Spotlight On: Moez Limayem, President, University of North Florida
November 2024 — In an interview with Invest:, Moez Limayem, president of the University of North Florida (UNF), talked about the University’s goal to grow its student population by 8,000 (47%) by 2028 and strategies UNF uses to ensure that its curriculum is in alignment with market demands.
How is your team working to achieve the goal in UNF’s strategic plan to increase the student population to 25,000 by 2028?
It is an audacious goal to grow to 25,000 from 17,000, but it is critical for our region. Jacksonville is one of the fastest-growing cities in the country and was ranked recently by The Wall Street Journal as the second-hottest job market.
As a vibrant region, we pride ourselves on being a great magnet for businesses looking to relocate and for keeping businesses here. The No. 1 question for businesses is always whether or not they will have the talent necessary to prosper. UNF plays a key role here. Growth will allow us to meet these needs, and we are aligned with our business community on strategic areas of focus.
I will give you a few examples: technology, artificial intelligence, healthcare technologies, data science, and cybersecurity. The whole area of technology is really important for us. Additionally, advanced manufacturing, transportation and logistics are all critical. Jacksonville is a hub of excellence for the supply chain, with great companies like CSX and Crowley.
Other important areas include nursing and all healthcare professions. Northeast Florida is unique with numerous hospitals, including MD Anderson and Mayo Clinic in the same city, along with many other great healthcare organizations. Coastal resilience is also vital due to our beautiful coastline and port operations.
All these areas are essential as we meet the ever-growing need for talent in our region. Our goal is not just about getting bigger; it is also about getting better. We aim to improve the profile of students we admit and enhance the educational experience, preparing them for high-paying jobs at graduation or a smooth transition to graduate school.
How do you keep your curriculum up to date and in line with market demands?
When we revamped our strategic plan and vision for UNF, we aimed to make our university the destination of choice for students seeking an excellent education, for employers seeking talent, and for faculty and staff, keeping and attracting the best. We want to be a magnet for continued state investment in this great university and to attract philanthropists, who will see a great return on their investments. None of this is possible if we do not listen to our stakeholders, including what majors and other programs they need.
Thus, we have processes and platforms in place where employers help us shape the curriculum. This ensures our graduates hit the ground running when they are hired. I am happy to report that we are the No. 1 state university in Florida for the percentage of bachelor’s graduates employed in the state. Almost 80% of our graduates stay in Florida, contributing to its growth, and 60% stay right here in the Northeast Florida region, aiding in economic development and attracting more businesses to our area. We are proud of that, and this success is driven by our new graduates’ outlook on where Jacksonville is headed over the next five to 10 years.
What do you see as the value proposition of universities, and how have universities adapted their services to meet student needs?
Value proposition is an extremely important point to consider. First, Florida’s public universities are all part of one system, like the California, New York and North Carolina systems. Twelve institutions form the State University System of Florida. For eight years, Florida has been ranked No. 1 for higher education. This ranking reflects the incredible quality of education we provide, but that is not the only value proposition. Look at the cost of education in Florida: it is the least expensive in-state tuition in the country. As a result, you have the best quality education at the best possible price. That is an unbeatable value proposition.
Moreover, at UNF, success means giving students an outstanding, world-class educational experience, preparing them for great careers with competitive salaries, or for transitioning to graduate school. We also aim to prepare them to be great citizens who give back to their communities and help make them better. These are our values, and we live by them every day.
Another important value for us is the culture of care. We are accountable to our students, their parents, and our faculty and staff. Excellence in everything we do and civility are also crucial. The violence and hate we see on many campuses are symptoms of a deeper problem: the loss of our ability to understand and respect each other. Civil discourse is one of our values — to listen and understand differing viewpoints. We are even working on a certificate for all students that teaches these concepts, and we plan to offer it to community members who want to make a difference.
In Florida, I do not see our 12 universities as competing. We have different missions and complement each other. How do we differentiate UNF? By offering a curriculum that reflects the needs of the business community, maintaining a culture of care where we know your name, and prioritizing the success of our students. Faculty will notice when you need help, and we have a robust infrastructure to support you, from mental health services to advising and mentoring.
Lastly, at UNF, we offer a lifelong warranty on our degrees. If you are between jobs, need help or are looking for your next opportunity, you can come here for mentoring, job search assistance, or upskilling. Once an Osprey, always an Osprey. That is our value proposition.
What ongoing, or future campus projects, including expansions, new facilities, or renovations, are in the works?
After the COVID period and the slowdown in building, things are picking up again. We have broken ground on a new dorm for the Hicks Honors College, which will increase our capacity by more than 500 beds. We are also renovating and expanding our Coggin College of Business and Brooks College of Health.
We secured legislative funding for a new building for student services and support (pending approval from the governor), that will consolidate services in one place. We have more plans for renovations and new buildings, all while keeping our campus one of the most beautiful you can find.
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