Unity Magazine 2021
November 23, 2021
Greetings!
For more than a decade, a clear shift has been occurring in higher education. Fewer students are choosing residential programming than in the past, while at the same time more place-bound adult learners have returned to the fold. All of this has been accelerated throughout the ongoing pandemic. Now, more and more people are looking for an education on their own terms. This seismic shift presents a unique set of challenges, while also providing an opportunity unlike anything we have ever seen before in higher education.
Fortunately, Unity College was able to identify the changing tide early. This has allowed us to get ahead of the curve by making the serious changes needed to not only survive but to thrive.
In this year’s edition of Unity Magazine, we take a look at the year in review and how the college has become more relevant to a wider audience, while at the same time opening the door to innovation with one goal in mind: accessibility.In the past, cost and residential requirements have been a major barrier to entry. So, we had to think big. You can read in-depth about how we are breaking those barriers while staying true to our roots and providing unprecedented access.
Today, you can still find Hybrid Learning students who are looking for a residential experience getting their boots dirty and learning face-to-face at our field station in beautiful Unity, Maine. We were proud to see some of these Hybrid Learning students featured in the news this past spring, as they were able to enter the workforce while continuing their education.
We are also excited to soon be expanding our world-class curriculum to yet another audience. Unity College’s newest Sustainable Education Business Unit (SEBU), the Technical Institute for Environmental Professions, will be serving students seeking associate degrees, certificates, and upskilling. These will not be residential students. Thus, the need for a location-based in close proximity to densely populated areas. The campus of Pineland Farms is perfect for commuter students coming from areas like Portland and Lewiston. These students will learn in state-of-the-art HyFlex classrooms which will allow for maximum flexibility.
As our college has leaned into educational equity, we have been able to double, and soon triple our diverse student population. It’s a fact that makes me particularly proud. We are also making sure to hire a more diverse leadership team, some of whom are highlighted in this edition. At the end of the day, America’s Environmental College is truly beginning to look like America, as people from all races and backgrounds come together to ensure we do right by our planet.
We hope you enjoy reading about all the new and exciting things taking place at Unity College. Your ongoing support continues to inspire us to reach new heights each and every day. I hope you’ll share this magazine within your networks and let folks know about the great work happening here.
In Unity,
Dr. Melik Peter Khoury
President
