UofSC Aiken Named College of Distinction in Eight Categories
Aiken, SC (06/02/2020) — The University of South Carolina Aiken has once again been recognized for its longstanding commitment to student success and engaged, experiential educational experiences by Colleges of Distinction, which is celebrating its 20-year anniversary as a one-of-a-kind guide for college-bound students.
UofSC Aiken received several notable recognitions from Colleges of Distinction this year. Specifically, the university earned eight honors: College of Distinction, College of Distinction in South Carolina, Public College of Distinction and for its business, education, nursing, career development and military support programs.
"We are extremely proud of these accolades. They reflect our faculty's deeply held commitment to addressing our students' diverse learning styles and their overall student-centered approach," Dr. Sandra Jordan, chancellor.
"Our small class sizes allow our accomplished faculty to provide engaging and dynamic learning experiences in and out of the classroom. Additionally, our partnerships with industry leaders reinforce and solidify learning for our students."
Founder Wes Creel's Colleges of Distinction recognizes institutions, like UofSC Aiken, whose student-centered education prevails in applying theory to practice while fostering a dynamic learning community.
During the last 20 years, Colleges of Distinction's selection process has been based on in-depth research and detailed interviews about the institution's freshman experience and retention efforts alongside its general education programs, career development, strategic plan, student satisfaction, and other criteria. Only those institutions which adhere to four distinctions: engaged students, great teaching, vibrant community, and successful outcomes earn this recognition. Overlaid in the last few years has been a look into high-impact practices. This approach reinforces traditional methods of instruction and includes hands-on, experiential learning opportunities. Research shows that these methods facilitate active learning, according to the National Survey of Student Engagement.
"High-impact practices are a structured and systemic set of educational experiences that promote deep student learning and purposeful engagement," said Dr. Tim Lintner, assistant vice chancellor for academic affairs and director of the USC Aiken Center for Teaching Excellence.
"They allow students to experience a multitude of intellectual avenues that hone critical-thinking, facilitate inquiry and action, and engage students both inside and outside of the classroom. They are rooted in inquiry and structured as to allow students to experience multiple means of understanding.
"High-impact practices let students dive deeply into their own constructed understanding of the topics they are studying."
Lintner adds that every department on campus incorporates this approach into the curriculum.
"The number and variety of these experiences provided to USC Aiken students is a testament to the innovative spirit of the faculty who firmly believe that high-impact practices are the cornerstone to a sound liberal arts and sciences education."
This model prioritizes the opportunities institutions have for students that make for a fulfilling, individualized college experience, according to Colleges of Distinction. UofSC Aiken's selection in eight categories is informed by the unique ways it commits to achieving success.
Creel and his colleagues believe that most critical to the student experience are the kinds of engaging experiences that are found at UofSC Aiken: first-year seminars, community-based learning programs, service-learning programs, alternative spring breaks, diversity and global learning programs, intensive language programs, intensive writing courses, interdisciplinary programs, collaborative assignments and projects, undergraduate research, living-learning communities, common intellectual experiences, capstone projects, study abroad programs and internships.
"It's inspiring to see UofSC Aiken commit to the learning styles and community involvement that will best allow their students to thrive," Creel said.
About Colleges of Distinction
Since 2000, Colleges of Distinction has been committed to honoring schools throughout the United States for true excellence in higher education. The member schools within the Colleges of Distinction consortium distinguish themselves through their dedicated focus on the undergraduate experience. Its website provides dynamic college profiles, customized tools, and resources for students, parents, and high school counselors.
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The University of South Carolina Aiken has once again been recognized for its longstanding commitment to student success and engaged, experiential educational experiences by Colleges of Distinction, which is celebrating its 20-year anniversary as a one-of-a-kind guide for college-bound students. UofSC Aiken received several notable recognitions from Colleges of Distinction this year. Specifically, the university earned eight honors: College of Distinction, College of Distinction in South Carolina, Public College of Distinction and for its business, education, nursing, career development and military support programs.
The University of South Carolina Aiken has once again been recognized for its longstanding commitment to student success and engaged, experiential educational experiences by Colleges of Distinction, which is celebrating its 20-year anniversary as a one-of-a-kind guide for college-bound students. UofSC Aiken received several notable recognitions from Colleges of Distinction this year. Specifically, the university earned eight honors: College of Distinction, College of Distinction in South Carolina, Public College of Distinction and for its business, education, nursing, career development and military support programs.
The University of South Carolina Aiken has once again been recognized for its longstanding commitment to student success and engaged, experiential educational experiences by Colleges of Distinction, which is celebrating its 20-year anniversary as a one-of-a-kind guide for college-bound students. UofSC Aiken received several notable recognitions from Colleges of Distinction this year. Specifically, the university earned eight honors: College of Distinction, College of Distinction in South Carolina, Public College of Distinction and for its business, education, nursing, career development and military support programs.
The University of South Carolina Aiken has once again been recognized for its longstanding commitment to student success and engaged, experiential educational experiences by Colleges of Distinction, which is celebrating its 20-year anniversary as a one-of-a-kind guide for college-bound students. UofSC Aiken received several notable recognitions from Colleges of Distinction this year. Specifically, the university earned eight honors: College of Distinction, College of Distinction in South Carolina, Public College of Distinction and for its business, education, nursing, career development and military support programs.
The University of South Carolina Aiken has once again been recognized for its longstanding commitment to student success and engaged, experiential educational experiences by Colleges of Distinction, which is celebrating its 20-year anniversary as a one-of-a-kind guide for college-bound students. UofSC Aiken received several notable recognitions from Colleges of Distinction this year. Specifically, the university earned eight honors: College of Distinction, College of Distinction in South Carolina, Public College of Distinction and for its business, education, nursing, career development and military support programs.
The University of South Carolina Aiken has once again been recognized for its longstanding commitment to student success and engaged, experiential educational experiences by Colleges of Distinction, which is celebrating its 20-year anniversary as a one-of-a-kind guide for college-bound students. UofSC Aiken received several notable recognitions from Colleges of Distinction this year. Specifically, the university earned eight honors: College of Distinction, College of Distinction in South Carolina, Public College of Distinction and for its business, education, nursing, career development and military support programs.
The University of South Carolina Aiken has once again been recognized for its longstanding commitment to student success and engaged, experiential educational experiences by Colleges of Distinction, which is celebrating its 20-year anniversary as a one-of-a-kind guide for college-bound students. UofSC Aiken received several notable recognitions from Colleges of Distinction this year. Specifically, the university earned eight honors: College of Distinction, College of Distinction in South Carolina, Public College of Distinction and for its business, education, nursing, career development and military support programs.
The University of South Carolina Aiken has once again been recognized for its longstanding commitment to student success and engaged, experiential educational experiences by Colleges of Distinction, which is celebrating its 20-year anniversary as a one-of-a-kind guide for college-bound students. UofSC Aiken received several notable recognitions from Colleges of Distinction this year. Specifically, the university earned eight honors: College of Distinction, College of Distinction in South Carolina, Public College of Distinction and for its business, education, nursing, career development and military support programs.