Flagship Programs

Overview

In order to strengthen the core competencies of the University and thus to further the university's aspiration to become a regional institution of national quality, the President and Provost previously invited individual faculty members, faculty teams, and directors to submit academic Flagship Program proposals for select undergraduate or graduate programs.

The President announced the Flagship initiative in 2004, and the University has since established six flagship programs: Coastal Biology, Nursing, Music, Nutrition & Dietetics, Transportation & Logistics, and International Business.

Programs were selected for Flagship status because of the scholarly accomplishments of their faculty and the demonstrable potential of those faculty to sustain a trajectory toward scholarly distinction; their potential to produce particularly compelling or exceptional educational outcomes for students; and their power to link the quality of education at UNF to a range of civic needs in the region. For this reason, Flagship Programs were selected to receive significant budgetary support for a period of five years (with the possibility of further, albeit reduced, support), during which time they were ideally expected to become self-sustaining or to have generated external funding support.

History

In developing these programs, faculty and administration evaluated existing and potential resources and ensured strong academic leadership in each program, as well as hired faculty and staff who were able to nurture these programs. Flagship Programs were identified as candidates with recognized potential involving areas where UNF would have a competitive advantage. The selection process included the input from key stakeholders, inside and outside the University. Flagship Programs were established with the goal of hiring and developing exceptional faculty; with significant financial support including funds raised through endowments and funds to support related auxiliary programs and facilities; by developing partnerships inside and outside the University; and through the recruitment of top-quality students to the program, including, when appropriate, international students.

The Flagship Program initiative was successful, and the six supported Flagships are well established and will continue to be a significant part of UNF’s future. While funding for the initiative has ended, UNF’s new Strategic Plan identifies five Areas of Focus that will lead UNF’s growth over the next few years.