OUR MISSION: As a public comprehensive university located in a major metropolitan area, Northern Kentucky University delivers innovative, student-centered education and engages in impactful scholarly and creative endeavors, all of which empower our graduates to have fulfilling careers and meaningful lives, while contributing to the economic, civic, and social vitality of the region.
In January 2014, I had the honor of announcing the new strategic plan for Northern Kentucky University. This plan, Fuel the Flame, will guide our University to 2018, the 50th anniversary of the founding of the institution.
As you will see in this Annual Report, we are making progress in achieving the goals articulated in our strategic plan.
In September 2015, we will conclude the expansion and renovation of our Campus Recreation Center. This $45 million project will double the amount of space in the center, upgrade the equipment and exercise facilities, and help us maintain our ranking as one of the healthiest employers in the region.
Next Fall, we will also begin construction of our new Health Innovations Center. This project, which will include a complete renovation of Founders Hall, will enable us to offer a wide range of health care programs and integrate those programs with other disciplines, including informatics, psychology, and social work.
But the most important work that continues at our University is attracting and developing talent. Our students come from every corner of the Commonwealth and from around the world. Each student brings a unique spark of curiosity – and a desire to understand the world and to improve it.
At NKU, we aspire to ignite that spark into a flame – a lifelong quest for greater knowledge and understanding, and a passion to serve others.
As we anticipate the celebration of our 50th anniversary, I know that our future has never been brighter.
Mr. Geoffrey S. Mearns
President
At NKU, students find a supportive environment, one where they can succeed academically, expand their knowledge, and graduate on time.
1.7 Million Views
Douglas Gautraud, a 25-year-old junior marketing major from NKU, created a five-minute video called “My Mom’s Motorcycle” that won the Peoples’ Choice Prize in the Rode Microphones “My Rode Reel” international film contest. To date, his film has garnered over 1.7 million views on YouTube.
National Champions
In March 2014, Chase College of Law students Erica Blankenship and Shaun Roberts were declared National Champions at the Wagner Labor & Employment Law Competition.
26 Countries
Now more than ever, our students are seeing the world. Last year, more than 300 students traveled to more than 26 countries to further their studies and develop a global perspective.
518 Veterans
NKU was selected as a “Best for Vets College” by the Military Times Edge. NKU was the only university in the Greater Cincinnati/ Northern Kentucky region to achieve this ranking. According to Veterans Affairs, 518 veterans and family members used education benefits at NKU in Fall 2013.
Best ROI
That means ‘Return on Investment.’ According to Affordable Colleges Online, NKU students receive the highest return on their investment - more than students at any other Kentucky state college or university. Our graduates are achieving their dreams and keeping money in their pockets.
At NKU, we are raising our own academic expectations, as well as those of the region. We serve more students, produce superior graduates, and promote lifelong learning.
52% Increase
We have 26 partner high schools with dual credit courses: 982 students are participating, which is a 52% increase from 2013.
3,000 Students
NKU President Geoffrey Mearns visited nearly 3,000 high school students in 18 Kentucky counties on his tour of the state, called the “Road to NKU”. Stops included Somerset, Pikeville, Bowling Green, Owensboro, Paducah, Ashland, Louisville, and Lexington.
$1.5 Million
Dr. Dana Harley, an assistant professor in social work was part of a team that received a $1.5 million grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration. The grant provides eligible NKU students a monthly stipend and tuition assistance for specialized training and field placements.
2,919 Degrees
Last academic year, NKU awarded an all-time high number of degrees: 2,919. NKU has the highest growth rate in degrees awarded among Kentucky universities over the past 10 years.
$500,000
NKU Professor and Kentucky Center for Mathematics faculty associate Dr. Jonathan Thomas was part of a group that was awarded a nearly $500,000 National Science Foundation grant to partner with local elementary schools and develop programs to help their instructors improve teaching math to students.
At NKU, students are learning like never before, and they are participating in programs that are innovative, distinctive, experiential, and transdisciplinary.
Award Winning
NKU received an excellence and innovation award from the American Association of State Colleges and Universities in regional and economic development. NKU’s Center for Applied Informatics Virtual Co-op Program was honored for adapting the traditional co-op education model into an initiative that provides almost all services virtually.
