Adrian College recognized as College of Distinction for 10th consecutive year
Posted Thursday, June 16, 2022
Adrian College was recently recognized for its honorable commitment to helping undergraduate students learn, grow, and succeed by Colleges of Distinction, a unique guide for college-bound students. Adrian College has been named a national 2022-2023 College of Distinction, and a Michigan College of Distinction. This is the 10th consecutive year Adrian College has been recognized by the organization.
Aside from overall undergraduate recognitions, Colleges of Distinction also awards recognition in individual areas, and Adrian College earned additional honors in the area of Business. Colleges of Distinction advocate for schools whose undergraduate experiences are grounded in a philosophy of well-rounded, individualized engagement. Among these institutions, Adrian College excels at graduating students into the workforce with solid, well-developed critical thinking skills as well as the ability to adapt in an ever-changing society.
“Adrian’s designation as a College of Distinction is richly rewarding,” Adrian College Vice President for Enrollment and Student Affairs, Frank Hribar, said. “Clearly, it recognizes the depth of the college’s programming and reaffirms a consistent commitment to student engagement. We understand that this engagement is vital to our students’ success in the attainment of their degrees. This recognition demonstrates our commitment to assuring that each of our students ultimately achieves their personal, academic and professional goals.”
Colleges of Distinction note that a thorough selection process requires more than an overview of institutional data, statistics, and size of endowment. Instead, the Colleges of Distinction selection process comprises a sequence of in-depth research and detailed interviews with the schools, accepting only those that adhere to the Four Distinctions: Engaged Students, Great Teaching, Vibrant Community, and Successful Outcomes. These principles are all informed by the High-Impact Practices to prioritize the ways that institutions enable students to have a fulfilling, individualized college experience both inside and outside of the classroom. To earn the recognition, Adrian College demonstrated the following programs and experiences:
• Engaged Students — Students at Adrian College have the opportunity to take an active part in their own learning through common intellectual experiences, undergraduate research and diversity and global learning.
• Great Teaching — Students at Adrian College have meaningful interactions with faculty in first-year experiences, writing-intensive courses, and collaborative assignments and projects.
• Vibrant Community — Creating connections with peers outside of the classroom is an important part of a well-rounded college experience. Adrian College offers service/community-based learning, to help students find a sense of belonging and meaning throughout their campus experience.
• Successful Outcomes — The undergraduate experience works cohesively to prepare students not only for graduation, but for life after graduation. Some of these experiences at Adrian College include internships, and capstone courses and projects.
“When we focus all of our attention on how schools stack up against one another, we lose track of what really matters: the students themselves,” said Wes Creel, Founder of Colleges of Distinction. “Every student has individual needs and their own environment in which they’re most likely to thrive. We want to extend our praise to the schools that prioritize and cater to students’ goals.” Creel added that Adrian College’s inclusion is informed by the unique ways it commits to achieving success. He said the effective strategies for student satisfaction and outcomes were the kinds of engaging experiences found at Adrian College.
Creel continued, “We’re inspired by the ways in which Adrian College immerses students in their fields, all while fostering a welcoming community that will support them through and beyond their college years.”
