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AAMU Board Approves Center for Nuclear Science and Engineering, Other Collaborations, and Campus Developments

AAMU Event Center
October 25, 2024

Alabama A&M University Unveils New Academic Programs and Global Partnerships

At its regular October Meeting, the Alabama A&M University Board of Trustees approved a 
series of transformative initiatives aimed at expanding the institution’s academic offerings and 
global footprint. Held at The Westin Birmingham, the meeting featured University-wide updates 
from President Daniel K. Wims and his leadership team, alongside several pivotal decisions to 
propel AAMU's future growth.

“We’re at a great place with this University,” said Board President Pro Tempore Dr. Wayne 
Watts. “We have a lot of things that are moving in the right direction. We have a Board that is 
courageous to step out and do things that need to be done. We have an administration that’s 
moving us forward in every direction.” 

President Wims highlighted enrollment and retention growth as key points of success for 
AAMU. 

“We’re happy about the enrollment numbers, but I’m also very proud of the fact that we’re now 
at a 70 percent retention rate,” said Wims. “That takes a collective effort of influencing our 
students to ensure that they persist. Over the last two years we have really made a big leap as a 
result of investments made and the incredible work of our team.”

Expanding Global Reach

A major highlight of the meeting was the approval of multiple international partnerships through Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs). These include agreements with The University of Zambia, Bauleni United Sports Academy, Chande Baptist Orphanage, Faith Orphanage Foundation, University of Lay Adventists of Kigali, Rwanda, School of Agricultural 
Sciences at Malla Reddy University in Telangana State, India. These partnerships will 
facilitate academic exchanges, research collaborations, and opportunities for students to gain 
global exposure.

New Academic Programs

The Board also approved several new academic programs, tracks and specializations designed to meet the needs of students and industries including:

• New Distance Education Policy
• New Concentrations - Plant and Soil Sciences (PhD)
• New Specializations - MS Plant and Soil Sciences
• New Minor in African American Studies 
• New Concentration in MBA Accounting Analytics
• New Track in BA Psychology - Sports Psychology
• New Track in Clinical Psychology - BA Psychology
• New Track in BA Forensic Psychology
• New Specialization in Clinical Mental Health Counseling - MS Counseling
• New Mathematics Specialization to the Doctoral Degree in Curriculum Instruction
• Revised program title of Pre-Elementary to Early Childhood Education (P-3)
• New Physics Minor 
• New Minor in Data Science

In addition, a variety of non-degree certificates were introduced, offering flexible and affordable 
educational pathways for students seeking to upskill without pursuing a full degree. These 
include certificates in Special Education-Collab Teaching Elementary K-6, Special Education-General Social Studies, Special Education-Music, Choral and Instrument, and Secondary 
Education in General Science, Mathematics, Family and Consumer Sciences, English 
Language Arts and Kinesiology-Physical Education.

The board also approved the construction of a statue of NFL Hall of Famer John Stallworth as part of the 150th Anniversary Fundraising effort.

Campus Growth 

Finally, the Alabama A&M Board of Trustees approved the establishment of a Center for Nuclear Science and Engineering (CNSE) to promote cutting-edge research and innovation in nuclear science. These initiatives align with the University's strategic vision of growth and position Alabama A&M as a leader in higher education on a global scale.

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