The Wilson & Jane Jones Leadership Academy
Throughout its history, the University of North Texas has delivered on its promise to ensure students have access to a high-quality education without regard to their income or background. Today, UNT stands as one of the largest and most diverse tier 1 research universities in the country. With over 41% of our students designated as first generation, UNT is a social mobility elevator, changing entire family trees because of the economic mobility enabled by a UNT degree and a vibrant growing region. With so many students navigating college as the first in their family, many struggle to persist and graduate. Whether it is because of financial challenges or the struggle to believe that they belong in a collegiate environment, many students drop out when faced with various challenges to completing their degrees. At UNT, we don’t want to simply get a student through their degree program, we need a partner to enable students to launch into lives of meaning and purpose. We envision a future where our faculty, staff and coaches see particular promise in our students and are empowered to impact their future through a transformational leadership program. This program will not only help in meeting the financial needs of students who are showing great promise both academically and professionally, but also surround them
with a world class curriculum that helps them to grow and learn as leaders on campus and as young professionals. We believe the Wilson & Ann Jones Leadership Academy, a unique program with curricula created in collaboration with the Jones family, will foster a sense of belief, belonging and empowerment. The program will provide elevated access to a world class network of business and athletic leaders to bring the cohort of students to transformational levels of success. These students will also be challenged to invest in the lives of their peers while at UNT, transforming campus culture at scale.
The Wilson & Jane Jones Leadership Academy will potentially reach up to one-third of UNT’s undergraduate student population. Your investment in student success creates an opportunity for excellence at the University of North Texas and life changing impact for generations of students who simply need encouragement and coaching to reach incredible heights.
Student-Athlete Impact Every student-athlete at UNT (over 460) will experience the Jones Leadership Academy curriculum through the Elevate program. Through the pillars of personal development, professional advance- ment, community engagement and leadership enhancement, the Elevate Student-Athlete Develop- ment program is designed to educate, equip and empower the total-person development of Mean Green student-athletes in preparation for success at the University of North Texas and beyond. The leadership curriculum will be adapted for the program and strategically integrated in various sessions of Elevate, most specifically intertwined in the leadership enhancement support. These programs will take place in and through the Student-Athlete Development Center in the new Athletic Center Expansion and will reach all student-athletes through a variety of integrated lessons, seminars and experiences. Ryan College of Business Impact The Jones Academy’s curriculum will benefit students in the Ryan College of Business (over 9,500) by integrating the lessons developed for existing required career curriculum. This will continue to strengthen the awareness of the Wilson Jones Career Center and equip staff and faculty with signature curricula to use to engage and prepare students for their professional journeys. To become a Wilson & Jane Jones Scholar, first-generation students can be nominated by a staff or faculty member, or they can submit an application themselves. As a designated scholar, students will receive significant financial support through an impactful endowed scholarship fund, thus providing them the opportunity to complete their college education. 460+ 9,500+ 100s STUDENT RYAN COLLEGE OF FIRST-GEN ATHLETES BUSINESS STUDENTS STUDENTS
Additionally, students will participate in a yearlong cohort-based program led by the Jones Leadership Academy program director. These student participants in the Jones Leadership Academy will also carry elevated academic standards, needing to sustain a GPA of 3.5 and above. They are ambitious and have displayed values that have helped them to reach this stage. They are eager to complete their final coursework, within 60 hours of graduation, but have endured a set-back — either self-identified or identified by a faculty member — that is preventing them to move forward in their academic journey. Student-athletes, Ryan College of Business students and first-generation scholars will then be a part of the academy cohort in which they will have unique opportunities, including: • Participation in a mentorship program, in which as a Jones Scholar, they will mentor others.
• Attending a lecture from an • Engaging with a network of
industry leader each semester.
contacts who are eager to help support the student’s academic leadership progression and transition into industry.
In reaching our student-athletes and first-generation students, the Jones Leadership Academy will have a profound impact in ensuring students who show tremendous promise are invested in as the leaders they are, and made partners in the transformation of UNT’s campus culture. The Wilson & Jane Jones Leadership Academy will foster support and momentum for some of the most promising students at the University of North Texas. The academy is envisioned to specifically spark persistence and ensure a significant number of students across campus benefit from focused support and coaching to achieve their dreams of earning college degrees.
With your partnership, we will establish and equip the Wilson & Jane Jones Leadership Academy and bring it to scale, shaping what it means to be a student at the University of North Texas. We appreciate your collaboration and look forward to receiving your feedback on this concept, which we believe is pivotal to securing a stronger future for the University of North Texas.
Brandon Buzbee Vice President for University Advancement brandon.buzbee@unt.edu 940-565-2010 Jared Mosley Vice President and Director of Athletics jared.moseley@unt.edu 940-565-2789 Jessica Steinke Assistant Vice President of College/Unit Development jessica.steinke@unt.edu 940-369-7623
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