Give Flight to Imagination at UNCW

Excellence, integrity, diversity and innovation have long shaped the student-centered learning experience at the University of North Carolina Wilmington. At UNCW, you will enjoy a powerful academic experience that stimulates creative inquiry, critical thinking and thoughtful expression in a beautiful campus setting.

A public institution with nearly 18,000 students, UNCW offers a full range of baccalaureate- and graduate-level programs, as well as doctoral degrees in educational leadership, marine biology, nursing practice and psychology; and many distance learning options, including clinical research, an accelerated RN-to-BSN program, an Executive M.B.A. program structured for working professionals, and the nation’s only bachelor’s degree program focused on coastal engineering.  The Office of International Programs seeks to develop and increase the international dimension of the UNCW campus. This is accomplished by fostering programs and services for international students; helping UNCW students to participate in study abroad programs; assisting UNCW faculty in their teaching, research, and scholarship abroad; developing and strengthening educational linkages with international partners so as to create opportunities for student, faculty, and staff exchanges; identifying and obtaining resources to further the internationalization of UNCW, and by enhancing and expanding international and global opportunities and resources on campus and in the surrounding community.

Academics

The foundation of UNCW’s educational experience is Applied Learning, a multi-disciplinary model that incorporates faculty- and staff-facilitated learning opportunities, such as internships, study abroad, community-based projects, research, directed independent study options and other educational opportunities. Applied Learning inspires students to focus on creative inquiry, critical thinking skills, and written and verbal communication. The university’s efforts to advance research and scholarly activities have earned UNCW the elevated designation of “Doctoral Universities: High Research Activity” institution by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education.  Faculty and students at all levels – undergraduate through post-doctorate – from academic programs across campus are actively involved in generating new knowledge from research. The public and private grants funding their efforts contribute to the university’s mission while enhancing our region’s economic vitality through the discovery of new products and services, the formation of innovative businesses and job creation. UNCW faculty, staff and students conduct research that has regional, national and global impact.

Location

The University of North Carolina Wilmington is located in the southeastern part of the state on a 661-acre tract midway between the Cape Fear River and the Atlantic Ocean. The city of Wilmington is situated on the east bank of the Cape Fear River about 15 miles from Carolina Beach and 10 miles from Wrightsville Beach. The metropolitan statistical area, of which Wilmington is a part, now has a population in excess of 360,000. Several main highways lead into the city, and commercial air service provides easy access to other metropolitan areas north, south, and west. Ocean breezes and the nearness of the Gulf Stream give Wilmington a delightful year-round climate, and the area’s proximity to the ocean provides unlimited recreational opportunities. The spacious well-landscaped campus was first occupied by the university in 1961. The number of buildings has increased from three in 1961 to 162 today, dispersed across a coastal pine savannah habitat. The buildings on the campus are of modified Georgian architecture, including academic, administrative, student life, residence, dining, athletic, and support buildings, all of which are completely air-conditioned. There are several athletic fields and intramural fields.

Campus Life 

At the heart of campus, the Campus Life facilities serve as the crossroads of the UNCW community, providing a welcoming place for students, faculty, staff, alumni, and visitors to connect with each other as they share meals, rest and study, enjoy programs, and celebrate during events. Campus Life serves as the gateway to the UNCW community. We provide exceptional facilities, premier programs, and outstanding services which imprint a sense of place, serve as a foundation for memorable experiences, and create transformational learning opportunities for students. In our work, including our interactions with each other and our students, we use excellence, learning, and a sense of family as guideposts for our team. These are the core values we bring to our work:

• Love and Support
• Joy and Fun
• Creativity and Innovation
• Teamwork
• Adaptability
• Integrity
• Diversity and Inclusion
• Expertise