Message From Maurice: Be Part of UDC’s Transformation This Fall!
Message From Maurice: Be Part of UDC’s Transformation This Fall!
October 30, 2024
Dear Firebird Community,
I hope each of you is feeling energized and engaged this semester. Just as the fall foliage transforms around us, UDC is in the midst of its own significant transformation.
We’ve had a flurry of activity at UDC since the start of the 2024-’25 school year. We celebrated the achievements of students, faculty, staff and alumni. We unveiled an impressive new athletic field for our student-athletes and a freshly renovated library that’s “better equipped than ever” for our UDC community. We welcomed our new slate of student ambassadors (pictured above). We proclaimed “a new beginning” at Convocation as we began rolling out our 2024-2029 strategic plan, Delivering on the Promise—a bold roadmap positioning UDC as a world-class flagship university, national leader in urban student success, and a catalyst for workforce and economic mobility in the District. And last, but certainly not least, we are gearing up for a BIG “Firebird reunion,” UDC Homecoming 2024.
I’m also excited to share a few updates that highlight the remarkable momentum UDC is building across our campuses:
Enrollment Increases: UDC has seen a significant uptick in student enrollment this year, growing from 3,855 in fall 2023 to 4,202 this fall—an increase of 9%. This growth reflects the strength of our academic programs, our unwavering commitment to student success, and the hard work of our dedicated faculty and staff. Together, we are ensuring UDC remains an attractive and accessible destination for prospective students.
Budget Wins: UDC has secured several important budget victories that will enable strategic investments in academic programs, research initiatives and student support services. These financial gains are essential as we continue to elevate UDC’s position as a premier urban public university. We’re particularly proud to share that we have received $12.6 million in new local funding for FY2025 to support our strategic priorities:
- $1.1 million to establish a comprehensive Student Success Center, allowing us to hire additional academic advisors to improve student success outcomes
- $11.5 million for capital projects, including:
- Modernizing classrooms and laboratories—upgrades that enhance the student experience and align with our strategic goals.
- Conducting a student-housing feasibility study, a key part of our strategy to support enrollment growth
- Feasibility studies for the renovation of Buildings 44 and 46W, ensuring our students have access to state-of-the-art learning environments
Presidential Priority Initiatives: Aligned with our strategic plan, UDC is introducing several Presidential Priority Initiatives, including expanding our research capabilities, deepening community engagement and enhancing our campus infrastructure. We recently launched a comprehensive Service Excellence Initiative, which is already making a positive impact across campus. The initiative is key to fostering a culture of quality service throughout the university and will strengthen student loyalty, improve retention and ensure every member of our community enjoys a positive and affirming experience. Over the next few months, I’ll share more details as these initiatives take shape.
New Leadership Hires: We’re also excited to welcome several outstanding new leaders to the UDC family, including vice presidents and key administrators. These talented individuals bring invaluable expertise and are deeply committed to advancing our mission and meeting the needs of our students and the broader community.
Partnerships: Our partnerships continue to grow and thrive. We are working closely with local businesses, government agencies and academic institutions to create new pathways for our students and graduates. I’m especially proud to announce our recent partnership with the HBCU Transformation Project, providing access to strategic services aimed at enhancing academic excellence and student success. Through this partnership, UDC is benefiting from a host of new trainings and services.
UDC, our collective efforts are producing tangible results. I simply could not be prouder of the progress we’re making together.
In service,
Maurice D. Edington, Ph.D.
President
University of the District of Columbia