Remarks highlight bold priorities for student success, research, and regional impact
East Tennessee State University President Dr. Brian Noland delivered the annual State of the University address today, outlining a forward-looking vision that places students, research, and regional partnerships at the center of ETSU’s focus.
Speaking before an audience of trustees, faculty, staff, students, alumni, and community leaders, President Noland emphasized the university’s continued commitment to student success, affordability, workforce readiness, and regional mission.
“This is a magical time on the campus of East Tennessee State University, and I have the honor today to tell the story of an institution on the move,” President Noland said. “This is a university where we strive together to solve challenges that face not only us but the region as a whole. It is a university that is seeing enrollment increases, that has solid financial reserves, and that has been recognized among the best in the nation for being a great place to work.”
Watch the 2025 State of the University address
Highlights from the Address
Higher Education Landscape
While institutions across the country face declining budgets, enrollment declines, and significant financial challenges, ETSU is in a strong position, thanks to strategic planning, the State of Tennessee's continued investments in higher education, and a commitment to building and maintaining financial reserves.
Institutional Health
Over the past year, ETSU has redesigned its budget model to better align spending to institutional priorities and program growth. Additionally, the university modernized its classification and compensation model for employees and made some of the largest investments in employee compensation in the university’s history. ETSU has been repeatedly recognized for having a positive work environment, earning a coveted spot on The Chronicle of Higher Education's Great Colleges to Work For Honor Roll in 2025.
Performance Across Strategic Indicators
Since ETSU's Board of Trustees was formed in 2017, the institution has realized tremendous progress across a variety of key performance indicators, with enrollment, retention rates, graduation rates, sponsored awards, financial reserves, employee salaries, and the number of on-campus residents all trending upward.
Access and Success
ETSU is among the top institutions in the state for undergraduate enrollment growth, and this spring, reached its highest-ever six-year graduation rate at 55 percent. The university continues to serve a high number of first-generation and low-income students, with 60 percent of all ETSU students being Pell-eligible. ETSU is also home to more than 1,000 military-affiliated students and has repeatedly been recognized as a military-friendly institution.
Strategic Initiatives
Over the past year, ETSU has made significant progress toward goals outlined in its strategic vision. In 2025-26, the university will focus on initiatives related to adult degree completion and online education; the continued development of the Mary V. Jordan Student Success Center; expansion of the academic portfolio, including new opportunities in engineering, hospitality, and tourism; P-20 alignment and rural education enhancement; and development of an outdoor adventure program.
Research and Innovation
The university is undertaking a strategic planning process to expand and enhance research, innovation, scholarship, and creative activity. Since 2020, the university's R&D expenditures have grown by 203 percent, and sponsored programs topped $65 million last year.
Community Stewardship
During the address, President Noland announced that ETSU has received a $29 million GEAR UP grant to expand educational opportunities for rural students. He highlighted ongoing investments in campus facilities and community spaces — from the new Integrated Health Sciences building that will expand access to health care, to artistic and cultural opportunities at the Martin Center and ETSU’s new downtown site in the Ashe Street Courthouse — all aimed at making the university a welcoming hub that enhances quality of life across the region. The address also emphasized ETSU’s role as the flagship institution for Appalachia, with President Noland underscoring a wide variety of community partnerships and initiatives such as ETSU Elevates.
About the Event
The annual State of the University address provides a progress report on the implementation of ETSU's strategic vision, outlines priorities for the coming year, and anchors university trends within the broader context of the state and federal higher education landscapes.
