‘Moving forward with purpose’: Augusta University 2025 Year-in-Review

As the calendar turns to 2026, it’s only natural to look forward to the possibilities a new year brings, but it’s just as important to look back on the achievements of the previous year.

At Augusta University, 2025 was a year of growth, exceeding expectations and increasing the institution’s impact on the CSRA, Georgia and beyond.

Life-changing impact

For the 10th consecutive year, AU exceeded its enrollment goals with a total of 12,337 students enrolled, marking a 6.5% increase over Fall 2024. The university’s growth includes a record 1,288 freshmen, 6,405 total undergraduate students and 5,932 graduate, professional and post-professional students enrolled.

Among the top undergraduate majors, the College of Nursing saw a 13% increase followed by the College of Science and Mathematics and the College of Education and Human Development, which grew by 11% and 9%, respectively.

At the graduate level, the Katherine Reese Pamplin College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences saw the largest percentage increase, with the launch of the Intelligence, Defense, and Cybersecurity Policy PhD program. Meanwhile, the James M. Hull College of Business and the School of Public Health grew by 26% and 24%, respectively.

On top of the continued enrollment success, AU continued its strong tradition of preparing students to join the workforce by conferring 3,308 degrees during the 2025 calendar year, including 1,067 undergraduates, 1,881 graduate, 334 professional and 26 post professional degrees.

“The strides we made in 2025 reflect our unwavering commitment to delivering education that transforms lives and strengthens communities, with a direct impact on our students, patients and all Georgians,” said AU President Russell T. Keen. “This is an exciting time for Augusta University, and our achievements over the past year demonstrate our dedication to excellence in every interaction and every experience. That commitment continues to inspire students to pursue the diverse areas of study that ultimately strengthen our state and our university.”

As we take some time to celebrate with friends and colleagues and prepare for an exciting new year, below are some of our most notable stories of 2025. These pieces, and those linked throughout the article, are just a small snapshot of a big year filled with monumental moments at AU.

January

After challenges and recovery efforts caused by Hurricane Helene took up much of the final quarter of 2024, January offered AU and the CSRA a chance to reset and refocus. While winter weather briefly disrupted class schedules, the university quickly regained its stride, opening the year with forward-looking investments in safety, service and scholarship that underscored AU’s resilience and momentum.

Public safety and community engagement stood out early in the year, as the AU Police Department unveiled $2.7 million in technology upgrades supported by a federal grant. Alongside new tools, AUPD continued to emphasize connection through training programs, outreach efforts and everyday engagement with students and employees. That same spirit of service extended into the community, where students in the Hull College of Business partnered with local nonprofits to apply classroom learning by creating meaningful, real-world impact.

Research and academic advancement also took center stage as the Immunology Center of Georgia within the Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University continued to gain national attention, including a prestigious NIH pilot grant supporting innovative research into chronic inflammatory diseases. MCG also expanded programs that prepare students to respond in emergencies, and the Electron Microscope and Histology Core Lab continued to reinforce AU’s role as a leader in education, research and service across the state and beyond.

February

The School of Computer and Cyber Sciences reinforced AU’s leadership in cybersecurity education in February by earning the National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Operations, marking the second designation from the National Security Agency’s NCAE-C program. AU is the only institution in Georgia with both the coveted cyber defense and cyber operations designations.

The university’s commitment to improving quality of life across the state was evident through the release of the fourth edition of “Healthy Georgia: Our State of Public Health,” offering data-driven insight into health outcomes and challenges in the state and Southeast region. AU also strengthened its focus on education and innovation, launching a local chapter of Get Georgia Reading through the Dr. Paulette P. Harris Literacy Center and kicking off the annual INNOVATE Pitch Competition, giving students and community members a platform to turn ideas into action.

Campus pride and community engagement rounded out the month as AU celebrated Homecoming while serving as the start and finish line for the Augusta Half Marathon, 10K and 5K. The Dental College of Georgia hosted two of its largest outreach events of the year with the 26th annual Impressions Day and the 22nd annual Give Kids a Smile, both of which underscore AU’s ongoing commitment to bridging the gap between hands-on education, service and access to quality health care.

March

March marked a major milestone for AU as the Georgia General Assembly approved $99.8 million to support construction of a new translational research building. The investment, which was supported by Gov. Brian P. Kemp; Lt. Gov. Burt Jones; state legislators, including Speaker of the House Jon Burns; House Appropriations Chairman Matt Hatchett; Senate Appropriations Chairman Blake Tillery; Rep. Mark Newton, chairman of the House Committee on Higher Education Appropriations; Sen. Billy Hickman, chairman of the Senate Committee on Higher Education Appropriations; the Augusta legislative delegation; as well as Chancellor Sonny Perdue and the University System of Georgia, reinforces AU’s role as a hub for discovery, accelerating the path from the bench to real-world impact and strengthening the university’s research enterprise for years to come.

