Academic Excellence
4 students holding award plaques

Two Auburn University Harbert College of Business student teams took top honors in a national competition to tackle challenges within the nation’s information systems, such as cyberattacks taking down power, water and/or internet utilities.

April 07, 2026

Rob Molinari leads discussion in STAT 4000 during class at Auburn University.

STAT 4000: Introduction to Data Science gives students across Auburn a hands-on foundation in data analysis, AI literacy and statistical reasoning. Taught by instructors in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics, the course equips students to work confidently and critically with data in a wide range of fields.

April 06, 2026

Auburn Engineering student Eirik Mulder stands outdoors on campus with arms crossed, wearing a black polo shirt.

Eirik Mulder’s work at the intersection of aerospace engineering and computer science has earned him one of the nation’s top undergraduate research honors.

March 31, 2026

Members of ROTC running on Auburn

Auburn University has once again been recognized in the 2026–27 Military Friendly® Schools designation, highlighting the university’s continued commitment to supporting student veterans and military-affiliated students.

March 24, 2026

Joseph Majdalani (center) receives the AIAA Abe Zarem Educator Award alongside Patrick Eid (left) and AIAA President Daniel Hastings (right) at SciTech 2026.

Auburn aerospace professor Joe Majdalani earns a record fourth AIAA Abe M. Zarem Educator Award for excellence in aeronautics and astronautics education.

March 20, 2026

Four Auburn Engineering students stand outdoors holding a laptop displaying trajectory modeling data.

Auburn Engineering students rank No. 1 in the U.S. and 10th globally in NASA’s Global Trajectory Optimization Competition, showcasing elite skills in astrodynamics and space mission design.

March 19, 2026

Beth Thorne Stukes headshot

The distinction, only the 163rd honorary degree conferred in Auburn’s 170-year history, recognizes Stukes’ lifelong commitment to education, service and philanthropy and her lasting impact on the university and communities across Alabama.

March 18, 2026

 A student in an Auburn T‑shirt stands in the stadium seating, raising a white rally towel, with a crowded section of fans in Auburn colors behind them.

This fall, honors colleges and programs at ten SEC universities -- more than half of the conference -- are joining forces to offer a first-of-its-kind academic experience exploring the business, legal and media dimensions of modern college athletics.

March 17, 2026

Side-by-side images of COSAM students Jada Conner and Brody Church. Conner is shown in an outdoor portrait on Auburn University’s campus, while Church works with laboratory equipment inside a chemistry lab.

For Jada Conner and Brody Church, research at Auburn is more than preparation for medical school. As Undergraduate Research Fellows in COSAM, they are leading projects that tackle antibiotic resistance and hormone-regulating enzymes while gaining the confidence that comes from creating new knowledge.

March 16, 2026

Kennedy Chizik, physician assistant and College of Human Sciences alumna, speaks to a patient.

In response to the growing demand for well-prepared applicants to health-related graduate programs, Auburn University’s College of Human Sciences offers pre-health pathways that equip students with the academic foundation and hands-on experience needed for careers in the medical field.

March 13, 2026

Frank and Esteban stand over the massive 3d printed map

Architecture students studying at Urban Studio in Birmingham now have a massive, 12-foot-square 3D-printed map that allows them to see the city in a different light.

March 11, 2026

Dylan Thomas and his wife, Hannah, pose with their bird dogs in a field.

Dylan Thomas had a change of heart during his undergraduate career at Auburn University. A new hobby led him to experience his true passion: outdoor recreation and bird dogs. With this newfound purpose brought adventures, expertise and a new career path within the outdoor recreation industry. As a graduate of Auburn’s Wildlife Enterprise Management (WLEM) major, Thomas now returns to his alma mater to shepherd the next generation of wildlife enterprise professionals.

March 09, 2026

A group of individuals wearing white coats sit in rows at a formal event, such as a professional or academic ceremony. The attendees are seated closely together, facing forward, with dark clothing visible beneath the white coats. The setting appears to be indoors with dark background lighting.

More than 130 third-year Auburn DVM students from 22 states celebrated a rite of passage on their educational and professional journey.

March 04, 2026

Award recipients with awards standing in front of colorful photo backdrop

Continuous improvement and academic excellence were in the spotlight Jan. 27 as the Office of Academic Insight recognized several programs and faculty during the annual Provost Academic Improvement & Excellence Awards.

February 26, 2026

A group of Master’s Non-Thesis Pre-Professional Program students stand together outside Funchess Hall at Auburn University.

