Melik’s Memo: July 2024

There is much to celebrate as we kick off the ’24-’25 school year at Unity Environmental University. As colleges and universities across the nation are facing challenges due to the demographic cliff, which has resulted in lower enrollment rates and financial instability within the sector, I am proud to announce that Unity has successfully bucked this trend, and is now in a position to continue growing and graduating more environmental stewards for years to come.

Our transformation is now making waves in national news outlets as we continue to prioritize affordability, accessibility, and flexibility by using multiple modalities to deliver our world-class environmental-based education! Check out this story in Inside Higher Ed, which brings great context to Unity’s success.

In 2024 we also learned Unity is now one the fastest growing universities in the country based on applications in the post-covid pandemic era.

Here’s a look at some of our most up-to-date census information:

Student population: 9,106
All 50 states and U.S. territories represented
First-generation student population: 50%
Students starting careers prior to graduation: 90%
Diverse student population: 25%
Military population: 17%
Average age: 28

May Commencement

I was honored to meet so many of our newest graduates at May Commencement as they walked the stage at historic Merrill Auditorium. I could see and feel the pride beaming from your family and friends on that memorable day and I was truly inspired by your incredible stories.

We look forward to seeing our future graduates on Friday May 23, 2025 at Merrill Auditorium in Portland! You can learn more about eligibility requirements and future ceremonies by clicking this link.

Tuition & Services Promise

For the sixth year in a row, Unity Environmental University Distance Education announced it will not raise tuition, and is committing to another six years of flat tuition through 2030, reflecting the institution’s dedication to keeping education affordable to all students.

We have also made a number of student success investments including, unlimited mental health counseling, increased tutoring hours, and free hands-on chemistry lab kits for place-bound students. You can read all about our expanded student services here.

New Academic Programming

Unity prioritizes empowering learners with a constantly expanding range of educational pathways. Our commitment is reflected in the rapid development of new programs, exceeding one launch per month on average over the past year. This momentum is fueled by a robust development pipeline of learning designers, curriculum designers, subject matter experts, and faculty, ensuring a steady stream of innovative learning opportunities.

This year our team added several new baccalaureate degree options, including Bachelor of Science (BS) degrees in Regenerative Hotel Management, Agroforestry, Tourism Destination Management, Regenerative Agriculture, and Food Business and Culinary Entrepreneurship. We are also launching a BS program in Environmental Process Engineering, the first of several planned BS programs in the field of engineering.

At the graduate level, we added a Master of Professional Science (MPS) program in Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience and exciting new Sustainable Master of Business Administration (SMBA) programs in Parks and Outdoor Recreation and Tourism and Hospitality. We are also offering Master of Science (MS) degrees for the first time in a variety of fields, including Environmental Data Analytics, One Health, and Carbon Ecology and Management.

Employee Minimum Wage Increase

We are also making a major commitment to our employees. As of July 1, the minimum salary for fulltime employees at Unity Environmental University has been increased to $50,000. This bold initiative will not only improve the livelihoods of our current Maine-based staff, we believe it will also attract top-tier talent from across the nation, enhancing our communities and fortifying our mission. If you know somebody looking for a job, we’re hiring!

Maine Transfer Guarantee

Community college graduates in Maine can now transfer directly to degree programs at Unity Environmental University, along with five other independent four-year colleges under the new Maine Transfer Guarantee announced Wednesday.

Under the program, community college graduates meeting GPA requirements are guaranteed admission in programs at Unity Environmental University, College of the Atlantic, Husson University, Thomas College, Saint Joseph’s College of Maine, and University of New England.