UNC Wilmington Campus Master Plan

A resilient campus plan for UNC Wilmington strengthens connections between people, place, and coastal landscape, defining a bold university identity.

UNC Wilmington’s 2024 Campus Master Plan evolves as a living framework: flexible and grounded in the university’s ambitions as a global leader in sustainable coastal living. The plan translates the “Soar Higher” strategic plan and guiding principles into spatial experiences that connect people with place and the daily rhythm of campus.

Overlapping districts across campus encourage movement and connection between academic, residential, and natural environments. Gateways at the northern and southern edges establish a clear sense of arrival. To the north, the new Welcome Center and expanded Kenan Auditorium form a vibrant cultural and academic anchor; to the south, a hotel and conference center extends hospitality and supports campus events.

The thoughtful densification of the academic core along Chancellor’s Walk and the Campus Commons integrates new buildings alongside existing facilities, supporting growth while preserving a cohesive, pedestrian-oriented environment. Between these academic spaces, outdoor gathering areas, shaded seating, coastal-inspired art, and integrated educational features establish a network of social and contemplative places. Landscape interventions and visible stormwater management strategies reinforce the campus’s ecological resilience.

South of Chancellor’s Walk, the student life corridor links residential communities with key support services, anchored by the Academic Support Center and the proposed Seahawk Support Quad. Enhanced paths and new entry points to Bluethenthal Wildflower Preserve invite movement into this central natural asset, supporting educational activities and deepening ecological exploration.