Inside Auburn’s Master’s Non-Thesis (MSNT) Pre-Professional Program, students complete 30 hours of graduate-level science coursework tailored to their career goals while gaining early exposure to professional-level expectations DBS MSNT. For students like Maddie Edwards, the program blends academic rigor, communication training and mentorship to build confidence before entering veterinary, medical or other health professions programs.

February 25, 2026

Libby Hume is pictured indoors, smiling and holding an award.

When Libby Hume steps into her French classroom at Auburn High School, she brings with her not only a deep love of language but also the kind of early career excellence that is now being recognized statewide.

February 20, 2026

Samford hall

Auburn University’s Board of Trustees convened Feb. 13, 2026, at Auburn University at Montgomery, moving forward several core priorities designed to elevate the student experience, expand academic opportunities and advance the university’s land-grant mission.

February 17, 2026

two people sit at a wooden desk chatting. One is a professor type with a blue sweater on and the other is a student with blonde hair and a backpack. They are sitting in an office with office decor.

Auburn University is strengthening its reputation for success in National Prestigious Scholarships with renewed momentum to help more students discover and pursue these transformative opportunities.

February 17, 2026

three men talking on a podcast set

When COVID-19 shut down Auburn’s campus in 2020, Brooks Fuller didn’t just pack up—he packed for thousands. Discover how this Auburn baseball alum and finance major turned a crisis into a booming college moving business, inspiring a new generation of entrepreneurs.

February 16, 2026

The largest student-run makerspace in the country is getting even larger. The Samuel Ginn College of Engineering will begin construction this spring on a laboratory designed to foster interdisciplinary collaboration, creativity and industry-relevant research in advanced manufacturing while also expanding the Design and Innovation Center, commonly known as the makerspace.

February 13, 2026

EEE attendee standing with microphone asking question among other attendees in audience with poster presentations in background

More than 250 faculty and staff recently gathered for the 2026 Elevated Education Exchange, a campus professional development event focused on sharing innovative practices, strengthening collaboration and advancing student success across campus.

February 13, 2026

Ethan Page, a recent graduate in mechanical engineering, and Joseph Rusk, a junior in electrical and computer engineering, are among 11 remaining teams in the annual student business pitch competition.

February 13, 2026

Group of students surround a lab bench

Developing expertise through experience, Harrison College of Pharmacy students Haley Davis and Autumn Edwards recently completed Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experiences in Thailand.

February 12, 2026

Joseph Haslag

Joseph Haslag, the new department head for the Department of Economics, joined the College of Liberal Arts this year to drive the value of and demand for Auburn Economics degrees.

February 12, 2026

Jessica Sparks smiles for a photo

Assistant Professor Jessica Sparks is one of 150 journalism leaders from colleges across the country who will be part of the class of the 2026 class of Faculty Champions at the University of Vermont's Center for Community News.

February 11, 2026

tudent stands smiling in front of a scientific research poster displayed at an academic conference venue.

From spaceflight safety to vaccine development, one COSAM student’s undergraduate research experience shows how hands-on discovery can shape a scientific career. Through early lab involvement, mentorship and persistence, research became a defining part of Ashley DeSilva's path at Auburn.

February 09, 2026

Auburn University leaders, College of Human Sciences Dean Susan Hubbard and the Thorne sisters turn the first scoops of dirt at the groundbreaking ceremony.

Amidst an overwhelming sense of pride, the celebration of a milestone several years in the making took place at a groundbreaking ceremony on Thursday, Feb. 5.

February 09, 2026

Skyler stands in a hallway

Nurse practitioner Skylar Couch is developing three psychiatric health education options for College of Nursing graduate students.

February 06, 2026

photo of john murray wearing a black suit and tie stands in front of a blue NATO-themed backdrop with multiple NATO logos. They are wearing an event badge clipped to their jacket.

John Murray is participating in the Humanities at Hertog Fellowship, a highly competitive program that brings together students from around the world to explore classic and contemporary texts.

February 03, 2026

Li Zhou teaching in Parker Hall, home to the Department of Mathematics and Statistics

Doctoral candidate Li Zhou has been named one of only six recipients nationwide of the 2026 K. Patricia Cross Future Leaders Award, a top honor recognizing emerging leaders in higher education.

February 02, 2026

Apparel Merchandising senior Gracie Silverthorn shows off part of her portfolio.

Apparel Merchandising senior Gracie Silverthorn is the first apparel student from Auburn to secure an internship with Giorgio Armani, one of the most competitive internship placements in the industry.

February 02, 2026

American flag that reads 250 America Auburn University

The 66th Secretary of State, Sec. Condoleezza Rice, and commentator and author Margaret Hoover to join Auburn University’s 250th Commemoration.

February 02, 2026

Man standing in office

Alumnus Raymond Harbert, a 1982 business graduate, is one of four distinguished Alabama business people who will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award from Business Alabama magazine.

