Message from the President

Dear Student,

On behalf of our entire community, welcome to National University (NU). As part of the Navigator family, you join a connected community of learners from across the nation and around the world. From your first course onward, you’ll be supported by students, alumni, faculty, and staff, all committed to helping you succeed. At NU, we believe education should support the whole person. Our Whole Human Education™ approach—built on Five Pillars of Support: academic, career, financial, family, and emotional—helps you thrive while balancing life’s other responsibilities. The majority of our students are nontraditional, often managing careers, military service, and family. As ANDers™—students who pursue their education while fulfilling many other vital roles—you bring unique strengths and perspectives to our community.

Founded in 1971 by a Veteran, NU has long been dedicated to accessible, affordable education for working adults and military-connected learners. Today, we offer more than 150 programs in flexible formats—including on-ground, online, hybrid, and metaverse courses—with both four- and eight-week options, as well as group and individual learning models. Taught by faculty with real-world expertise and supported by innovative technology and proactive advising, our programs are designed to help you reach your goals, whether advancing in your career, gaining new skills, or achieving personal fulfillment.

National University earned the prestigious Carnegie Classification® “Opportunity Colleges and Universities – Higher Access, Higher Earnings,” recognizing our commitment to affordability, workforce outcomes, and expanding research capabilities. This honor underscores our mission to promote student success and socio-economic mobility through education that opens doors to possibility.

As one of the nation’s largest private nonprofit universities, NU serves more than 130,000 learners annually and supports a global alumni network of over 250,000. Nearly a quarter of our students are military-affiliated, 40 percent are first-generation learners, and more than half of our graduates are women—reflecting our proud history of expanding access and opportunity.

Welcome again to National University. We are honored to support you—through your first course, your walk across the commencement stage, and into your future as an NU alum. Stay connected with your NU community through our social channels, where you can share your journey, celebrate milestones, and be inspired by fellow Navigators.

Wings Up!

Mark D. Milliron, Ph.D.