The College of Allied Health Sciences continued to refine an immersive program that welcomes elementary, middle and high school students to campus, offering early exposure to the wide range of careers available in health care. AU’s annual Capitol Day further amplified the university’s voice at the state level, bringing students, faculty and university leaders together to showcase AU’s impact to lawmakers and partners.

Campus life and community support rounded out March’s momentum as AU celebrated the opening of its new Outdoor Recreation Center, expanding wellness and recreation opportunities for students and employees. Augusta Gives once again demonstrated the power of the AU family’s collective generosity, raising more than $650,000 to support students, programs and initiatives across the university.

April

A focal point of April was AU’s continued focus on opportunity, innovation and global engagement. The university launched a new program designed to expand access and support for first-generation students, reinforcing its commitment to student success from enrollment through graduation. That focus on growth and creativity was also on display as the annual INNOVATE Pitch Competition brought student and community ideas to life through collaboration, mentorship and entrepreneurial thinking.

Learning extended well beyond campus throughout the month. Students from the College of Allied Health Sciences traveled to Rwanda, gaining hands-on, cross-cultural experience while contributing to health care education and service abroad. Closer to home, AU’s impact was recognized nationally as four faculty members and one alumnus were named Distinguished Fellows of the National Academies of Practice, honoring excellence in interprofessional education, research and service.

April also brought recognition to and reflection on the university’s broader role. New Student and Family Transitions earned a regional award for its work supporting incoming students and families, while AU wrapped up the 2025 legislative session with key outcomes that will help shape the institution’s future.

The end of April and the start of May were defined by celebration and transition as the university officially marked a new chapter with the investiture of Keen, bringing campus and community together to honor leadership, vision and the shared mission guiding AU’s future.

May

That spirit of celebration continued as the focus shifted to commencement, with 1,725 graduates recognized during the spring 2025 graduation and commencement exercises. The ceremonies included the annual John F. Beard Award for Compassionate Care, highlighting a graduating student with significant contributions to health care service, whose journey embodies perseverance, achievement and compassion through the power of an Augusta University education. The 2025 winner was Brooke Amero, MD, a 2025 graduate of the Medical College of Georgia and an advocate for women’s health.

Excellence across the institution was further recognized throughout the month as faculty members were honored for their dedication to teaching and student success during the University System of Georgia Academic Recognition Day, while AU also announced Maggy G. Tomova, PhD, as its new provost.

June

While June marked the official start of summer, activity across AU campuses showed no signs of slowing down. The School of Public Health hosted the fifth annual AU-McCorkle Nurseries, Inc. Rural Health Fair, bringing vital screenings, health education and resources directly to farm workers and community members surrounding MNI – reinforcing the university’s commitment to improving health outcomes across Georgia.

The month also highlighted national recognition and creative achievement. Augusta University Libraries were named a Preservation Steward by the U.S. Government Publishing Office, acknowledging their role in safeguarding public information for future generations. At the same time, a team of AU animation students gained national attention as their short film screened at multiple film festivals and collected numerous awards. AU’s leadership in cybersecurity was further affirmed as the university was once again recognized with a CSO50 Award for excellence in cybersecurity.

Summer at AU also meant hands-on learning and exploration for learners of all ages. Across June and July, the university hosted a wide range of summer camps, including VICEROY, GenCyber, Kids University, Camp Discovery and others. Each camp offers unique opportunities for local grade school students to explore everything AU has to offer across a variety of fields from health care to cybersecurity, science and more.

July

The university celebrated the completion of the first year of leadership under Keen in July, as well as a new academic and fiscal year, bringing renewed focus and momentum across campus.

Even during the summer months, AU’s impact remained visible throughout the region. Members of the school’s community were recognized as outstanding young professionals, highlighting the university’s role in developing leaders who contribute well beyond campus. Research efforts also continued year-round, with major initiatives underway, including FAST cardiovascular research and projects expanding access to mental health professionals in underserved areas, work that directly connects discovery to community need.

The integration of education, health care and service through community engagement took the spotlight as AU celebrated the 20th anniversary of the Costa Layman Health Fair. The milestone underscored AU’s long-standing commitment to meaningful outreach and was further affirmed when College of Nursing alumna Debbie Layman earned a University System of Georgia award the following month, closing July on a note of sustained impact and recognition.

August

August marked the transition from summer programming to a full return to campus, as a new academic year officially got underway. The Georgia Cancer Center continued to invest in the future workforce by hosting aspiring scientists through a summer research program, offering hands-on experience that reinforced AU’s commitment to education and discovery at every stage.

