As we step into this fall season, I am proud to share that Unity Environmental University has become the first institution in Maine to announce fully-accredited 90-credit Applied Bachelor’s degrees for 5 new programs, an innovation that redefines what higher education can and should be.
This NECHE-accredited model trims time and cost by 25 percent while preserving full academic rigor, giving learners a faster and more affordable path to high-quality degrees. It is the latest example of how Unity is setting the pace for higher education: more tech-enabled, more learner-centered, and always deeply rooted in our environmental mission.
Historic Growth, Stable Tuition
We welcomed thousands of new students this fall, and thanks to our unique term structure. This flexible model means no one has to wait for this opportunity. It’s also one of the reasons Unity now serves nearly ten times the number of students we did only a few years ago, all while keeping tuition flat for five consecutive years and locking it through 2030.
Career Success and Alumni Outcomes
This year, we also collected verifiable career outcomes from hundreds of recent graduates, achieving a knowledge rate of 83.9%, far above the national benchmark of 65% set by NACE (National Association of Colleges and Employers).
Our learners are thriving after graduation, with alumni securing roles at top employers like the U.S. military, including the Army, Navy, and Air Force, as well as the Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection, Mystic Aquarium, SeaWorld, Sig Sauer, and the U.S. Forest Service, just to name a few. Many are also pursuing advanced degrees in law and graduate programs at institutions including Lewis & Clark, Oregon State, and Vermont Law. Others gained experience at organizations like the Alaska Sealife Center, Arizona Conservation Corps, and Chester Zoo.
While most graduates reported earnings around $50,000, the highest reported salary exceeded $205,000. Twenty-five graduates have already launched or are running their own businesses, and fourteen are serving our nation in the armed forces. These outcomes demonstrate that Unity’s model delivers not only access and affordability but also tangible success for learners in the workforce, in graduate education, and in service.
Celebrating Alumni Stories
We’ve also redesigned our Alumni Spotlight page to better tell your stories. Unity graduates are leading in conservation, government, education, green business, and beyond, and many of you balanced full-time work, military service, or family responsibilities while earning your degree. This refreshed platform highlights the ingenuity and resilience of our alumni, showing the world how a Unity education prepares leaders to solve the most pressing challenges of our time.
AI-First Principles and Una: Our Custom AI Agent
Looking ahead, Unity is leaning even further into innovation, guided by a set of
AI-First Design Principles that ensure artificial intelligence strengthens rather than compromises our mission. We recognize that AI brings environmental costs as well as opportunities, and we are committed to working only with renewable-powered providers while preparing learners to understand the footprint of these tools.
At the same time, we have launched Una, our AI-powered agent built with Salesforce, which provides around-the-clock support to prospective students. Una is already helping applicants navigate programs and financial aid, and in time will support learners throughout their academic journey.
A Modern, Mobile-First Unity.edu
We have also reimagined our digital gateway with a redesigned Unity.edu that is faster, clearer, and mobile-first. From answering questions through Una to making tuition and financial aid information more navigable, this new platform ensures that every prospective learner can make an informed and confident decision.
Leading on Financial Aid Transparency
At a moment when headlines across the country warn of delays and confusion in the federal financial aid system, Unity is leading the charge. Our Tuition & Financial Aid and Paying for College pages spell out exactly what students can expect to pay and what support is available. This clarity, combined with our tuition lock and inclusion of most materials in the price of enrollment, makes Unity one of the most affordable and accessible private universities in the nation.
Codifying Innovation: Stratus Strategy
Finally, we are not simply adopting new technologies but codifying the frameworks that will guide their use. Alongside our AI-First principles, we have updated our Stratus Strategy, a unified information system that serves as the single source of truth for the institution. Together, these initiatives ensure that as we continue toward our ambitious goal of serving 50,000 learners by 2030, we do so in a way that is sustainable, mission-aligned, and resilient.
Clarity, Accountability, and Transformation in Higher Ed
The national conversation around higher education is filled with stories of uncertainty, about cost, about trust, about the role of technology. At Unity, we are demonstrating what is possible when clarity, accountability, and transformation are placed at the center. We are proving that environmental stewardship and technological advancement are not opposites, but partners in shaping the future of education.
Thank you for your continued support. Because of your trust and support, Unity is not only preparing learners for the world as it is today but helping to build the world as it must be tomorrow.
For our alumni, one of the most powerful ways you can help us grow is by sharing your story. By telling us about your experiences, achievements, and the paths you’ve taken since graduation, you inspire current students and fellow alumni alike. Tell us your story!
As always, please contact me at president@unity.edu, with any questions or comments you may have.
