The University of North Texas at Dallas (UNT Dallas) is a public university in Dallas, Texas. Part of the University of North Texas System, the university was founded in 2000 and became an independent institution in 2010. Serving approximately 4,000 students, the university offers undergraduate and graduate programs across several disciplines, including education, business, and law. The university's College of Law is located in downtown Dallas.
In 1997, Texas state senator Royce West suggested a feasibility study for a state university in southern Dallas County, an area of Dallas County that is predominantly African American and was then served only by the private Paul Quinn College. The campus, which was to become the first public university within Dallas city limits, was launched at a temporary location in the spring 2000 semester with an enrollment of 204 part-time students, a full-time equivalent enrollment of 55 students.
Campus Establishment and Growth (2001-2010)
The Dallas City Council approved a resolution in June 2001 to provide up to $3 million by January 2002 to buy about 200 acres (0.81km2) in southern Dallas' I-20 corridor for the future UNT Dallas campus. Private donations raised the size of the property for the new university campus to 264 acres (1.07km2).
A 2001 bill passed by the Texas Legislature and signed into law by governor Rick Perry authorized the UNT System to establish UNT Dallas as an independent university once enrollment reached 2,500. A 2003 bill changed the requirement to the equivalent of 1,000 full-time students for one semester.
A ground-breaking ceremony for the first building on the future campus took place in October 2005. The first permanent building on the UNT Dallas Campus site, a 76,000-square-foot (7,100m2) building, was occupied in January 2007. The building was made possible by a state tuition revenue bond initiative of $25.5 million. Further funding from the same source was used to construct the second building, and construction began in 2009.[3]
Enrollment on the UNT Dallas Campus initially grew at an average annual rate of 14 percent per year and reached the necessary full-time equivalent of 1,000 students during the spring semester of 2007. In April 2009, the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board certified this enrollment and granted UNT Dallas status as an independent general academic institution. Freshmen and sophomores were admitted for the first time in the Fall of 2010.
Leadership and Institutional Development (2010-Present)
From the beginning, the head of the campus was John Ellis Price. Initially he was designated the UNT Dallas Campus chief executive officer; the position was later upgraded first to vice chancellor, then "president designate", and finally, president. Price announced in July 2012 that he would not remain in his job after his contract was planned to end in August 2013.[4] On March 26, 2013, the UNT Board of Regents announced that Ronald T. Brown would become the next President, effective July 1, 2013.[5] On August 1, 2015, Ronald T. Brown was moved to a new position within the UNT System and former Dallas Morning News' editor Bob Mong was installed as UNT Dallas' third president.[6]
2016 brought many major developments to the campus. The campus broke ground on its first residence hall in August.[7] The building was planed to house its first students in fall 2017. Full-time enrollment for fall 2016 jumped to more than 3,000 students,[8] an increase of almost 22% over the previous year.[9] In October, DART completed the extension of their Blue Line bringing rail service directly to the UNT Dallas campus.[10] This opened the door to those living along the Blue Line corridor as far north as Rowlett.
The SERCH Institute at UNT Dallas (Service Education Research Community Hope) partnered with Mayor Mike Rawlings' GrowSouth initiative and began working with 10 AmeriCorps VISTA members working in approximately 32 neighborhoods in southern Dallas. Their efforts were aimed at strengthening neighborhoods and build the internal capacity of their neighborhood associations.[11][12]
University of North Texas at Dallas College of Law
The UNT Dallas College of Law is the only public law school in Dallas and is fully accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA). Founded in 2014, the college initially operated in the historic Titche-Goettinger Building before relocating to its permanent home at 106 S. Harwood St. in downtown Dallas.
School of Behavioral Health and Human Services
The School of Behavioral Health and Human Services offers educational programs that focus on human development in social, counseling, mental health, and child and family services.
School of Business
UNTD’s School of Business offers a variety of undergraduate and graduate programs that cater to the needs of the Dallas-Fort Worth business community.
School of Education
The UNT Dallas School of Education offers a wide range of programs that equip students for careers in education, including bachelor’s and graduate degrees.
School of Liberal Arts and Sciences
The School of Liberal Arts and Sciences offers 11 undergraduate and 2 graduate programs.
Student life
As of Fall 2024, the university enrolled 3,774 students. The campus demographics are shown in the graphs below.
Student organizations, honor societies, and faith-based campus groups are each led by students under the advisement of a faculty member.[14] These organizations exist to provide opportunities for personal and professional growth, as well as socialization on campus.[15][16] There are approximately 30 student-led organizations currently listed at the university.[17]
Among the student organizations listed, the social Greek community at the university is made up of 10 sororities and fraternities. Seven of these are already established with campus chapters, while the other three are currently awaiting chapter approval.[18]
Campus events
UNTD also has activities for students to connect with one another on campus. Such campus events include monthly food distribution events with the North Texas Food Bank and workshops aimed at raising awareness for various groups which have been historically underrepresented.[19]
Residential life
UNTD offers students the opportunity to live on campus in its residential hall. The university includes accommodations for students living on campus, as well as a list of resources for students interested in applying for off-campus housing. Students are not required to live on campus to maintain enrollment.[20]
For transportation to and from campus, the university offers access via the Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) bus. [21]
Athletics
The University's athletic teams are known as the Trailblazers and compete in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). The Trailblazers became official members of the Sooner Athletic Conference (SAC) in the 2021-2022 season, Joining 12 other university's in a conference that has won 109 NAIA championships since its inception in 1978.[22]
UNT Dallas competes in six intercollegiate varsity sports: Men's sports include basketball, cross country and track & field; while women's sports likewise include basketball, cross country and track & field. The university offers a co-ed Esports program, whose varsity division joins over 260 other universities as members of The National Association of Collegiate Esports (NACE).[23]
Staff and Facilities
The Trailblazers are led by Athletic Director and former Dallas Maverick All-Star Josh Howard. Howard, who doubles as the Head men's Basketball coach, added Athletic Director to his portfolio in the 2024-25 season.[24] He is assisted by fellow North Carolina native Matthew Johnson. The Women's basketball team is led by Interim Head Coach Shelia Davis and Assistant Otis Nicksion, while the Track and Field Programs are headed by Interim Knashia Dawson.[25] All athletic programs currently compete and practice at The Jesse Owens Memorial Athletic Complex located about 2 miles from campus.[26] This multi-sport complex, built in 2005 to support DISD middle and high school athletics, features Ellis Davis Fieldhouse and John Kincade Stadium, with seating capacities of 7,500 and 12,000, respectively.[27]
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