arizona jobs exist as a result of NAU’s economic impacts 88,600 Arizona- based alumni Phoenix Biomedical Campus generated an estimated $17.5 million during the last fiscal year, a figure $39 million expected to grow to about $39 million annually by 2019. PAY $68 million annually in state INCOME TAX 4 $17.5 million 2014 2019 3 research page - professor a ”The CCC2NAU partnership is pioneering because students persist, graduate with associate’s degrees and move on to bachelor’s degrees at significantly higher rates than non-participants. This collaboration has become a nationwide model for student success.” Leah Bornstein, President Coconino Community College ”There are very few university programs that can offer the kind of scale and proximity to state-of-the-art research facilities that NAU can with our expanded partnership and I think it bodes well for attracting top-flight students.” Jeffrey Hall, Director Lowell Observatory ”In addition to bringing in millions of research dollars for Arizona, our partnership benefits both entities – we are incredibly successful in building each other up and adding to each other’s capabilities.” David Engelthaler, Director of Programs and Operations TGen North ”NAU’s College of Education students, who do teacher training at our elementary school, have become an essential component to Marshall Magnet School’s success. We are fortunate to have been able to collaborate for more than 20 years.” John Coe, Principal Marshall Elementary Magnet School 5 Making all the difference Student success can be measured in any number of ways, from graduating and finding a job or getting into top-notch graduate programs. Some students celebrate earning a scholarship or maintaining a B average. At Northern Arizona University, student success also encompasses impact, engagement and opportunity. It’s NAU and students making a difference. Atten-hut! Military benefits at NAU Military veterans flourish at Northern Arizona University, and NAU has the credentials to prove it. Military Times magazine has presented NAU with two “Best for Vets” awards, one for universities and another for business schools. The W. A. Franke College of Business’s commitment to veteran student success is evident in the college-specific Veteran Student Center, made possible by the donation of business school alumnus and Vietnam veteran Dale Butcher and his wife Julie. NAU made a difference in Dale’s life options and he wanted to “give back.” The Veteran Student Center— one of the first of its kind housed in a business college in the country—works to support student veterans transitioning to college life and to their business careers. App takes infection fight to the palm of your hand Gates Scholars continue success through NAU The Gates Millennium Scholars program is building momentum in the success of underserved student populations at Northern Arizona University and nationwide. The program, established through a $1.5 billion grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, has increased its current enrollment at NAU to 33 students with nine new freshmen last fall, mostly Native American students. “The Gates Millennium Scholars program is a natural fit for NAU because we understand how important student support services are to overall success, especially for first-generation and underserved student populations,” said President Rita Cheng, a first-generation college graduate herself. 6 A small group of students has created a computer-based application to reduce the spread of infection in clinical settings and potentially save lives. The technology uses wireless Bluetooth and cellphones to encourage proper hand hygiene. Omar Badreldin and students Duke Ayers, Ian Humphrey and Michael Albanese, designed the app and supporting software. Campaign pushes Lumberjacks to success The “Only at NAU” campaign is nearing the home stretch, and while we still have a way to go— it is a marathon, after all—we are nearing our goal of $100 million. Thanks to your generosity, NAU can continue to provide scholarships and only-at-NAU opportunities to current and future Lumberjacks. Connect to nau.edu/campaign to learn how your gift can affect the lives of students and society. E x t e n d i n g education’s reach NAU students are enrolled worldwide, earning bachelor’s and master’s degrees online at reduced tuition rates. The university was recently named the top online college by Best College Reviews. NAU also has 35 extended campus sites throughout Arizona where students can take affordable classes in person, often while working full time. Personalized Learning Personalized Learning is an affordable online bachelor’s degree completion program. Students pay six-month subscription rates and receive faculty support for the self-paced program. Work experience may help students advance more quickly. NAU-Yavapai NAU-Yavapai in Prescott Valley offers four selective programs for students who want to finish college in three years. The streamlined degrees include five-week classes, which combine in-person and online learning. Phoenix Biomedical Campus NAU’s Biomedical Campus in downtown Phoenix is preparing Arizona’s future health care professionals. With degree programs for physical therapy, physician assistants and occupational therapists, students work in modern academic, research and clinical facilities. The Phoenix Biomedical Campus is a collaboration between NAU, the University of Arizona and the city of Phoenix. NAU-Yuma NAU-Yuma, a federally designated Hispanic-Serving Institution, provides National Science Foundation scholarship support for underprivileged students who are completing a two-year degree in biology or environmental sciences. 7 Student-athletes set the pace for success Going the distance in the classroom For two years running, Northern Arizona University has captured the Big Sky Conference President’s Cup, recognizing overall athletic program success based on team grade point averages. Last year, NAU student-athletes posted the highest Graduation Success Rates percentage of Arizona’s state universities, earned 117 All-Big Sky Academic Honors and finished with a 3.12 grade point average. Community all-stars Sights aimed on achievement On the Flagstaff campus, high altitude translates to high performance. Since 2004, athletics teams have produced more than 37 Big Sky Championships. During 2013-14 both men’s and women’s teams brought home Big Sky All-Sports trophies, received 46 All-Big Sky Honors and earned five Big Sky Coach of the Year accolades. nau.edu/athletics When not pursuing athletic or academic endeavors, Lumberjacks can be found lending a hand in their community. The 2013-2014 academic year set a record with 4,378 community service hours served by student-athletes. Participatory events have included the MLK Day of Service, National Girls & Women in Sports Day and other volunteer opportunities.
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