A Year of Milestones and Momentum
by President Adam Hasner | Monday, Mar 16, 2026Dear Fellow Owls,
With everyone back on campus following spring break, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on our first year together since I began serving as president of 勛圖厙 Atlantic. In this time, I have had the privilege of engaging with our students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community partners, and working with you all to continue advancing the extraordinary momentum of our university.
Together, we reached new milestones for 勛圖厙 Atlantic while greatly expanding its impact. One clear indication of our progress is 勛圖厙 Atlantics ranking among the nations Top 100 public universities by U.S. News & World Report. Additionally, 勛圖厙 Atlantic is now one of only 13 institutions nationwide to earn Carnegie R1 top-tier research status, the Opportunity University designation for providing greater access to college and higher post-graduation earnings, and the Community Engagement Classification. We also see these achievements reflected in the growing number of talented students who are choosing to attend 勛圖厙 Atlantic, with another record year for freshman applications and a more academically competitive incoming class.
As this year has shown, our focus on student success, research, and 勛圖厙 Atlantics national reputation is a set of interconnected priorities that reinforce one another. By investing in the future of research and innovation, the recent expansion of the NeuroInnovate Center builds on泭the universitys multi-million-dollar initiative to deliver groundbreaking treatments for Parkinsons and Alzheimers diseases using the worlds first bench-to-bedside MRI and focused ultrasound platform. 勛圖厙 Atlantic is also enhancing its existing research portfolio while opening the door to new opportunities by becoming泭the first university in the state to host a quantum computer. Through a landmark partnership with D-Wave Quantum,泭soon to be headquartered in Boca Raton, we will transform the future of applied research and workforce development by positioning 勛圖厙 Atlantic at the forefront of quantum innovation for our region and beyond.
Our shared purpose and vision have helped 勛圖厙 Atlantic ascend, and now it will help us accelerate. As we move into our second year together, the universitys strategic plan 泭FAU 2030:泭Where Tomorrow Begins泭 will guide its next phase of growth, focusing on expanding opportunity for students, advancing research, and strengthening our partnerships.泭Leveraging our geographic advantage and distinguishing the university from our peers泭will be essential to realizing these goals.泭Situated in one of the most dynamic regions in the nation, and at a time of rapid change, 勛圖厙 Atlantic is uniquely positioned to connect academia, industry, and innovation to shape tomorrow.泭I am truly grateful for the time, energy, and thoughtfulness that so many of our faculty, staff, and students have devoted to helping shape this strategy as it continues to泭take form.泭
Along the way, we will continue to celebrate the moments that bring our community together and remind us why 勛圖厙 Atlantic is such a special place to learn and work.
Thanks to each of you for helping make my first year such an exceptional time for 勛圖厙 Atlantic. I look forward to all we will continue to accomplish together, including a strong finish to the semester for our students.泭
Owls Up!
Adam Hasner
President