January 28, 2026

Student Ambassador Kiersten Wilson poses for a photo with Jill Salisbury-Glennon inside a podcast room.

As college students across the country grapple with growing academic pressure, Professor Jill Salisbury-Glennon says success often comes down to one frequently overlooked skill: learning how to learn.

January 28, 2026

Emily McCoy headshot

Following an internal search, Dr. Emily McCoy, associate clinical professor in the Department of Pharmacy Practice, has been named Assistant Dean of the Harrison College of Pharmacy’s Mobile Campus.

January 27, 2026

an aerial photo of Samford Hall at dusk

Auburn University has again earned national recognition for academic excellence, securing several top rankings across its graduate online business, education, engineering and nursing programs in the 2026 U.S. News & World Report Best Online Programs rankings.

January 27, 2026

Biomedical sciences sophomore John Walker stands outdoors on Auburn University’s campus near a small red footbridge, wearing a white button-down shirt and smiling toward the camera.

Biomedical sciences sophomore John Walker is gaining hands-on research experience through cross-disciplinary work in Auburn’s Neurobehavioral Dynamics Lab.

January 26, 2026

Jessica McGrath standing beside an Auburn airplane

The School of Aviation is redefining what it means to SOAR, and it all starts with safety on the ground.

January 26, 2026

Taimoor Hassan

Taimoor Hassan, a second-year graduate student in the Department of Computer Science and Software Engineering, developed Qalb, the world’s largest Large Language Model exclusively for the Urdu language, which generates fluent, natural and instruction-following responses.

January 26, 2026

Four women students

Harbert students with an interest in pursuing careers in the retail industry recently participated in that sector’s largest signature event in New York City, the NRF Foundation Student Program.

January 23, 2026

hoto of title wall of Radical Naturalism: Lyric Birdscapes. Walls are an emerald green with light gold text and surrounding leaf graphic elements and white trim.

The Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art at Auburn University presents a new, cross-disciplinary project that brings together Audubon’s prints in the university’s art collection and the written word in “Radical Naturalism: Lyric Birdscapes.” Curated by the museum’s poet-in-residence, Nicole Sealey, the exhibition features prints and poems, from Auburn University students in the Department of English to John Keats' "Ode to a Nightingale," asking visitors to consider and explore how different art forms contend with the natural world and create or extend narratives around human relationships with nature.

January 22, 2026

Veterinary Technicians Chloe Cook and Kellye Berkley work with a dog prior to surgery.

The Auburn College of Veterinary Medicine is shaping future veterinarians while tackling a nationwide shortage of licensed veterinary technicians, the nursing professionals of animal care.

January 20, 2026

Photo of designers sitting at workstations with large-scale 3D printers

Since the summer of 2018, play and recreation equipment manufacturer PlayCore has hosted at least one Auburn industrial design student each year for its summer internship program.

January 15, 2026

student in pond collecting mussels

By joining forces with colleges across campus, Auburn’s Office of Undergraduate Research champions more than 100 competitive fellowships annually—creating pathways for students to explore new ideas, experiment with purpose and excel at the highest level.

January 15, 2026

Richard Cristan poses for a headshot photo in front of a green, foliar background

Richard Cristan, an associate professor of forest operations in the College of Forestry, Wildlife and Environment, has been awarded the Regions Bank Endowed Professorship in Forest Operations.

January 14, 2026

A mathematics professor leans toward a student to review work during a large lecture, while other students take notes in tiered seating behind them.

Auburn mathematics professor Hal Schenck has been named a lifetime member of Clare Hall at the University of Cambridge, recognizing his continued scholarly engagement with the college. The honor strengthens international research connections and creates new opportunities for Auburn students to engage with global academic communities.

January 13, 2026

Three colleges unite to advance mass timber construction, a faster, cheaper and more sustainable way to build houses and buildings.

January 08, 2026

Adam Maggard poses for a headshot photo against a lush, green background

new associate dean of academic affairs will begin serving the Auburn University College of Forestry, Wildlife and Environment (CFWE) in 2026. Adam Maggard, the current CFWE Harry E. Murphy Endowed Associate Professor and Alabama Extension specialist, was selected by the college.

January 05, 2026

Kimberly Braxton Lloyd and Jeanna Sewell stand together.

Two Auburn Pharmacy faculty members have been inducted as Distinguished Fellows in the National Academies of Practice.

December 18, 2025

Auburn students and faculty standing together smiling in a lab.

Auburn students and faculty are forging connections beyond campus through partnerships with the U.S. Department of Energy’s 17 national laboratories.

December 17, 2025