Unity Environmental University
New Gloucester, ME
Quick Facts
“America's Environmental University”
Data from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0) & U.S. Dept. of Education
About Unity Environmental University
America's Environmental University, pioneering sustainable education and innovative learning models.
Unity Environmental University stands as a beacon for students passionate about making a difference in the world, having evolved into a leading institution dedicated to environmental education. What began as an effort to revitalize a local economy has transformed into a forward-thinking university, recognized for its commitment to sustainability and innovative approach to learning. With a rich history of adapting to meet the needs of a changing world, Unity Environmental University offers a unique and impactful educational journey.
The university's history is marked by significant milestones, including becoming the first college in the U.S. to build a Passivhaus college residence in 2011 and the first to divest its endowment of fossil fuels in 2012. After facing financial challenges in its past, a renewed focus on its environmental mission and strategic fundraising efforts strengthened its foundation, including an unprecedented $10 million gift in 2011. This resilience laid the groundwork for its current success and expansion.
Today, Unity Environmental University is known for its diverse academic strengths, particularly its robust online programs that have been hailed as an "uncommon success story." While embracing distance education, it also maintains an in-person model with a presence in New Gloucester, Maine, and allows residential students to complete general education online while utilizing facilities at the University of Southern Maine. This flexibility caters to a wide range of students seeking an immersive environmental education.
Prospective students and their families will find a university deeply committed to its motto, "America's Environmental University." With a focus on practical, impactful learning, and a student body of over 7,500 full-time learners across all units, Unity Environmental University provides an engaging and accessible pathway to careers in environmental fields. Its transformation from a traditional campus model to a dynamic, multi-modal institution reflects its dedication to sustainability in education itself.
Key Highlights
- ✦Founded in 1965, Unity Environmental University adopted its environmental-oriented focus in 1977.
- ✦First college in the U.S. to build a Passivhaus college residence (2011).
- ✦Became the first college in the country to divest its endowment of fossil fuels (2012).
- ✦Successfully transitioned to a hybrid/online model, boasting over 7,500 full-time students by 2023.
- ✦Online programming has been recognized as an "uncommon success story."
- ✦Received an unprecedented $10 million gift in 2011, contributing to an endowment that grew to $18 million.
Timeline
Schools & Colleges
1 notable schools within Unity Environmental University
Technical Institute for Environmental Professions
An online and commuter junior college established in 2021, offering specialized environmental education.
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