At NAU’s third annual Convocation, President José Luis Cruz Rivera highlighted a few of the university’s 125 years of accomplishments—including a mule-napping in the 1930s—and looked ahead to the year that will be and how NAU will meet the challenges and opportunities of the moment.
“Whether it’s guiding a cow down the stairs of Old Main in the early 1900s or grappling with the ethical and practical implications of AI in the 21st century, the essence of our challenge remains the same: to approach each obstacle with creativity, persistence and a shared sense of purpose—all hands on deck—and accountability,” he said. “Together we will reach higher and deliver on our vision for this most noble institution we hold so dear.
In looking at the last year, Cruz Rivera highlighted a number of achievements that are emblematic of the university’s pursuit of Elevating Excellence and are documented in the Strategic Planning Advisory Board’s annual report. These include the following:
- Achieving record enrollment in Fall 2022 and Fall 2023 and increasing retention and 6-year graduation rates
- Making NAU’s curriculum 100% Career Ready so graduates are fully prepared for the workforce from day one
- Celebrating a decade of impact through the Native American Cultural Center
- Increasing undergraduate student research and registering a record-breaking $77.5 million in research expenditures
- Introducing the First Year Together and Inclusive Excellence in Teaching Initiatives to support student success and recruit teacher-scholars
- Creating the Smart Sustainable Comprehensive Campus Master Plan
- Raising a record-breaking $121.5 million in private support from 2022-2024, crushing previous fundraising records
Cruz Rivera said NAU is gearing up for another banner year that will ensure the university becomes the nation’s preeminent engine of opportunity through renewed focus on a relentless welcome to new and returning Lumberjacks, no matter where they’re enrolled. In AY24-25, he said, the administration’s other focus will be building on a strong financial foundation to ensure that NAU is sustainable, resilient, and can continue to deliver on its mission for years to come.
He said that given the drastic decrease in state investment in higher education in the last couple of decades NAU—state funds now make up less than 25% of NAU’s annual revenue—NAU must shift strategies to ensure it continues to provide a high-quality, affordable education that transforms lives and prepares graduates for the complexities of the modern world.
This strategic finance approach will be pursued through four interconnected areas of emphasis:
- Sharpening our focus: doubling down on the Elevating Excellence Strategic Roadmap to align institutional efforts with a focus on broadening access, driving success and delivering life-changing value, economic mobility and social impact. NAU will ensure its roadmap is evergreen and adaptable, with clear goals and success indicators to guide future work.
- Investing in impact: NAU needs to maximize its organizational structures, infrastructure and the human resources that make it such a strong institution. NAU needs to focus not on doing more with less but instead doing more of the right thing with its resources, including pivoting away from lower-impact engagement and ensuring the workforce is aligned with the university’s mission.
- Raising revenue: NAU will intensify efforts to secure public investments, launch a comprehensive fundraising campaign and maximize grant, as well as recruit more international and out-of-state and international students and recalibrate tuition and fees—all while ensuring financial aid for the neediest students.
- Containing costs: Reductions in state funding and cuts to funds earmarked for financial aid means NAU needs to control costs. By strengthening controls on vacant positions and operational costs, NAU can direct resources toward high-priority investments in the workplace.
“The financial health of NAU is not solely about balancing budgets year to year—it’s about making strategic decisions that position us well for the long-term,” Cruz Rivera said. “By focusing on these key areas, we will ensure that NAU remains a strong, vibrant institution capable of delivering on its mission for years to come.”
Missed the convocation live? Watch the recording on NAU’s YouTube channel. Yes, there are more animals-on-campus stories.