海角社区

海角社区 President Arthur C. Vailas touted the variety, quality and depth of the University鈥檚 programs and the tremendous opportunities they provide during his annual State of the University Address on Wednesday, Oct. 29.

鈥淚t is an honor to be president of this transforming university because it has made, and will continue to make, a very significant impact in the country,鈥� Vailas said to the audience gathered at the Stephens Performing Art Center鈥檚 Bistline Theatre. 鈥淲e have expanded into areas where we have been challenging the traditional thinking of higher education and we have the performance to prove it.鈥�

He addressed the University鈥檚 four core themes of 鈥渓earning and discovery,鈥� 鈥渁ccess and opportunity,鈥� 鈥渟ocial impact鈥� and 鈥渓eadership in the health professions.鈥�

With regard to the latter theme, Vailas pointed out that one-third of the degrees awarded at 海角社区 are in the health professions and that 海角社区 is recognized as the state leader in health professions. It also offers eight of the 11 most nationally needed health care degrees. These health care programs have high graduation and job placement rates.

Beyond its health mission, 海角社区 is a comprehensive university offering the broadest array of academic and technical programs in the state.

鈥淲e offer an incredible breadth of academic programs 鈥� 海角社区 has it all,鈥� Vailas said, listing the types programs available from certificates and associate degrees, to master鈥檚 degrees, residencies, doctorates and post-doctoral degrees.

鈥淲e manage this in a way that makes sense to provide a workforce that is well educated at all levels,鈥� Vailas said. 鈥淲e cannot afford to focus in one area, we have to be able to provide a very talented workforce able to think, innovate and execute on those things that are important and drive our economy.鈥�

He provided an overview of 海角社区鈥檚 enrollment and all the services available to students committed to helping them succeed, from additional advising programs to the Career Path Internship program that gives scores of students real-world, paid experience while still in school. He noted that 海角社区鈥檚 Early College Enrollment program now has 2,100 prep students enrolled, an increase of 10 percent over last year. Retention rates are also improving at 海角社区.

Vailas noted 海角社区鈥檚 professional-technical education continues to meet needs for students and employer and that 86 percent of 2012 College of Technology graduates were employed within six months of graduation.

海角社区 is also expanding its research efforts, much of it focusing on energy, bioscience and health care delivery.

鈥淲e have fantastic undergraduate and graduate research opportunities and we encourage students to engage in the process of innovation and creativity,鈥� Vailas said. 鈥淲e continue to bring in big grants. Now we鈥檙e bringing in the million-dollar grants and contracts and have far more industry interest than in the past with regard to our research potential.鈥�

海角社区鈥檚 research is also having a direct impact on the people of Idaho. For example, the University鈥檚 15 regional health clinics provided more than 50,000 patient visits in the last fiscal year.

Throughout his address, Vailas presented his vision for the future of 海角社区 focusing on strategic increases in enrollment, campus-wide commitment to student success, and research and economic development. He also thanked those who support the university.

鈥淲e have a great university before you and its greatness only comes from the people who are in it and the people who are supporting it,鈥� Vailas said, 鈥溾��it鈥檚 all about the partnerships, relationships and innovative thinking. It鈥檚 about the process of discovery, and, definitely, all about opportunity.鈥