Breaking Records, Building Dreams: UNF’s Year of Impact and Innovation

University of North Florida faculty and staff have spent the last few years strengthening partnerships across campus and within the community, while enhancing the student experience. 

Those efforts culminated in a historic year of growth and achievement at UNF, marked by record enrollment, unprecedented fundraising and groundbreaking research – all paving the way for every student to thrive. 

It was also a year of transformation on campus, with new facilities rising and major renovations breathing new life into existing spaces, expanding the resources essential for student success. 

National rankings, including from U.S. News & World Report and the Wall Street Journal, affirmed UNF’s growing reputation and continued excellence. 

Record-Setting Numbers 

This fall, UNF welcomed its largest-ever first-time-in-college class. The milestone contributes to the University’s largest total enrollment in history, with approximately 17,600 students now part of the thriving Osprey community.  

Student success continues to shine as well, with a record retention rate of 86.6% for full-time, first-time-in-college students returning this fall. UNF saw remarkable growth after aligning people and programs across academic advising, tutoring, career services, admission, registration and financial aid, modernizing processes and policies and empowering faculty and staff with data and technology. These efforts helped students stay on track in their courses, while introducing them to internships, research, leadership and other opportunities. 

“UNF’s record-breaking retention reflects the dedicated, compassionate work of advisors, staff and faculty,” said Erin Richman, associate vice president for Student Success.  

Every conversation and outreach makes a difference, Richman said.  

“What excited me most is that this momentum is real and shared across campus,” she said. “We've built strong partnerships between departments that didn't exist before, and the student experience is stronger because of it. I’m confident we can break the record again – not just for the number, but because every retained student is a life transformed, a dream sustained and the University’s mission fulfilled.” 

This year, UNF offered a variety of new academic offerings, including: 

• New bachelor’s programs, including in environmental science, chemistry and astronomy 
• New graduate degrees, including accounting and data analytics, as well as a concentration in data analytics under the Master of Accountancy  
• New certificates for undergraduate students in AI for Engineers, AI for Construction and AI for Business,  
• New certificates for graduate students in Pathway to Professional Credentialing and Instructional Planning and Decision Making.  
• New accelerated pathways, including connecting the bachelor of art in international studies to the master of art in history. 

Graduate enrollment reached a new high, with 10% growth over last year. Growth has come from new programs, increasing the cohort size of programs, international partnerships and new accelerated bachelor’s-to-master's pathways. Eligibility for the Exclusive Graduate Tuition Rate, which reduces tuition by about one-third for UNF alumni, has been extended to five years. Some programs with notable growth include:

• Doctor of Health Administration 
• MS Clinical Mental Health Counseling 
• MS Health Informatics
• MS Computing & Information Science 
• MS Construction Management 
• MA English, MS Biology, MS Mathematical Science, EDD Curriculum & Instruction, MAT Elementary Education, MED Counselor Education and MS Instructional Technology, Training & Development. 

New Facilities & Major Renovations 

As student numbers rise, UNF is also adding resources students, faculty and staff need to succeed. Across campus, construction cranes and ribbon cuttings mark a new era of growth, with multiple projects already open, underway or on the horizon. 

Osprey Ridge Residence Hall: The first major housing expansion since 2009 — a four-story, 165,000-square-foot facility offering more than 520 beds. Opened Summer 2025. 

Osprey Landing: Maintenance and repair work on one of UNF’s largest housing facilities are now underway and scheduled to be completed prior to fall 2026.  

30° North: A November groundbreaking celebrated this new apartment complex on UNF Foundation land that is being leased to Chance Partners. Located on First Coast Tech Parkway, the four-building apartment complex will feature 237 fully furnished units with a variety of layouts that will accommodate 702 beds. It’s expected to open in fall 2027. 

The UNF Flight Deck: This esports arena inside the John A. Delaney Student Union is set to open in spring 2026.  

Coggin College of Business: This multi-phase project includes the addition of a three-story infill building connecting its existing spaces in Buildings 42 and 10, with completion expected by fall 2026.  

Brooks College of Health: Work is underway on lab and interior renovations are underway in J. Brooks Brown Hall to provide upgraded facilities for nursing, health sciences and kinesiology students by late spring 2026.  

Student Success Center: This state-funded, 50,000-square-foot facility, is going in behind the Carpenter Library and offering centralized student services, new dining options, lounges and academic support labs. It’s projected to open in mid-2027.  

Honors College Academic Building: The project doing in north of Osprey Ridge, is expected to break ground next year and include a student lounge, study areas, classrooms and staff offices. The project is projected to open late 2027.  

State, local and donor support 

Progress on campus was fueled by strong support from the state, city and donors in 2025. 

UNF secured $8 million in nonrecurring operational funding, $3.7 million in nursing PIPELINE funding to address critical workforce needs and $14.8 million in PECO funds dedicated to the Hicks Honors Academic Addition at Osprey Ridge. The City of Jacksonville contributed $3 million toward the UNF Flight Deck esports arena, a state-of-the-art facility that will help UNF attract more students to pursue STEM careers; host national competitions that bring visitors and economic development to Jacksonville; and contribute to the City’s efforts to develop a highly skilled workforce prepared for industries of the future. 

Private giving also surged, reaching $34.9 million in 2024-25, nearly double the amount raised in 2021, signaling strong donor confidence and community investment in UNF’s mission. This support enabled UNF to celebrate the newly named Silverfield College of Education and Human Services and endow three new professorships; fund major campus improvements, including renovations to the UNF Arena; expand the Organic Chemistry Teaching Laboratory, which increased STEM student capacity by more than 240 per semester; and support the expansion of the Nurse Anesthesiology Program to address the regional shortage of Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists, increasing program capacity and training additional providers. 

Climbing in rankings 

For the seventh year in a row, UNF has been named among the Best Colleges List by U.S. News & World Report. UNF moved up four spots to No. 122 among Top Public Schools, climbed nine spots to No. 222 among National Universities and rose 11 spots to No. 125 as a top performer on social mobility. UNF’s undergraduate business, computer science, nursing, psychology and engineering programs were also recognized for excellence.  

“These achievements are a reflection of the dedication of our faculty and staff, the ambition of our students and UNF’s unwavering commitment to providing high-quality, affordable education that prepares graduates for meaningful careers and lifelong learning,” said President Moez Limayem. 

Fror the second consecutive year, UNF was ranked among Best Colleges in the U.S. by the Wall Street Journal, based on how well colleges set their graduates up for financial success. The University earned the No. 3 spot out of 24 public and private colleges and universities in Florida, and the No. 170 spot out of 584 schools in the nation.    

U.S. News & World Report ranked UNF among its 2025 Best Graduate Schools and also ranked it among the Best Online Programs. CEO Magazine ranked UNF among its 2025 Best Global MBA Programs. And for the 16th consecutive year, UNF earned the Military Friendly School designation for its work with military-connected students, and was named among the Top Ten Military Spouse Friendly Schools.