Stonehill named a 2022-2023 College of Distinction
The College is recognized for excelling in the areas of student engagement, teaching, community and successful outcomes.
Stonehill College has been recognized for its commitment to helping undergraduate students learn, grow and succeed by Colleges of Distinction, a trusted resource for more than 5 million students, parents and guidance counselors.
Stonehill has been named a 2022-2023 College of Distinction, Massachusetts College of Distinction and Catholic College of Distinction.
Colleges of Distinction built its assessment model on the belief that a thorough selection process requires more than an overview of institutional data and statistics and the size of the endowment. Instead, the organization’s selection process comprises a sequence of in-depth research and detailed interviews with the schools, accepting only those that excel in four specific ways:
Stonehill students have the opportunity to take an active part in their own learning through opportunities such as the Stonehill Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE) and Integrating Democratic Education at Stonehill (IDEAS), the latter of which allows students to deepen their learning through the creation of student-led courses.
Students here have meaningful interactions with faculty in the classroom (where there is an 11:1 student-faculty ratio), through research projects and through programs such as Think. Act. Lead., in which students build mentoring relationships with specific faculty based on the individual students’ life goals.
Creating connections among peers outside the classroom is an important part of a well-rounded college experience. Stonehill offers numerous clubs and organizations, NCAA Division 1 and recreational sports, and local and global service opportunities to help students find a sense of belonging and meaning throughout their campus experience.
The undergraduate experience prepares students not only for graduation but for life after graduation. Many of the programs and opportunities that prepare students for life after graduation are housed in the Navigation Center for Student Success, which provides advising and programs designed to help students launch into careers and graduate schools that allow them to fully leverage their Stonehill experience.
At Stonehill, these principles are all informed by the high-impact practices that enable students to have a fulfilling, individualized college experience both inside and outside the classroom.
“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.”
Stonehill’s inclusion is informed by the unique ways it commits to achieving success. The effective strategies for student satisfaction and outcomes are the kinds of engaging experiences found here.