University of Arizona Launches New Era in Space Observation and Student Success
UArizona space missions and campus innovation break records in astronomy research and student success
The University of Arizona continues to approach the world’s most complex challenges through a number of innovative solutions on earth and in space and a commitment to diversity and student success.
Accordingly, U.S. News & World Report ranks the University of Arizona as a top public university, tied for No. 46 while the university also leads as No. 2 among schools with high Hispanic enrollment according to the National Science Foundation.
These strong marks are reflective of the university’s mission to draw the world’s brightest minds in education and research to develop adaptive problem solvers capable of tackling mankind's greatest challenges. However, the stories behind these marks could not be told without the leadership, imagination and ambition of the faculty and students who continue to reinforce the university’s brand: “Wonder Makes Us. What will wonder make you?”
With the groundbreaking launch of the James Webb Telescope (Webb) and the significant campus transformation and launch of the Student Success District, UArizona is sure to meet their ambitious goals of access to research and higher education for all.
Explore the work, research and advancement taking place at the university that’s earned them top grades among their peers.
UArizona Launches One-Million-Mile Journey to Space
The journey to becoming No. 1 in Astronomy and Astrophysics spans nearly a century of University of Arizona history and its commitment to understanding deep space, its components and how data from these missions could possibly improve human life. With the help of esteemed Regents Professors George and Marcia Reike, UArizona is positioned to explore the evolution of the Universe and discover the history of the galaxy for a larger purpose.
“The University of Arizona is a leader in Astronomy and Astrophysics because of our ability to attract and retain the very best students, staff and faculty in the world. Our amazing people, supported by the extended university community and state of Arizona, enable us to undertake the most amazing research, from searching for signs of life on other planets to learning when and how the first stars in the Universe formed,” shares Buell Jannuzi, head of the Department of Astronomy and director of Steward Observatory at Arizona.
The James Webb Telescope (Webb) is the largest, most powerful telescope ever launched into space – designed to answer mankind’s outstanding questions about the galaxy while making breakthrough discoveries in astronomy. The data from this telescope will be captured with an infrared camera called NIRcam, giving thousands of astronomers around the world the insights they need to understand the solar system.
UArizona’s astronomy and astrophysics research is a powerful learning resource for students, faculty and alumni to investigate how space impacts mankind. The university is also on a mission to bring more inclusivity into space, beginning with increasing diversity in their space science departments.
“We are constantly working to sustain and improve the climate and environment at Arizona, the Steward Observatory, and the Department of Astronomy so that everyone can excel working with us to explore the Universe. We have made great strides in increasing the number of women in our units and continue to work to improve the diversity, in every sense, of our community,” Jannuzi continues.
On this one-million-mile journey into deep space, wonder will drive UArizona to unearth the power of astronomy and its impact on the world historically and today. Their next mission? The Giant Magellan Telescope (GMTO) being built in Chile using seven of the 8.4m diameter mirrors Arizona produces at the Richard F. Carris Mirror Lab.
Jannuzi shares, “The GMTO will have an effective primary mirror 24.5-m in diameter, enabling our students to search for signs of life on other planets — this project is critical to our continued leadership in astronomy and astrophysics, and we are grateful for the support we have received from the University and the people of Arizona in undertaking this progressive project.”
Arizona Centers Student Needs with a Seamless Student Experience
The growth and campus transformation behind the Student Success District (SSD) launched cutting-edge spaces in the renovated University Library, student support services at the new Bartlett Academic Success Center, and health and wellness resources in the improved Bear Down Building. These areas are all intentionally designed to maximize Arizona’s commitment to catapulting the passions and purpose of students every day.
“The SSD inspires wonder in potential UArizona students who will see its combination of library and student success services in the heart of campus as a resource that makes them more confident and comfortable with their prospects for success at UA,” Dean of Libraries Shan Sutton explains.
The university morphed the SSD into one, centralized space on campus for academic advisement, creativity, study, and health and wellness. The impact since these renovations began has led to 2,300,000 visits to the library, over 9,500 advising appointments, and 80% of students positively connecting their mental health and their academic success. This distinct, strategic effort within higher education will help inform what it means to help students have a fulfilling, campus experience across other institutions.
At Arizona, the Student Success District is one of the best places on campus empowering students to stay the course and develop their future plans.
“The entire SSD model was designed to be inherently flexible and evolve over time. This is especially important in tech-focused areas such as CATalyst Studios, where students have access to fabrication equipment, virtual reality stations, a green screen room for videography and photography, and other technology facilities. All of the studios are designed to be able to shift to new directions and/or new technologies. That kind of agility will help all of the SSD services to remain highly impactful as circumstances change over time,” Sutton continues.
Even after these physical SSD improvements and additions, UArizona is constantly reimagining how to serve students and enhance their overall campus experience – creating the ultimate space for wonder.
Wonder Takes Us Higher and Farther
The University of Arizona continues to facilitate wonder and drive innovation, from The James Webb Space Telescope to the Student Success District and beyond.
The Student Success District “is a commitment to every single student at the U of A writ large,” Sutton said. “We want to position every single student for success, and in my view this model has the potential to positively impact all U of A students for generations to come.”
This content was paid for and created by The University of Arizona. The editorial staff of The Chronicle had no role in its preparation. Find out more about paid content.
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