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