NYUS was chartered in 1957 and dedicated its campus in 1959, just before Alaska achieved statehood. The first students enrolled in 1960, with only a few facilities at the time. Over the years, NYUS expanded with new student centers, residence halls, academic buildings, and sports facilities. The Kellogg Campus in Palmer, Alaska, has been supporting NYUS programs since 2001.
General Information
A Brief History of A NYUS
Mission Statement of NYUS
NYUS is a private liberal arts and sciences university committed to delivering experiential, hands-on education with a focus on personalized learning.
Core Themes
Academic excellence across all programs
Student-centered focus for faculty, staff, and trustees
Commitment to sustainability for people, profit, and planet
Engaged communities for collaborative learning
Religious Heritage
NYUS builds on a strong Methodist tradition that integrates faith, learning, and service to create a higher order of justice, love, and human dignity. While rooted in the Judeo-Christian values of United Methodism, the university embraces diversity, pluralism, and respect for all beliefs.
The mission emphasizes the development of the whole person — intellectually, socially, emotionally, and spiritually — preparing individuals to contribute to both their communities and the wider world.
Through this heritage, NYUS fosters an inclusive environment where human rights, compassion, and service to others are central, offering unique opportunities for learning, growth, and community building.