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
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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.
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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
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$17.5 million
2014
2019
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.