DURHAM, N.H. — The University of New Hampshire is the No. 7 “Best Value” public university according to the 2024 U.S. News & World Report Best College rankings. UNH moved up two spots from last year and maintained its position as the No. 1 best value public college in New England. “In 2019, UNH committed to becoming a top-25 public university based on the data that best indicates student success. For us, this meant attention to on-time graduation rates, participation in high-impact learning experiences, and of course, providing access to quality public higher education by focusing on value,” said James W. Dean Jr., president of UNH. “By emphasizing data demonstrating student success and social mobility, this year’s US News & World Report rankings help students and families focus...

DURHAM, N.H.—The University of New Hampshire is third in the nation for free speech based on a new national report from the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) and College Pulse that ranked the free speech climate of 248 of America’s most prestigious colleges and universities. This 2024 report marks the second time in three years UNH has finished number three in the FIRE rankings. “Free speech is one of the most fundamental American constitutional rights,” said UNH President James W. Dean Jr. “As a public university, UNH protects and promotes this value by ensuring our students can be exposed to new and different ideas that will hopefully inspire growth and intellectual curiosity. This new report from FIRE validates the work we have done and will continue to do to...

DURHAM, N.H.—President James W. “Jim” Dean Jr. announced today that he will retire as president of the University of New Hampshire on June 30, 2024. At that time, Dean will have served six years as president of the state’s flagship public research university and more than two years as interim chancellor of the University System of New Hampshire. “Serving as president of this university has been a great honor and the highlight of my forty-year academic career,” said Dean. “Together we have strengthened UNH’s position as a leading public research university and helped to prepare thousands of people for successful lives and careers. UNH is positioned for a bright future. It is also poised for new leadership and the time is right for me to pass the baton.” During Dean’s tenure, UNH has...

DURHAM, N.H. — From discarded pieces of rockets to satellite fragments, there are tens of thousands of pieces of space junk, or debris, floating around in space causing hazardous conditions for future space missions. Researchers at the University of New Hampshire have been awarded close to $3 million from the National Science Foundation to explore ways to recycle and reuse that cosmic debris to create a sustainable in-space manufacturing (ISM) industry that looks at ways to reclaim discarded space materials, like metal, as well as incorporate natural elements, like rocks and sand, found on the moon. “The overarching goal of this project is to guide the development of a sustainable in-space industry that minimizes or reduces the impact of overusing our resources here on Earth,” said Weiwei...

DURHAM, N.H. — As the so-called ‘gig economy’ continues to grow, so do questions about how this type of non-traditional work compares to full time work arrangements and how these new relationships differ and impact performance and commitment. Researchers from the University of New Hampshire took a closer look at gig workers – which include freelancers, independent contractors and temporary workers – and examined relationships between workers and their managers and found that one trait, trust, could be a double-edged sword. “Millions of workers are now considered gig workers, offering them more flexibility with schedules, working remotely and short-term assignments,” said Rachel Campagna, associate professor of management at UNH’s Peter T. Paul College of Business and Economics. “Our...

DURHAM, N.H.  — The RIFC 50 Index gained 6.7% this quarter with broad contributions across most franchise sectors as 32 of the 50 components made positive gains. The Index has now soared 61.1% from its 2020 level when it was heavily hit because of the COVID-19 pandemic. “The 11.5% gain year-to-date confirms the strong recovery of the franchising business sector,” said E. Hachemi Aliouche, director of the Rosenberg International Franchise Center at UNH’s Peter T. Paul College of Business and Economics, and the developer of the RIFC 50 Index. The Aaron Company, a leader in the lease ownership business sector, had the best performance this quarter, jumping 45.8% in market value, driven by better than expected financial and operational results. On the other hand, fitness operator and...

DURHAM, N.H.—Researchers at the University of New Hampshire, along with other regional partners, have been monitoring the development of an expansive algal bloom that has formed in the Gulf of Maine—stretching more than a hundred miles from Massachusetts to Maine. The brown, coffee-colored bloom consists mostly of phytoplankton, or microalgae, that is not new to the waters off the coast of New England. However, the scientists all agree this is the first time it has been seen at such high concentrations at this time of the year in the Gulf of Maine. The bloom, or rapid growth of the algae, is predominately made up of dinoflagellate phytoplankton Tripos muelleri and has been found mostly in the water column under the surface. It first caught the attention of UNH scientists in April when...

DURHAM, N.H. — Thanks to a $4 million gift from Anthony DiLorenzo ’87, owner of Key Auto Group, the University of New Hampshire is one step closer to transforming and expanding the training and support facilities in UNH’s Whittemore Center as part of the UNH Hockey Renovation Project. The Whittemore Center, home of UNH Wildcat Hockey, and the Hamel Recreation Center will now join together as the newly formed Key Auto Group Complex—a multi-purpose center located on the Durham campus. DiLorenzo’s lead gift supplements $6 million in state funding included in the recently adopted state budget and brings the UNH Hockey Renovation Project closer to an eventual goal of $16 million toward improvements to the Whittemore Center at Key Auto Group Complex. This project is in addition to the nearly $...