Leading Through Change

When we were founded in 1890, our first president, Joshua C. Chilton, declared:

“Our aim will constantly be to adjust the work of the college to the demands of the times.”


At the University of North Texas, we are adapting to the demands of our times by developing the potential of our students, faculty, staff, and UNT community members; discovering new insights and solutions by focusing our research and creativity on issues that matter; and driving impact at massive scale through partnerships that expand educational, cultural, and economic opportunities across our region, our state, and beyond.

Our strategy for the next five years is built on a singular mission: to create enduring value for the public good.

  • Enduring value for our students, through educational experiences and credentials that unlock their potential to adapt to change, achieve professional success, and lead lives of meaning and purpose.
  • Enduring value for employers, by educating the agile workforce and contributing the solutions they need to compete in a rapidly changing economy.
  • Enduring value for the taxpayers of Texas, by translating their investments into graduates, discoveries, innovations, and creative contributions that serve the public interest.
  • Enduring value for our nation, through our direct contributions to economic and national security and through the development of well-educated citizens who are ready to engage in productive dialogue and civil discourse.

We pursue these commitments as the largest university in the North Texas region, with the entire Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex on our doorstep. Our location provides unique insights into how our world is changing and unparalleled opportunities to expand our partnerships and contributions across the most dynamic region in Texas.

At the heart of these commitments are our people — our students, faculty, staff, and alumni — who have been working together to turn talent and effort into impact since our founding in 1890. Their creativity and collaboration define the culture that powers UNT’s success.

We take special pride in providing access to an affordable, high-quality college education for the students of North Texas — about 75% of our undergraduate students come from our region. More than 40% of our undergraduates are the first in the family to go to college, and nearly half of our undergraduates come from low-income families.

Our commitment to them is simple:

You bring the grit.
We'll guide you to greatness.               

A student in a red stole joyfully holding up her diploma at commencement

Better Look North

At UNT, bold doesn't back down, and success doesn't stop at graduation. It reaches further — into communities, industries, and generations of future leaders. Your belief fuels that momentum, turning challenge into change and effort into impact. Invest in the future our students are building.