UWF Athletics announces move to NCAA Division I athletics, joins Atlantic Sun Conference, United Athletic Conference

The University of West Florida announced in a press conference today that it will be transitioning its athletics programs to the NCAA Division I level. Beginning in Fall 2026, UWF will compete in the Atlantic Sun Conference as a full multi-sport member and the United Athletic Conference as a football-playing member. 

UWF breaks ground on Darrell Gooden Stadium

The University of West Florida reached a historic milestone on Feb. 11, 2026, officially breaking ground on the Darrell Gooden Stadium, a multi-use football and events facility that represents UWF’s growth and a significant investment in the community.

UWF Haas Center awarded $400K NSF EPIIC Grant

The University of West Florida’s Haas Center has been awarded a $400,000 Enabling Partnerships to Increase Innovation Capacity, or EPIIC, grant from the National Science Foundation. The three-year grant will support the creation of a new Office of Industrial Innovation, which will serve as a front door to connect UWF faculty experts with regional industry needs, making it easier for businesses to access the University’s research capabilities and talent.

UWF Haas Center research fuels new campaign showcasing Northwest Florida’s military talent

The University of West Florida Haas Center has provided critical research driving a new regional campaign, “Military Talent: Mission-Ready Veterans, Business-Ready Results,” launched by Florida’s Great Northwest. The initiative highlights the extraordinary value of Northwest Florida’s military community — particularly transitioning service members and veterans — who offer mission-ready skills and business-ready results to employers.

UWF awarded $2 Million TDC grant toward Darrell Gooden Stadium

The University of West Florida has been awarded a $2 million grant from the Tourist Development Council through the Tourist Development Tax program to support the construction of the future Darrell Gooden Stadium, pending approval from the Escambia County Board of County Commissioners. This grant represents a significant milestone in the University's plan to build a transformative facility that will benefit both the UWF campus and the greater Escambia County community.

UWF Sea3D Lab collaborates with The Mariners’ Museum and Park and NOAA to put pieces of history in public’s hands

The University of West Florida’s Sea3D Lab recently partnered with The Mariners’ Museum and Park, the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration and Monitor National Marine Sanctuary to create artifact replicas recovered from the shipwreck of the USS Monitor. The USS Monitor, the U.S. Navy’s first ironclad vessel built for the American Civil War, fought during the Battle of Hampton Roads on March 8-9, 1862. It sank in a storm off Cape Hatteras, North Carolina nine months later. NOAA and the U.S. Navy recovered hundreds of artifacts from the ship, including the anchor, propulsion engines, gun turret and cannons.

UWF Haas Center to earn University Center designation by US Economic Development Administration

The University of West Florida Haas Center has been awarded a five-year, $548,000 grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration to promote business development and employment among Florida veterans and minority business owners.

UWF Haas Center to host national conference

The University of West Florida Haas Center will host researchers from across the nation at the 75th annual Association for University Business and Economic Research Fall Conference: Economic Resiliency from Coast to Coast, at the Hilton Pensacola Beach, Oct. 15 - 18, 2022.

UWF Haas Center, Achieve Healthy EscaRosa and Achieve Escambia launch online dashboard

The Haas Center at the University of West Florida has developed an online dashboard that provides easy, quick and simple navigation related to key indicators of community success, including health and social wellbeing, education, quality of place, economic vitality, as well as workforce and demographics.

UWF faculty member combines innovation and sustainability with 3D-printed materials recycling project

The University of West Florida Department of Mechanical Engineering is partnering with the UWF Haas Center Sea3D Additive Manufacturing Lab to give students hands-on experience in additive manufacturing, with an element of sustainability.

Haas Center develops online dashboard with economic indicators in Escambia and surrounding counties

The Haas Center at the University of West Florida has developed an online market indicators dashboard that provides easy, quick and simple navigation for a look at county-by-county statistics. The dashboard includes tabs for tourism rates, real estate transactions, employment/unemployment rates and sales and tax collections in Northwest Florida and South Alabama counties.

Haas Center releases survey results on statewide economic impact of COVID-19

An economic impacts study by the Haas Center at the University of West Florida reveals an overwhelming percentage of Florida residents have postponed travel plans and reduced spending during the COVID-19 global pandemic.

UWF manufacturing, distributing 3D-printed face shields for healthcare workers

As a shortage of full face shields for healthcare workers grips the nation in the battle against COVID-19, the University of West Florida responded by asking one of the University’s direct support organizations to manufacture, manage and distribute 3D-printed full face shield supplies at its Sea3D Additive Manufacturing Laboratory in downtown Pensacola. The full face shields will be free of charge and distribution is set to begin on Tuesday, April 7, 2020.

Haas Center at UWF to conduct coronavirus-related survey

The Haas Center at the University of West Florida is conducting a study of the economic impacts of COVID-19. The survey can be accessed at uwf.edu/coronavirussurvey through April 6, and is available in English and Spanish.

UWF football generates $9.7 million in economic impact

An economic impact analysis completed by the Haas Center at the University of West Florida shows the 2018 football season generated an estimated $9.7 million in sales in Escambia County.

UWF Haas Center finalizes sale of teacher evaluation software to Santa Rosa County schools

The University of West Florida Haas Center has finalized the sale of Professional Educators Assessment and Results System, an electronic teacher evaluation system, to the Santa Rosa County School District for $125,000.

UWF combines units, expands Haas Center

The University of West Florida announces the expansion of the UWF Haas Center in its mission to support communities with market research, workforce development and industrial innovation. The Office of Workforce and Industrial Innovation along with the Sea3D Additive Manufacturing Laboratory now operate as part of the Haas Center.

UWF Haas Center to host inaugural Fall Forum

Former Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Ridge, chairman of Ridge Global LLC and the first U.S. Department of Homeland Security secretary, will be the keynote speaker when the Haas Center at the University of West Florida holds its inaugural Fall Forum. Ridge will share his thoughts about organizational resiliency and the importance of managing cyber risks in today’s digitally connected global economy at the forum on Thursday, Sept. 26, at the Studer Community Institute Building, located at 220 W. Garden St. in downtown Pensacola.

UWF Haas Center to present veterans’ data storytelling event

The Haas Center at the University of West Florida will play host to “A View of the Veteran and Defense Workforce in Northwest Florida,” an event that will cover the role veterans and the defense industry play in the regional economy.

The Haas Center at UWF to present overview on roles women play in Pensacola-area workforce

UWF to provide expanded economic analysis to Santa Rosa County

The University of West Florida’s Office of Economic Development and Engagement has entered into an agreement to provide expanded economic data analysis for Santa Rosa County.

UWF Haas Center tracks economic impact of Hurricane Michael

The Haas Center at the University of West Florida has created an actively updating dashboard that will track the economic impact of Hurricane Michael in Bay and Gulf counties.

Survey: 63 percent of Santa Rosa residents want new courthouse

In a new column, Amy Newburn, assistant director of the Haas Center at the University of West Florida, discusses a recent Haas Center study that gauges Santa Rosa County residents’ sentiment regarding the county courthouse. Among the survey’s findings:

Haas Center Survey: 63% of Santa Rosa Residents Want New Courthouse

The Haas Center recently completed a survey of residents of Santa Rosa County regarding replacing the Milton courthouse. While a majority of respondents feel the county needs a new courthouse, they remain divided on the best location and the ideal way to pay for its construction.