President's Message

Major accomplishments occurred at the University of Guam in 2007; foremost among them is accreditation of the School of Education’s programs by the National Council of Accreditation of Teacher Education. The University’s Social Work Program also hosted a site visit from the Council on Social Work Education in December 2007, and the following February received notification that the program had been reaccredited through 2015. Program specific accreditation from nationally recognized accrediting bodies speaks to the quality of our academic programs, and is evidence that our programs meet or exceed national standards. The University also hosted the WASC Capacity and Preparatory Review visit in February 2007. This visit set the stage for WASC’s Educational Effectiveness Review, which will occur in March of 2009.

Positive trends in enrollment continued with fall 2007 marking a 3.3% increase over the prior year. New programs were also developed in 2007 including a graduate program in Clinical Psychology, and undergraduate programs in Health Sciences. The University of Guam continued to diversify its revenues; federal grants and contracts have increased 9% per year over the last six years.

This report documents the above accomplishments and many others as the University worked to meet its mission and pursue its strategic initiatives in 2007. Despite a constrained fiscal environment, the University of Guam continued to offer services to community groups, focus on research that will enhance our community, and transform lives through the power of knowledge.

I began my term as the 10th President of the University of Guam in May 2008, and since that date I have seen first hand the many accomplishments achieved by the University community in 2007. However, there is more work to be done. I look forward to future successes as we ensure that the University of Guam becomes the natural choice for our high school graduates; that UOG Green is not just our color, but a way of thinking that is environmentally conscious; and that the University is at the forefront of leading change as our island faces unprecedented growth in the years to come.

Dr. Robert A. Underwood

President

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