Straight from Smatresk

Dear UNT supporter,

As a Hispanic-Serving Institution deeply dedicated to helping all students thrive, UNT is proud to serve as a founding member of the Alliance of Hispanic Serving Research Universities, which is focused on increasing opportunity for the next generation of Hispanic scholars.

The Alliance unites the nation's 20 institutions categorized as R1 (very high research activity) by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education and designated as a Hispanic-Serving Institution by the U.S. Department of Education. Working together, we seek to improve Hispanic representation in the highest levels of research.

In 2021, more than 6,000 students earned doctoral degrees from Alliance universities, but only 9% of those students were Hispanic. While this is greater than the national average of 6%, we know more must be done to increase opportunity for students historically underserved by higher education.

As an Alliance member, UNT will work to achieve two key goals by 2030 — double the number of Hispanic doctoral students enrolled and increase by 20% the Hispanic professoriate. We are committed to growing a diverse faculty that more closely resembles our student demographics and is best suited to help facilitate our students' aspirations.

As a Tier One research university where 24.7% of our student body is Hispanic, UNT is uniquely positioned to train the next generation of Hispanic scholars. Through collaboration with Alliance universities, we will amplify our work to create access, equity, and opportunity for highly qualified students interested in seeking doctoral degrees.

UNT Proud,
Neal Smatresk
President
twitter @UNTPrez

The Inside Scoop
Choctaw Mobility Corridor
We recently announced a collaboration with the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma to develop an Advanced Regional Mobility Corridor. By working together to leverage our progress with emerging transportation technologies, including automated ground vehicles and advanced air mobility, we'll promote future economic opportunity and growth for the state of Texas. UNT is deeply committed to finding solutions for transforming mobility, and we look forward to the ways our partnership with the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma will enhance this research.
 
 
 
 
Read about the Advanced
Regional Mobility Corridor »
American Athletic Conference
UNT will officially enter the American Athletic Conference as a member on July 1, 2023. We can't wait to see what all our teams will achieve! We just wrapped up a successful year where nine different programs reached postseason competition and won three Conference USA championships. Not only did the 2021-22 season end with the Mean Green's best winning percentage in program history, but our student-athletes achieved a department-best 3.206 GPA in spring 2022. We're tremendously proud of our students-athletes, coaches, and teams, and no doubt that we will continue to transform and command attention from sports fans near and far.
 
 
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joining The American »
Spotlight on Excellence
Creative research informs teaching perspective

Projects including African American fiber art traditions, a new media composition inspired by time and sound, and visual artworks illustrating the childbirth experiences of queer people will be accomplished by UNT's newest Institute for the Advancement of the Arts Faculty Fellows. These scholars — pictured from left, Dr. Jon Nelson in composition studies, Dr. Katherine Sobering in sociology, Liss LaFleur in studio art, and Dr. Lauren Cross in interdisciplinary art and design studies — will focus on their creative endeavors for a semester next school year, then bring their perspective to students in the classroom. Be sure to visit the Nasher Sculpture Center, where the first installment of The Queer Birth Project runs through July 17.

Unity Plaza to honor the players who integrated North Texas football

Construction will soon begin on a new Unity Plaza honoring the men who broke the color barrier in major college football. Abner Haynes, pictured at left in the 1959 Yucca yearbook, and Dr. Leon King, pictured at right, were the first players to integrate major college football at a four-year Texas institution. The pair joined the North Texas freshman team in 1956, moved up the varsity team the following year, and served as inspiration for many young men that came after them. Both men had successful careers — Haynes in the National Football League and Dr. King as a teacher, coach, and administrator in Dallas ISD — and have served as wonderful ambassadors for UNT. Unity Plaza will be constructed adjacent to the UNT Athletic Center and the Lovelace and McNatt Families Practice Facility.

Party with UNT at Grandscape in The Colony

Join us July 27 at Grandscape in The Colony for music, activities, swag, and fun for the whole family at the Summer Soar Party. Prospective students can learn about UNT's 244 degree programs from our knowledgeable admissions counselors, and the entire UNT family can stretch out on the lawn in front of Grandscape's open air stage to enjoy music from UNT's world class musicians. We know you'll have fun while learning about one of the most comprehensive universities in North Texas, so make plans to join us!

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