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University of Central Oklahoma

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The University of Central Oklahoma, the state's oldest institution of higher education, was mandated by the Oklahoma Territorial Legislature on December 20, 1890 as the Territorial Normal School in Edmond. The original purpose of the school was to train teachers.

Today approximately 450 full-time and 400 adjunct faculty teach a total of almost 16,000 students enrolled in five undergraduate colleges and a college of graduate studies and research.

No other university in the state is better positioned to tackle the challenges of the future than is UCO. With $54 million in construction recently behind us and more on the way, we are moving toward new horizons that will bring even greater rewards and accolades to the university community.

UCO can boast of state-of-the-art facilities and equipment, but the real measure of a university lies in the education of its students.

We are committed to providing strong academic programs that inspire intellectual curiosity, analytical thinking and effective communication skills. Student support services and activities that encourage broader horizons, increased appreciation for diversity and enhanced appreciation for the arts are vital - as are experiences that empower students for leadership roles in an ever-changing world.

UCO is dedicated to leadership and helping students learn so that they may become productive, creative, ethical, and engaged citizens. Our students thrive in an atmosphere that is friendly and caring, yet demanding and challenging. Add to this our commitment to scholarship, our strength in teaching, our investment in technology and our dedication to leadership experiences, and you have a solid foundation in higher education for a bold and prosperous future.

Our roots are deeply embedded in tradition, but our branches are constantly reaching skyward, always in search of new horizons.

MISSION
The University of Central Oklahoma (UCO) exists to help students learn by providing transformative education experiences to students so that they may become productive, creative, ethical and engaged citizens and leaders serving our global community. UCO contributes to the intellectual, cultural, economic and social advancement of the communities and individuals it serves.

VISION
UCO will become one of the Top 10 metropolitan universities of our kind in the United States by providing a transformative education as well as development experiences that help learners achieve their highest level of leadership potential.

CALL TO ACTION
The University of Central Oklahoma is the Leadership University, delivering education based on our shared values of Community, Character and Civility. UCO transforms each student by focusing our resources on the Central Six tenets of transformative learning.

All students will be transformed with:

*Discipline Knowledge
*Leadership
*Research, Scholarly and Creative Activities
*Service Learning and Civic Engagement
*Global and Cultural Competencies
*Health and Wellness

Transformative learning is a holistic process that places students at the center of their own active and reflective learning experience.

The University of Central Oklahoma is located in Edmond, considered by many to be Oklahoma's "Crown Jewel" community. Edmond is one of the state's most desired places to live with its thriving historic downtown, excellent school system and fantastic cultural offerings. The community enjoys year-round music, art, theater, water and sporting events. Known worldwide for its outstanding golf courses, Edmond hosts some of the most exciting PGA and celebrity events. Edmond tennis courts have a history of hosting USTA tournaments. Also available are competitive soccer fields, including one indoors, and competitive ice skating and roller skating facilities. The Lazy E Arena, the country's largest indoor arena, provides a full calendar of rodeo events. Lake Arcadia is just minutes east of the campus, offering hiking trails, fishing and water skiing. And, fifteen minutes south is downtown Oklahoma City with its great attractions. In addition, there is Oklahoma's state Capitol, the Oklahoma City Zoo, the Omniplex and a surrounding complex of museums just as close. Then there's July 4th and Edmond's LibertyFest, selected as one of the top 10 places to be in America by CNN and USA Today.

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