Founded in 1850, Urbana University offers a liberal arts education in a small university environment.  From its founders, Urbana University inherited its tradition of emphasizing student learning through individual attention, excellence in instruction, career-oriented programs, and critical reflection on ethical and moral issues. 

Offering the best of both worlds, Urbana University is located on a 128-acre campus in the small city of Urbana, Ohio, with the major metropolitan areas of Columbus and Dayton within an hour's drive.  With 24 academic majors and a wide variety of activities and organizations, our students have a wealth of opportunities from which to choose.

Mission

As an independent liberal arts institution, Urbana University’s strength lies in its quality faculty, students, and curriculum supported by strong student services.

Urbana University prepares students for a lifetime of leadership and service to society through excellent classroom instruction, real world experiences, community partnerships, and technology.

It is the mission of Urbana University to offer a liberal arts education in a small college environment emphasizing student learning through individual attention, excellence in instruction, career-oriented programs, and critical reflection on moral and ethical values.

Institutional Vision 2014

Urbana University prepares students for a lifetime of leadership and service to their communities through quality classroom instruction, real world experience, community partnerships, and technology.

Urbana University will be an engaged and energized community of learners with an enrollment of 2500 students. The student body will not only reflect the diversity of our region, but will also include international students in our graduate and undergraduate programs to enhance the learning environment.

In our region the university will be the first choice of students looking for robust programs with a good academic reputation that lead to specific vocational choices. Urbana University will be characterized by:

• Excellence in education led by an outstanding faculty, guided by its liberal arts core and benefiting an increasingly capable student body. Known for outstanding teaching and scholarship, Urbana University will pursue excellence through our known strengths and growing academic reputation in education, business and allied health.
  
• A nurturing community fully committed to engaging students on an individual level. The University will maintain a safe environment, continue small class sizes taught by the faculty, provide user-friendly support services to students through a highly trained staff, and offer a vibrant campus life. Co-curricular activities, including intercollegiate athletics, will support the intellectual and social development of students, serve as vehicles for leadership and character development, and provide a conduit for enhanced community relationships.
  
• A commitment to service as evidenced by the involvement of our students in service learning activities throughout our communities and through the civic engagement of our faculty and staff.

Enrollment growth will be accomplished through an honors program of 200 students and other new programs to benefit the growth of traditional-aged students; continued development and growth of graduate programs that compliment strong undergraduate programs; new programs and locations for the School of Adult & Graduate Education (SAGE); the creation of new allied health programs; and expanded arts programs that will include theater, visual arts, choral and instrumental music programs. Performances by community and student musical groups, community arts instruction, traveling arts exhibits, visiting artists, and a variety of courses in the arts will be a part of our identity.

In addition to the development of new programs to promote enrollment growth, Urbana University will generate growth through increased student success. Beyond our commitment to quality classroom teaching, we will define excellence through our effectiveness in preparing students for the Urbana University educational experience. Urbana University will provide effective and positive transition steps, a strong freshman experience beginning with a thorough orientation, a tiered structure of intensive academic advising and mentoring that meets the needs of students, a seamless delivery of student services, and a challenging curriculum.

The Urbana University of the future will have a university structure that supports academic programs and academic mission. The University will be organized into three professional schools and a school of Arts and Sciences. The professional schools will be Education, Business and Allied Health. Each school will have fully developed accredited programs with a natural progression into graduate programs. The Center for Adult and Continuing education will continue to serve as an outreach arm of each of the programs we choose to market and deliver to adult students.

The administration of Urbana University is committed to the principles of shared governance and institutional effectiveness through continuous improvement. As such we will pursue strategic planning as an on-going process that will engage the entire campus in planning the future direction of the institution.

Urbana University recognizes the critical role our faculty and staff serve in the success of our students and our institution. In order to both recruit and retain those who make Urbana University an institution of excellence, we will work toward providing competitive compensation, benefits, and professional development.

History

Urbana University was founded in 1850 by followers of the 18th century Swedish philosopher and scientist, Emanuel Swedenborg (1688-1772). The university was the second institution in Ohio to admit women. The groundwork for the founding of the university was in part laid by John Chapman, better known as "Johnny Appleseed." While more famous for spreading apple seeds throughout the East, Chapman was also a Swedenborgian missionary and helped spread this faith among the early settlers around Urbana. Chapman encouraged his friend and fellow Swedenborgian, Colonel John James, to donate the land on which Urbana University was built. To this day, the University maintains an informal relationship with the Swedenborgian General Convention of the Church of the New Jerusalem in the United States of America.

Philosophy

From its founders, Urbana University inherited its mission, philosophy of learning, and liberal arts traditions. Urbana University graduates are well-prepared, confident men and women who are able to adapt to many professional and personal challenges. University enrollment has grown well above the national average since 1997. Combined enrollment in all university programs is over 1,500.

Faculty

Urbana University ranks as one of the least expensive private universities in Ohio. Our faculty are drawn from the finest universities and colleges in the world. More than 74 percent hold a Ph.D. or a terminal degree in their field of expertise. The student-to-faculty ratio is a comfortable 16-to-1, backing up our claim of "individual attention." The small class size enables interaction with the instructor, creating a close relationship that often is not found at larger institutions. Faculty also believe in an open door policy and post ample office hours. Students who excel in academics, leadership, service and other areas may be recognized by invitation to membership in appropriate honor societies.

Facilities

Campus facilities include a blend of modern and traditional architecture, creating a peaceful and safe setting for learning and interacting with faculty and students. Set on 128 acres, the campus consists of academic and administrative buildings including the modern Lewis and Jean Moore Center for Mathematics and Science, the multipurpose Warren G. Grimes Center, a recently renovated commons area, a women’s residence hall completed in the fall of 2000, and a new men's residence hall completed in the summer of 2004. Residence halls offer both traditional rooms and suite-style accommodations for over 450 students.