The Policy Center on the First Year of College, a project funded by the Atlantic Philanthropies and the Pew Charitable Trusts, has named Elon University one of 54 semi-finalists in its national study to identify institutions of excellence. Elon is one of only 11 schools chosen in the 2,000 – 5,000 enrollment category.
Colleges and universities across the nation submitted nominations for this recognition. The Policy Center’s mission is to improve the first college year through enhanced learning outcomes and the success of first-year students. Twelve institutions of excellence will be selected in early August, and the results of the study, highlighting best practices, will be published as a book, “Institutions of Excellence in the First College Year.”
The Policy Center’s work is an extension of the work of John N. Gardner and his colleagues at the University of South Carolina’s National Resource Center for the First-Year Experience and Students in Transition.
The criteria for the selection process include evidence of a comprehensive approach to the first year with a broad impact on significant numbers of students, strong administrative support for first-year initiatives and durability over time, involvement of a wide range of faculty, student affairs professionals and others, and evidence of assessment of the various initiatives.
In addition to Elon, other semifinalists in the 2,000 – 5,000 category include the following: DePauw University, Drury University, Muhlenberg College, Purchase College – State University of New York, Saint Francis University, St. John Fisher College, United States Military Academy, University of Portland, Wagner College and Western Maryland College.