750 Students
About 750 students prepared posters and delivered oral presentations and other creative work at the 2014 NKU Celebration of Student Research and Creativity.
$97 Million
In Spring 2014, NKU received $97 million from the state to build the Health Innovations Center, the largest state investment in a capital project in Kentucky.
Lunsford Academy
In 2014, the university celebrated the launch of the W. Bruce Lunsford Academy for Law, Business + Technology. The Academy, funded by a $1 million gift from Mr. Lunsford, will offer students the technological, financial, and professional skill sets essential to the practice of modern law.
$2 Million Grants
Steely Library offers two professional education programs that cater to 500 students from more than 35 states. NKU received two $1 million-plus grants from the Institute for Museum and Library Services to support students providing library services in the poorest Kentucky and West Virginia counties.
At NKU, we realize that part of education is giving back. We engage with the community to make it a better place and to increase regional growth and vitality.
$1 Million Investment
Northern Kentucky University is making a $1 million investment in startup business supporter Cintrifuse to help develop entrepreneurship in our region.
Outreach Lab
The new development lab at the RiverCenter in Covington provides as many as eight students at a time with hands-on experience in a corporate setting developing innovative business solutions. Funding from Clear Measures is another example of its commitment to education in the region.
$22,000 to Nonprofits
The NKU Mayerson Student Philanthropy Project awarded $22,000 to 18 local nonprofits in Spring 2014. Every semester, select university courses are given a sum of money, and the students are asked to evaluate nonprofits and then invest in those they think will make the most effective use of the funds.
$300,000 Grant
NKU’s social work and counseling programs and University Police were awarded a grant from the Department of Justice’s Office on Violence Against Women in the amount of $300,000 to fund the Norse Violence Prevention Center. The NVP Center is aimed at developing and strengthening effective, proactive measures to prevent violence against women.
1,649 Hours
Our athletes are giving back to the community. NKU student athletes completed 1,649 hours of community service last academic year.
At NKU, we see a future of influence, passion, and financial security. We are preparing our students for the modern world, with innovative facilities and the opportunity to fulfill our mission and vision.
$100 Million
The NKU Foundation’s total assets exceeded $100 million for the first time in the Foundation’s 43- year history.
Award
NKU won highest honors in the national 2014 Professional Grounds Management Society Green Star Award contest for landscape beauty and maintenance. NKU was one of only two universities to earn the Grand Award for the Colleges and University Grounds in America category.
186,000 Square Feet
When completed in Fall 2015, the 186,000 square foot recreation facility expansion will serve as yet another hub for student engagement on our campus.
Inclusive Excellence
Last year, NKU experienced a 3% increase in the number of African American students, a 12% increase in Hispanic students, and growth in the University’s LGBTQ programming. NKU also hired a Senior Advisor to the President for Inclusive Excellence.
Northern Terrace
With the opening of Northern Terrace in Fall 2014, 2,000 students are enjoying the full impact of living on campus, forging friendships, and making memories that will last a lifetime.
We look to the future with optimism and purpose. We embrace change and we will continue to evolve to meet the needs of our students, community, and Commonwealth.
At Northern Kentucky University, we look to the future with optimism and with a sense of purpose. We embrace change and we continue to evolve to meet the needs of our students, our community, and the Commonwealth.
Our Health Innovation Center will serve to educate a new workforce. These professionals will improve the health of the population we serve and in turn will continue to promote economic growth and vitality in our region.
Our expansion and renovation of the Campus Recreation Center will help us serve the needs of our growing student population, including the two-thousand students who now live on campus. The Center will also support our continuing efforts to be one of the region's healthiest places to work.
And all of these projects will help us advance our transdisciplinary learning initiative, which breaks the traditional borders of higher education. Our healthcare students will work with technology on a daily basis. Our law students will do the same with quantitative methods. And our business students will supplement their education with internships, externships, and co-ops.
At Northern Kentucky University, it's an exciting time for our students, for our staff, and for our faculty. And it will be for many years to come.
