Growth and community engagement were two of the biggest topics that were touched upon by Union Commonwealth University President Dr. DJ Washington during a recent presentation to the Corbin Rotary Club.
“Union is booming with energy, excitement and urgency,” Washington said to Rotary Club members. “We are really excited.”
Washington, who is a native of the Nashville, Tenn. area, recounted his own college years at Union, where he played basketball as a Bulldog from 2000 to 2003. He said that, despite his teammate’s differences in backgrounds, he remembers how everyone would come together on the court in order to achieve a common goal of winning games. He implied that he wants to see that same kind of teamwork mentality on campus now, as the newly branded Union Commonwealth University seeks to expand its offerings and make a positive impact on the community at-large.
Washington explained that he served on Union’s board of trustees for five years before being named president. In that time, he said that he had many concerns about what he called the institution’s “financial challenges.” He is happy to report now, however, that things have “turned around really quickly” after the implementation of several operational changes.
Washington said that UCU should soon be seeing an approximate $5 million increase in revenues generated, and thanks to a cost reduction program that does not include layoffs, he said that the ship is getting righted on campus without having to send anyone home.
“We’re doing really well,” Washington said. “And as we continue to turn things around from a financial standpoint, I think that you’re going to see some really cool growth around our campus.”
Elaborating on that growth, Washington said that enrollment at Union has increased significantly with an estimated 240 percent jump between 2020 and 2025. With the increased enrollment comes a need for additional housing options, which is something that is being addressed in the form of a $7 million renovation project that will transform a former science building on campus into a new “living and learning community.”
With about 400 beds currently on campus, the new facility will add between 50-60 beds in the upstairs portion of the building. The ground floor will contain an academic space that will be dedicated to health sciences. Washington said that he is excited about the impact that this center will have in terms of workforce development with many future professionals in the field of health science being able to receive the education and training that they will need to be successful post-college.
Other comments that Washington made during his presentation included highlighting some of the differences between operating as Union Commonwealth University as opposed to Union College. He said that the designation shows that the institution is able to be more comprehensive in its academic offerings, including online programs and Master degree programs. He said that he hopes to eventually add doctoral programs as well.
When it comes to online enrollment, Washington said that those students have played a large role in the university’s overall growth. Currently, he said that total enrollment stands at about 1,300 students, which is nearly doubled when compared to when he was a student in the early 2000’s.
For more information on Union Commonwealth University, visit them online at www.unionky.edu.
