09/25/2009 08:57:00 AMExpert rankings in U.S. News & World Report have placed UNT ninth among public National Universities to watch for its innovative progress. Cover Storiesstory Expert rankings in U.S. News & World Report America's Best Colleges 2010 guide put UNT among the top national universities that are “leading the pack” in innovative changes in academics, faculty, students, campus life, diversity and facilities. Peer assessments propelled UNT into U.S. News & World Report's article, “Keep an Eye on These Schools,” which says UNT is among the schools making “the most promising and innovative changes in academics, faculty, students, campus or facilities,” as recognized by the magazine’s panel of experts. UNT committed to invest $25 million in collaborative research clusters last year, and its enrollment management program earned a Texas Higher Education Star Award for achieving goals in the state’s Closing the Gaps program. The university ranks first in Texas for the increased number of degrees awarded.