DENTON (UNT), Texas  — The University of North Texas (UNT) unveiled its new five-year strategic plan — Look North: UNT 2030 — outlining a bold vision to create enduring value for students, employers, taxpayers and communities across the North Texas region and beyond.

Under the leadership of President Harrison Keller, Ph.D., the plan emphasizes three core priorities: Develop, Discover and Drive. UNT will focus on developing the potential of its students and community members to meet the needs of the changing economy, discovering new insights and innovations that bridge disciplines to advance Texas’ competitiveness, and driving innovation, partnerships and economic growth to build a better tomorrow.

“Look North: UNT 2030 reflects our commitment to guide grit to greatness,” Keller said. “As North Texas’ largest university committed to creating enduring value for the public good, we are building new models that not only prepare students for success but also contribute solutions and leadership that benefit our region, our state and our nation.”

With 75% of UNT’s undergraduates from the North Texas region, nearly half from low-income families and more than 40% being first-generation college students, the university has a deep commitment to providing access to an affordable, high-quality education that expands opportunities for students and communities. This commitment is reflected in UNT’s rising national recognition for advancing social mobility, including its recent jump to No. 34 on U.S. News & World Report’s “Top Performers on Social Mobility” list, as well as the university’s ongoing efforts to reduce student debt and expand financial aid opportunities.

In conjunction with the five-year strategic plan, UNT unveiled its Better Look North student success campaign aimed at raising $100 million to advance scholarships, student support services, career-connected learning opportunities, and other strategies to ensure every student has the support needed to earn their degree and launch into meaningful careers. 

“By investing in people and programs that remove barriers and strengthen pathways, UNT is positioning its students and faculty to drive the future of Texas and beyond,” said Brandon Buzbee, vice president for university advancement. “This campaign is about unlocking potential. When our donors invest in student success, they’re shaping the trajectory of our state’s workforce, economy and communities. Better Look North is an invitation to believe in the power of what’s possible when we give talent a chance to rise.”

Through Look North: UNT 2030, UNT will:

• Invest in Talent: Modernize curriculum, expand student success systems and enhance faculty and staff development
• Scale What Works: Grow high-impact programs, deepen partnerships with industry and community leaders and connect more students to career-aligned learning opportunities
• Accelerate Innovation: Position UNT as a national model for public higher education that turns research into real-world solutions and drives collaboration across disciplines.

“People come to Denton for places like UNT — it’s a catalyst for our community," said Denton Mayor Gerard Hudspeth. "UNT and Denton are joined in so many ways, and we work best when we collaborate, whether it’s welcoming new students, hosting community events or finding ways to grow smart together. It’s a delight to have President Keller here, someone who knows how to set a vision, build partnerships and bring people together. That partnership is what makes our city special.”

The plan also highlights UNT at Frisco, emphasizing strong industry partnerships and flexible program delivery to extend educational opportunities, applied research and regional impact in Collin and Denton counties. The university’s vision expands that impact, aligning its goals with the needs of North Texas communities and industries.

“President Keller’s vision for the future of UNT is a strong indicator that the university will remain poised to drive North Texas’ economic growth and workforce development for generations to come,” said Melanie Vest, president and CEO of DATCU. “We are grateful to play a part in making his strategic plans a reality and to continue partnering with UNT to strengthen our community.”

Sanger Mayor Thomas Muir said he sees UNT’s influence reaching across the region. 

“President Keller’s got a bold vision for where we’re going,” Muir said. “I love the collaborative nature of what he’s doing with our faculty, students, workforce and community. Anything this university does has a spillover effect that touches every town and economic unit in North Texas. We’re starting to see that impact even in Sanger, and it’s a win-win for everyone.”

Implementation of the new UNT strategic plan will occur in three phases over five years, guided by measurable outcomes including student retention and graduation rates, research and innovation metrics and alumni success in high-demand careers. Laura Wright, a member of the UNT System Board of Regents, said the plan reflects UNT’s leadership across the system and the state.

“It’s a very comprehensive plan that touched on students, faculty, staff and philanthropy,” Wright said. “UNT is our flagship university and a big part of our system. This plan aligns perfectly with where we want to head across all three of our universities.”

For more information, visit strategicplan.unt.edu.

***

About the University of North Texas (UNT)

Ranked a Tier One research university by the Carnegie Classification, UNT is the flagship of the UNT System and is located in Denton, Texas. With 242 degree programs and a thriving community of nearly 44,000 students, UNT serves the North Texas region and helps drive the state’s economy through groundbreaking research, educational excellence focused on career readiness, and a spirit of creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurship. Across its Denton and Frisco campuses, UNT students earned more than 13,000 degrees last year.