Excellence in scholarship and collaboration was also on display throughout the month. A periodontist from the Dental College of Georgia earned a prestigious national award, while AU and the Georgia Department of Public Health expanded a cross-disciplinary internship program that provides students with practical, real-world experience supporting public health initiatives across the state. AU also launched a new safety-focused campaign inspired by national life-saving initiatives, empowering students, faculty and staff to play an active role in protecting one another.

The return of students brought milestones worth celebrating, including AU welcoming its largest freshman class ever, reflecting continued growth and demand for its programs. AU was also once again named a top employer in Georgia and was recognized for contributing over $1.6 billion to the state’s economy, affirming the school’s commitment not only to student success, but also to supporting and investing in the people who make up the university.

September

If you blinked, you may have missed the month of September, which was fast-paced and marked by continued research activity and growing community engagement. Researchers connected directly with community members through a panel hosted by the Institutional Review Board. That face-to-face interaction reinforced transparency, trust and collaboration in research that impacts lives beyond campus.

Expansion and innovation were also key themes as the Medical College of Georgia celebrated the ribbon cutting of the new MCG Atlanta at Wellstar Health System housed in Wellstar Kennestone Regional Medical Center in Marietta, Georgia, extending MCG’s educational and clinical footprint across the state. At the same time, MCG’s Center for Digital Health continued to leverage technology to improve care delivery and save lives throughout Georgia, demonstrating how innovation translates into real-world outcomes.

September also brought visible investment in infrastructure and opportunity. Multiple campus upgrades enhanced learning, research and student spaces, while AU announced the second cohort of Augusta Promise Scholars, a milestone that emphasized the university’s ongoing commitment to access, affordability and student success.

October

A newly formed lipidomics research group was featured in October for their work reshaping how complex diseases are studied, while momentum continued at the Immunology Center of Georgia, which received its first IGNITE grant to support emerging research. The month also brought record-setting success for the College of Nursing, as a faculty researcher secured the largest funding award in the college’s history.

Leadership and partnership were highlighted beyond campus as leaders from AU and Wellstar traveled to Health Connect South to share insights on the growing collaboration between the university and the health care system. On campus, AU celebrated the grand opening of the CORE, expanding resources that support collaboration, learning and community engagement.

Recognition and celebration rounded out a busy month, including six AU alumnae named finalists for district Teachers of the Year, with one securing the distinction. The school awarded Syfan Logistics the President’s Award for its partnership and support, and faculty and staff were honored through teaching excellence awards and employee milestone celebrations. The month also included the Cancer Center’s annual Pace Day, bringing energy and visibility to the fundraising efforts for cancer research.

November

As the year began to wind down, AU continued to move forward throughout November with continued emphasis on student success, excellence and advancement. The opening of the Alvin and Yvette Harris Sports Performance Center marked a significant addition to AU’s athletics programs, providing AU’s student-athletes with state-of-the-art resources that support performance, health and overall well-being.

Undergraduate research initiatives and the Georgia Cyber Innovation & Training Center‘s annual STEMfest event continued to enhance both the AU student experience and the university’s impact on local grade school students by pairing hands-on discovery with mentorship, while the institution was awarded a $1.3 million grant to expand student support services, strengthening resources that help them persist and thrive from enrollment through graduation.

Recognition and generosity rounded out November’s momentum as IGIVE concluded with more than $387,000 raised to support students and programs, in addition to AU leaders being honored by Georgia Trend for their influence and impact across the state and MCG celebrating its first Pisacano Scholar, a milestone that reflects the college’s growing national profile in academic and professional excellence.

December

December served as both a culmination and a celebration as the year closed with fall commencement ceremonies taking center stage. Graduates were recognized for their academic achievements and persistence, marking the final milestone of their AU journeys and underscoring the life-changing impact of an Augusta University education.

The month also showcased creativity, preparation and professional impact across disciplines. Medical illustration students and faculty made significant contributions through their work, demonstrating how art and science intersect to advance education, communication and health care. AU further invested in the future of the profession by hosting Future Educators Day, welcoming aspiring teachers to campus and offering early insight into pathways in education.

The end of the year has included economic insight through the Hull College of Business’ annual Economic Forecast Breakfast and innovative public health outreach aimed at expanding access to blood pressure monitoring in local libraries.

Together, these efforts reflected AU’s ongoing commitment to learning, leadership and community well-being – even as the year came to a close.

“As we reflect on the past year, Karen and I are deeply grateful for the resilience, dedication, and shared purpose that define the Augusta University community —our faculty, staff, students, donors and supporters,” Keen said. “Together, we are moving forward with purpose toward our vision of becoming a premier student-centered research university, and our commitment to preparing life‑changers and life‑savers remains at the heart of our mission. As we look ahead to 2026, we do so with optimism, determination and confidence that Augusta University’s brightest days are still to come.”