Athens State University

Athens State University is a two-year upper level university located in Athens, Alabama, United States. Thirty-three different majors are offered to junior and senior students. The majors are housed in one of three colleges: Education, Arts and Sciences, and Business.


History


Athens State University began as the Athens Female Academy in 1822. The Methodist Church began oversight of the institution in 1842, changing the name to the Athens Female Institute. It became Athens Female College in 1889.

In 1931 the name was shortened to Athens College when it became coeducational. In 1974 Athens State became a public institution run by the state of Alabama, and the college became known as Athens State College. Later, in 1998, the college became Athens State University. Recently, Athens State has moved to an autonomous university status and has established a board of trustees

In December of 1822, a group of citizens from Athens, Alabama, had a vision for an institute of higher learning to serve the educational needs of the women in the community. After five acres of land was purchased and a single building was built, Athens Female Academy was born and the storied history that would eventually lead to the creation of Athens State University began.

In 1842, ownership of the school was transferred to the Tennessee Conference of the Methodist Church. With the switch, Athens Female Academy became Athens Female Institute. This name remained throughout the conflict of the Civil War and through the birth of the North Alabama Conference of the Methodist Church in 1870, when the Institution came under the jurisdiction of that body. Following this transfer to the newly formed conference, the name was again changed to Athens Female College in 1889.

Following changes in social mores and community needs, Athens Female College was transformed into a co-educational institution of higher learning in 1931 and became known merely as Athens College. More than 40 years later, on May 10, 1974, the Athens College Board of Trustees requested from the North Alabama Conference of the United Methodist church that the Institution be allowed to seek affiliation with the State of Alabama. At its annual meeting in June of that same year, the conference signed off on the transfer and Athens College was officially approved to become a public institution of higher learning.

A year later, in June 1975, the Alabama State Board of Education accepted Athens College into the state educational system. Following its acceptance, the Alabama State Legislature appropriated funds for the operation of the newly minted Athens State College to serve the graduates of state junior, community, and technical colleges and institutes. Finally, in 1998, a bill was passed to rename the College as Athens State University to reflect its growth and change over the years.

As the only institution in the state of Alabama offering upper division educational services, Athens State University continues to enjoy the important and unique position that it has always occupied within the community. With a firm history upon which to build its foundation, Athens State’s colorful past has supplied the Institution with the tools necessary to continue serving Alabama far into the future.



Vision


Athens State University will be the premier destination for transfer students seeking the highest quality education and cutting-edge delivery at the most affordable cost. As the upper division university in Alabama, building on a tradition that began in 1822, Athens State University will be the catalyst for positive change in the lives of its students.

(Vision Statement was approved by the Board of Trustees on April 19th, 2013.)


Mission


The University advances the best interests of its students and the State of Alabama through teaching, service, research and other creative activities to empower students to make valuable contributions in their professional, civic, educational, and economic endeavors. Through innovative communication and course delivery for high-quality undergraduate and select graduate programs, Athens State University provides a supporting environment for each student, demonstrating the importance of the diverse and interdependent nature of our state and society. Athens State University changes the face of Alabama by changing the lives of its students.

(Mission Statement was approved by the Board of Trustees Executive Committee on March 10th, 2015.)


Goals

INSTITUTIONAL GOALS

To emphasize a student-centered approach to teaching, learning, and University life by expanding educational opportunities and social mobility through high quality instructional and student support services that are both accessible and affordable.
To promote a sense of belonging that results in lifelong associations with the University.
To foster and strengthen effective partnerships with educational, governmental, business, charitable, and civic organizations.
To recruit and retain a diverse and highly qualified faculty and staff committed to excellence in all University pursuits.
To encourage an atmosphere of diversity and to protect the free exchange of ideas.
To maintain and improve University facilities and programs through public funds and philanthropic initiatives and to ensure effective stewardship of resources.
To conduct University affairs in a manner that is transparent, deliberative, and ethical.
To evaluate, support, and effectively utilize emerging technologies.


LEARNING GOALS

1 Global Understanding

Graduates of Athens State University will understand human cultures, the natural world, and the connections of a global society in the 21st century.

2 Effective Communication

Graduates of Athens State University will read, write, speak, and listen effectively.

3 Lifelong Learner

Graduates of Athens State University will desire to learn for a lifetime.

4 Intellectual and Practical Skills

Graduates of Athens State University will think critically and creatively, independently and cooperatively,
qualitatively and quantitatively.

5 Ethical Responsibility

Graduates of Athens State University will engage in moral and ethical reasoning and will be proactive in their efforts to build a more just world.

6 Human Diversity

Graduates of Athens State University will recognize and value human difference as well as understand how those differences enrich communities.

7 Digital Citizenship and Information Literacy

Graduates of Athens State University will appropriately utilize and embrace emerging and relevant technologies and will demonstrate information literacy that will enhance their personal and professional lives.

8 Civic Engagement

Graduates of Athens State University will be prepared to participate effectively in civic, charitable, and governmental affairs.

9 Disciplinary Knowledge

Graduates of Athens State University will have an in-depth understanding of a discipline that will prepare them for careers or further studies, showing evidence of applying quality research to real situations.