At Alabama State University, we pursue excellence not to reach and stake our claim
but to redefine it, setting a new bar for ourselves and the world.
That means propelling — not chasing — innovation. Nurturing relationships that nourish
communities and open opportunities to Hornets, today and tomorrow. Empowering students
of all backgrounds to live the legacy our founders built nearly two centuries ago.
Influencing countless educators, leaders and changemakers, their unshakeable strength
now makes room for a boundless, powerful future. For the driven and the curious to
embrace their aspirations. For purposeful discoveries to unfold. And for our authentic,
infectious joy to unite us as it has for so many generations.
From our origins to our present, this is who we are.
In the aftermath of the Civil War, fearlessness drove nine freed slaves to open education and the promise it provided to African Americans. Today, our founders’ vision informs our expansion, our discoveries and all the ways we support you.
Alabama State University is guided by a clear Vision and Mission focused on academic excellence, research advancement and community impact. ASU is committed to developing students into global leaders through a transformative, student-centered education grounded in service, innovation and strategic partnerships.
Alabama State University will achieve global recognition through excellence in teaching, research and service. ASU will advance its current Carnegie Classification to a Doctoral/Professional University. ASU aspires to be a national leader in developing students through a transformational educational experience with global impact. As a community builder and partner, ASU will continue to have a measurable impact on society through innovative education and scholarly research.
Alabama State University is a student-centered public HBCU committed to excellence in teaching, research and service. ASU provides a holistic, transformative learning environment on campus and virtually that develops career-ready global change agents equipped to advance workforce excellence and drive economic development across Alabama and the nation. Through CommUniversity, philanthropy and strategic partnerships, ASU creates dynamic relationships that strengthen communities, grow regional economies and prepare graduates to lead in an ever-changing world.
Rooted in a proud legacy and driven by a vision for the future, Alabama State University is guided by values that shape our culture, our decisions, and our impact. These principles define our commitment to excellence, service, inclusion, and transformational leadership.
We are committed to sustaining ASU’s rich history as an epicenter of the Modern Day Civil Rights and social justice initiatives.
We are committed to honest and ethical standards, as we hold ourselves to transparent systems.
We are committed to building partnerships and collaborations that contribute to external community impact and the development of our students.
We are committed to fostering a cultural perspective that provides opportunity to faculty, staff and students from many backgrounds (including non-traditional, first-generation, high-achieving, lifelong learners and workforce-oriented students).
We are committed to building upon our proud traditions that will impact the lives of alumni and generations to come, with a promise to give back.
From our historic teacher education programs to our growing STEM, social work, business and creative offerings, Hornets prepare to engage and transform in small classes, campus labs and integrated field experiences.
Here, “better” equates to medical, agricultural and educational advances that support safer, healthier communities in Alabama and across the world.
From mentors and tutors to counseling, career preparation and financial literacy, we recognize that comprehensive, personalized guidance produces graduates with the agility and strength to tackle all types of challenges.
Everywhere you look, an intense, unshakable joy shapes our campus culture and the connections you share with a global alumni network.
Our deep commitment to our city more than draws crowds for the Turkey Day Classic — it grows our region’s economy and the opportunities available to K-12 students.
Upgrades and new facilities continue to show our investment in the overall Hornet experience. Online, our Global Campus allows anyone, anywhere, to rise with an accessible ASU education.
As mentors and innovators, our award-winning faculty get to know their students as they propose new policies, energy sources and preventive therapies.
We stress achievement on and off the field: Leading the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC), the majority of our student-athletes have 3.0+ GPAs and invest more than 1,500 volunteer hours in our community.
A walk through our picturesque campus and the vibrant city of Montgomery illustrates our proud past, including several influential connections to the Civil Rights Movement, and the ingenuity and strength that carry us forward.
As Hornets, we push boundaries until they become new records. We advocate for change until it’s achieved. We pursue creativity, not as the world expects, but on our terms.
From courtrooms to labs, boardrooms and the stage, our alumni extend our legacy across industries while inspiring current students to craft their own.
Greatness starts with a single step. Explore Alabama State University, schedule a visit, apply for admission, support our mission, or find new ways to engage with the Hive.
