People find inspiration from a variety of sources. For Maggie Barrera, it came from being told she wasn’t good – at playing volleyball, that is. She worked hard and ultimately proved her doubters wrong, turning herself into an outstanding player and one of Northern Arizona University’s most decorated volleyball players ever. Barrera grew up in Salinas, California, 20 miles northeast of Monterey. She played a lot of basketball and at one point decided she would eventually go to college to play … [Read more...] about Maggie Barrera Proves Tenacity is a Winning Trait
NAU
NAU Undergraduate Research Tackling Critical Issues
Northern Arizona University undergraduate Chris Keefe combines his passion for biology and computer science to tackle the sixth leading cause of death in the United States – Alzheimer’s disease. He uses microbiome bioinformatics and develops computer software to investigate connections between disease symptoms and bacteria that live in mice intestines. Chris is one of thousands of undergraduate students at NAU working with faculty on a wide range of research projects in all disciplines. … [Read more...] about NAU Undergraduate Research Tackling Critical Issues
Repurposing Wood Chips for Renewable Energy, Economic Opportunity
There has been much coverage in the news recently about a Northern Arizona University pilot program that has resulted in the shipping of wood chips from Northern Arizona’s ponderosa pine forests to South Korea for use as renewable energy. NAU’s Ecological Restoration Institute has been working with Coconino County, the Arizona Department of Emergency and Military Affairs, the Arizona Department of Forestry & Fire Management, the Forest Service and with private businesses to determine the … [Read more...] about Repurposing Wood Chips for Renewable Energy, Economic Opportunity
Working Together for Common Goals
We are emerging from an historic summer in Flagstaff, which includes celebrating the contributions of hundreds of thousands of innovative and creative people who helped put Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin on the Moon. Though it took place 50 years ago and a quarter million miles away from Earth, the Moon landing is woven into the history of Flagstaff and Northern Arizona University. Astronauts trained at Meteor and Sunset craters near Flagstaff, and engineers and scientists used telescopes at … [Read more...] about Working Together for Common Goals
NAU: Proud of its History, Grateful for Community Connections
We are thankful that this community supports our students and our university, and we are dedicated to enhancing collaborations and strengthening our ties. Northern Arizona University’s economic impact is growing. We create jobs, intellectual property, technology transfer and business incubation, and we educate and develop the sophisticated, high-level workforce that meets the demands of today’s industry. We also strive to do more in our community. Last academic year, our students contributed … [Read more...] about NAU: Proud of its History, Grateful for Community Connections
Increasing Access to Higher Education; Benefiting Individuals, Communities
Last month, we celebrated an extraordinary class of Lumberjacks: More than 5,800 students earned degrees from Northern Arizona University. Commencement celebrates the tenacity, dedication and determination our students have displayed through many years of hard work. This is one of many personal achievements that will define their lives and mark the beginning of a new chapter and new possibilities. These graduates are our future. Many of our Lumberjacks are living and working in Arizona after … [Read more...] about Increasing Access to Higher Education; Benefiting Individuals, Communities
Understanding the Importance of the Provost Position
After a competitive national search, I’m pleased to share with you that Northern Arizona University will welcome a permanent provost this summer. While our provost is new to the position, she is not new to NAU and Flagstaff. Unless you work at the university, or have been engaged in higher education circles, you may know very little about what it means to be a provost or understand the important role of this position. A quick glance at the NAU website gives you this explanation: “Northern … [Read more...] about Understanding the Importance of the Provost Position
NAU’s Top Research Rankings Benefiting Flagstaff and Region
I’m so proud to share that for the first time, Northern Arizona University is recognized as one of the top 100 research universities without a medical school by the National Science Foundation. NAU also moved to 201 for all universities in the United States, up from 213 in 2017. Flagstaff and Northern Arizona, as well as our undergraduate and graduate students, are experiencing the benefits of NAU’s advanced national ranking as a top research university as measured by the National Science … [Read more...] about NAU’s Top Research Rankings Benefiting Flagstaff and Region
NAU: An Investment That Pays the Best Interest
Benjamin Franklin once said, “An investment in knowledge always pays the best interest.” The success of NAU’s alumni proves this to be true. Their accomplishments are a living, enduring testament to the benefit of an investment in the NAU experience. Robin Braun credits her time at NAU with the skills that led her to serve as a pilot for the Navy SEALs, as a rear admiral in the U.S. Navy and in leadership roles at Naval Operations in Washington, D.C. Martin Casado believes his years … [Read more...] about NAU: An Investment That Pays the Best Interest
Celebrating Accomplishments; Planning for Future Success at NAU
Having celebrated the end of 2018 and the achievements of more than 2,800 fall Lumberjack graduates, Northern Arizona University is looking to make 2019 another exceptional year. However, before we get too far ahead of ourselves, I would like to thank Flagstaff and all the communities of Northern Arizona for your assistance and support. NAU experienced tremendous success because of our partnerships with residents, communities and business leaders. I am proud of the warm and welcoming way … [Read more...] about Celebrating Accomplishments; Planning for Future Success at NAU