A Year of Milestones and Momentum

Dear Fellow Owls,

With everyone back on campus following spring break, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on our first year together since I began serving as president of Florida Atlantic. In this time, I have had the privilege of engaging with our students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community partners, and working with you all to continue advancing the extraordinary momentum of our university.

Together, we reached new milestones for Florida Atlantic while greatly expanding its impact. One clear indication of our progress is Florida Atlantic’s ranking among the nation’s Top 100 public universities by U.S. News & World Report. Additionally, Florida Atlantic is now one of only 13 institutions nationwide to earn Carnegie R1 top-tier research status, the “Opportunity University” designation for providing greater access to college and higher post-graduation earnings, and the Community Engagement Classification. We also see these achievements reflected in the growing number of talented students who are choosing to attend Florida Atlantic, with another record year for freshman applications and a more academically competitive incoming class.

As this year has shown, our focus on student success, research, and Florida Atlantic’s national reputation is a set of interconnected priorities that reinforce one another. By investing in the future of research and innovation, the recent expansion of the NeuroInnovate Center builds on the university’s multi-million-dollar initiative to deliver groundbreaking treatments for Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases using the world’s first bench-to-bedside MRI and focused ultrasound platform. Florida Atlantic is also enhancing its existing research portfolio while opening the door to new opportunities by becoming the first university in the state to host a quantum computer. Through a landmark partnership with D-Wave Quantum, soon to be headquartered in Boca Raton, we will transform the future of applied research and workforce development by positioning Florida Atlantic at the forefront of quantum innovation for our region and beyond.

Our shared purpose and vision have helped Florida Atlantic ascend, and now it will help us accelerate. As we move into our second year together, the university’s strategic plan — FAU 2030: Where Tomorrow Begins — will guide its next phase of growth, focusing on expanding opportunity for students, advancing research, and strengthening our partnerships. Leveraging our geographic advantage and distinguishing the university from our peers will be essential to realizing these goals. Situated in one of the most dynamic regions in the nation, and at a time of rapid change, Florida Atlantic is uniquely positioned to connect academia, industry, and innovation to shape tomorrow. I am truly grateful for the time, energy, and thoughtfulness that so many of our faculty, staff, and students have devoted to helping shape this strategy as it continues to take form. 

Along the way, we will continue to celebrate the moments that bring our community together and remind us why Florida Atlantic is such a special place to learn and work.

Thanks to each of you for helping make my first year such an exceptional time for Florida Atlantic. I look forward to all we will continue to accomplish together, including a strong finish to the semester for our students. 

Owls Up!

Adam Hasner
President