As AdventHealth University (AHU) approaches its 35th anniversary, we remain committed to rigorous healthcare education, student achievement, responsible stewardship, and service to the communities we are privileged to serve.  Our Board of Trustees, faculty, and staff recognize the importance of transparency and accountability regarding how AHU fulfills its educational mission and prepares students for meaningful careers in healthcare.

On August 3, 2026, U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon issued a National Call to Action to university presidents and governing boards, asking institutions of higher education to publicly address key issues affecting public confidence in higher education.  Florida Commissioner of Education Dr. Henry Mack subsequently called upon Florida's independent colleges and universities to respond to that request.

AHU occupies a distinctive place in higher education.  As a faith-based university focused primarily on healthcare education, our mission brings together academic excellence, clinical preparation, service, and the development of healthcare professionals equipped to meet the needs of patients and communities.

The following describes AHU's commitments in response to the National Call to Action.

Transparency and Merit in Admissions

AHU is committed to admissions practices that are transparent, merit-based, consistent with applicable law, and aligned with the educational requirements of each academic program.

Our accredited clinical and professional programs require students to demonstrate the academic preparation, qualifications, and readiness necessary to succeed in rigorous healthcare education.  Program-specific admissions requirements, selection criteria, prerequisites, and application information are published through AHU's academic catalog and university website so prospective students can understand the standards applicable to admission.

AHU does not use unlawful preferences in admissions.  Admissions decisions are made in accordance with published program requirements, applicable law, accreditation standards, and the University's educational mission.

Free Inquiry, Viewpoint Diversity, and Protection of Campus Operations

AHU supports free inquiry, respectful dialogue, and meaningful engagement with differing ideas and perspectives.  Our educational mission requires students to develop the ability to listen, think critically, communicate effectively, and engage respectfully with individuals whose experiences, beliefs, and viewpoints may differ from their own.

These qualities are especially important in healthcare, where professionals are entrusted with caring for individuals from diverse backgrounds, often during periods of significant vulnerability.

AHU's student handbook and institutional policies establish expectations for respectful conduct while prohibiting harassment, threats, disruption, and conduct that materially interferes with teaching, learning, clinical preparation, or other essential University operations.  We are committed to maintaining an environment in which ideas may be examined and debated while students, faculty, and team members can safely fulfill the University's academic mission.

Intellectual Pluralism, Curriculum, and Faculty

Healthcare professionals must be capable of evaluating evidence, exercising independent judgment, and engaging constructively with a wide range of perspectives.  AHU therefore seeks to foster intellectual openness throughout its academic programs.

AHU's Whole Person Education framework is designed to develop competencies that include critical and analytical thinking, communication, emotional intelligence, ethical decision-making, compassionate service, and professional judgment.  Students are challenged to examine ideas thoughtfully while developing the knowledge, skills, resilience, and sense of purpose necessary for service in healthcare.

AHU seeks faculty who support academic excellence, professional competence, intellectual curiosity, and respectful consideration of differing viewpoints.  Faculty hiring, evaluation, curriculum development, and academic programming are intended to advance knowledge and prepare students to meet the professional standards of their chosen fields.

Affordability, Cost Discipline, Pricing Transparency, and Student Outcomes

AHU believes the value of higher education should be measured not simply by access to a degree, but by whether students receive a high-quality education that prepares them for meaningful employment and enables them to manage the financial investment associated with their education.

The University is committed to responsible stewardship of its resources and to evaluating tuition, program costs, financial aid, and operational expenses with affordability and student value in mind.  Prospective students are provided information regarding tuition, program costs, financial assistance, and other relevant expenses so they can make informed decisions about their education.

More than 75% of AHU students receive federal financial aid or other financial support. AHU's tuition remains competitive among private institutions in Florida. 

AHU also evaluates measurable student outcomes. Current institutional data reflect:

  • 100% of clinical graduates secure meaningful employment within one year of graduation. 
  • The average first-year salary of an AHU undergraduate is $72,684.
  • Additional information regarding graduate earnings by degree level is available through the Florida Education and Training Placement Information Program (FETPIP).

These outcomes help AHU evaluate whether its programs are preparing students for successful entry into the workforce and providing value commensurate with the cost of their education.

Academic Rigor, Honest Assessment, and Artificial Intelligence

AHU is committed to rigorous teaching, meaningful assessment, and demonstrated student competency.

AHU maintains a 6:1 student-to-faculty ratio, supporting individualized instruction, mentorship, and academic accountability.  The University maintains institutional accreditation through the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), and many of its professional programs are also subject to specialized accreditation requirements.  These standards reinforce expectations regarding curriculum, faculty qualifications, student achievement, clinical competency, and educational quality.

AHU rejects grade inflation and other practices that obscure whether students have mastered the knowledge and competencies required by their academic programs and professions.

The emergence of artificial intelligence creates both educational opportunities and new responsibilities.  Students are expected to complete academic work honestly, comply with course and program requirements governing AI use, appropriately attribute work and sources, and demonstrate their own knowledge and abilities.  Faculty are expected to employ assessment methods that meaningfully evaluate authentic understanding, critical thinking, professional judgment, and clinical competency.

AHU will continue evaluating its academic integrity and assessment practices as artificial intelligence technologies evolve.

Research Integrity and Protection from Malign Foreign Influence

AHU is primarily a teaching- and workforce-focused university.  Where research and innovation are part of its academic or clinical mission, AHU is committed to conducting those activities responsibly and in accordance with applicable law, ethical standards, grant requirements, accreditation expectations, and institutional safeguards.

The University is committed to protecting the integrity of its academic and research activities from improper or malign foreign influence and to complying with applicable requirements concerning research funding, conflicts of interest, data protection, privacy, cybersecurity, and institutional security.

AHU's research and innovation activities should advance knowledge, support healthcare improvement, and serve legitimate educational, scientific, and public purposes.

American Students, National Interests, and Workforce Needs

AHU's educational mission is closely connected to the healthcare workforce needs of Florida and the United States.

The University prioritizes preparing students to enter healthcare professions in which communities face significant and evolving workforce needs.  AHU regularly evaluates opportunities for new or expanded academic programs in collaboration with healthcare and community stakeholders, including AdventHealth, to help ensure that its educational offerings respond to changing patient-care and workforce demands.

AHU graduates serve patients and communities in Florida, Colorado, and throughout the nation.  More than 80% of AHU graduates pursue employment opportunities within AdventHealth, directly supporting the healthcare workforce in communities served by the system.

AHU is committed to providing educational opportunities that prepare American students for meaningful employment, strengthen the domestic healthcare workforce, and contribute to the health and economic vitality of the communities we serve.

Our Commitment

Faith-based and rooted in Whole-Person Education, AdventHealth University welcomes appropriate accountability for the outcomes of its educational mission.

Our responsibility is to provide students with an education characterized by academic rigor, clinical excellence, intellectual openness, ethical formation, responsible stewardship, and preparation for meaningful service.  We will continue evaluating our performance, communicating transparently about our outcomes, and strengthening our programs as the needs of students, healthcare employers, and communities evolve.

AHU is pleased to make this statement publicly available as part of our continuing commitment to the students, families, employers, patients, and communities who place their trust in our University.