The University of North Alabama has identified five broad university themes that guide planning and resource allocation throughout the University. These themes are intended to be aspirations in that they are assumed to inspire, to guide, and to be on-going. Each university goal should result in a number of long-term and annual initiatives that support progress toward accomplishing the broader aspiration. The five university themes with their respective goals are:

Transformational Student Experience:

• Increase experiential learning opportunities for students (e.g. internships, education abroad, study away, preceptorships, and simulations).
• Expand research opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students.
• Create curricular and co-curricular programs to engage students outside the classroom and beyond the first academic year.

Academic Excellence and Innovation:

• Promote and support an innovative, student-centered academic experience at all levels and in all modalities.
• Increase technology integration to improve and enhance student learning.
• Maintain a high-quality, student-focused, and personalized instructional and learning environment as the University grows, evolves, and diversifies its academic offerings.

Diversity and Inclusion:

• Embrace a broad definition of diversity that fosters a culture of respect for all.
• Increase diversity among students, faculty, and staff using strategic recruitment and retention initiatives.
• Develop and implement a co-curricular program focused on diversity and inclusion.
• Establish and support a Center for Social Inclusion to serve as a campus and community hub for diversity and inclusion.

Financial Sustainability:

1. Diversify and pursue public and private funding strategies to support the University and its students.
2. Invest in strategic capital and deferred maintenance projects to better support the student experience.
3. Maximize resource efficiency to ensure the future growth and expansion of the University’s mission.

Institutional Identity:

• Pursue a cohesive and shared institutional identity focused on student learning and engagement—locally, regionally, and globally.
• Develop prominent academic programs with national and international recognition at the graduate and undergraduate levels, in all modalities.
• Craft and implement a comprehensive marketing strategy with appropriate resources.