Ottawa University (OU) has earned the prestigious designation as a national College of Distinction for 2021-22, the ninth consecutive year it has been honored as such. OU is one of six higher education institutions in the state of Kansas to meet the rigorous standards required to be named a Colleges of Distinction cohort school.
Colleges of Distinction’s longstanding support for student-centered schools highlight those that traditional rankings often overlook. Founder Wes Creel created Colleges of Distinction to draw more attention to schools like Ottawa University, whose student-centered education prevails in applying theory to practice, while fostering a dynamic learning community.
“Every student has their own unique set of abilities, their own goals, and their own ideal settings in which they would thrive,” said Creel. “That’s why we don’t rank our schools. It’s about finding the best opportunities for each individual’s needs and desires. Ottawa University’s inclusion is informed by the unique ways it commits to achieving success. It’s inspiring to see Ottawa’s commitment to the learning styles, and community involvement that will best allow their students to succeed in and beyond their college years.”
The Colleges of Distinction selection process consists of detailed interviews and research for each institution’s freshman experience and retention efforts alongside its general education programs, career development, strategic plan, student satisfaction, and more. Schools are accepted on the basis that they adhere to the Four Distinctions: Engaged Students, Great Teaching, Vibrant Community, and Successful Outcomes. This differs from other popular college rankings systems that, according to Creel and his colleagues, rely on non-student-centric related metrics, such as peer reputation, endowment size and alumni salaries.
Ottawa University’s designation was borne out of its blend of liberal arts education, program-specific training and abundant student-centered programs, including flex-term scheduling, personal growth days, first-year seminars, service-learning programs, intensive writing courses, interdisciplinary programs, collaborative assignments and projects, undergraduate research, capstone projects, study abroad programs career development and placement services and internships. This ensures that OU students graduate equipped to find better solutions in the workplace, their community and the world at large.
“Ottawa University is extremely honored to have once again met the rigorous standards set forth by the Colleges of Distinction program,” said Dr. Terry Haines, OU’s provost and chief academic officer. “Aligning with the University’s missions and values, this recognition for the delivery of a well-rounded liberal arts education to our students is a testament to the excellence of our students, faculty, staff and administrators. We are proud to be among the elite group of colleges and universities nationwide to receive this designation.”
As part of its 2021-22 designation, OU also received three programmatic “Field of Study” distinctions for its Angell Snyder School of Business, its School of Education and its Nursing program. Visit Ottawa’s profile at www.collegesofdistinction.com/school/ottawa-university-kansas/ to learn more about the honor and the innovative learning experiences the university offers.