Monday, August 25, 2025

DENTON (UNT), Texas — The University of North Texas campus was full of first-week energy as the Fall 2025 semester kicked off with students filling sidewalks, classrooms and common spaces on their way to their classes during the first week of school.

UNT’s newest freshmen — the Class of 2029 — were ready to officially meet their professors and explore what the semester has in store, after mostly spending First Flight Week getting acquainted with campus, making new friends, and preparing for their college journey.

“I’m excited for all my classes. I think they’ll be really interesting,” said Jermaine Tibbs Jr., a freshman studying computer science and engineering. “It was nice to meet President Keller before it all begins. It shows he cares.”

A young man wearing green stands left to President Keller standing right who is wearing a suit and green tie. They are talking beneath a flag pole with a UNT banner on it. They are surrounded by trees and shrubbery
President Keller welcomed students back to campus for their first day of the Fall 2025 semester

The start of the 2024-25 academic year also marked a milestone for President Harrison Keller, Ph.D., who began his tenure at UNT Aug. 1, 2024. During his first year, President Keller led the university in making progress on three major initiatives: strategic budgeting, research and student success. Significant strides in each of these areas are laying critical groundwork for the future, and President Keller will announce UNT’s new five-year strategic plan in his State of the University address Nov. 5.

“I love the energy on our UNT campus the first day of the Fall 2025 semester,” said President Keller, who enjoyed greeting students on their way to classes and attending the year’s first One O’Clock Lab Band rehearsal. “It’s going to be a great year for the Mean Green.”

"The first day of class is always one of my favorite times of year because our campus is rejuvenated with the energy of our students,” President Keller said. “It’s a chance to reconnect with our mission as a university and focus on preparing students for success — in the classroom and beyond.”

Over the past year, President Keller has emphasized the university’s role in workforce development and impact at scale across the North Texas region, the state, and the nation.

“We’re here as part of the Primary Care Pathway Program for our core credits,” said biology major Rebecca Robertson who was taking photos outside of the Life Sciences Complex with her friend Eriana Loya. The program allows students to complete medical school in seven years by attending Midland College, UNT, and then UNT Health – Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine. “We’re excited and a little nervous because UNT is so much bigger than Midland College, but we’re looking forward to joining some campus organizations and meeting people.”

 
UNT’s Week of Welcome programming was scheduled across the Denton, Discovery Park and UNT at Frisco campuses to help students plan for the semester and connect with university resources.

“I’ve only been in the U.S. for one week, and I’m loving it so far,” said business analytics grad student Akash Jelt who came to UNT from India. “I can’t wait for my classes, and I hope to join the theater clubs because I love to dance — I’m looking forward to building a community here and making friends.”

Brandon Fisher, a junior studying computer science and engineering who will be an RA in Honors Hall, is looking forward to the new academic year.

“This is my first year as a resident assistant, and my third year in the band and chorus,” Fisher said. “I’m ready for this year, and I’m excited for everything.”