Kennesaw State’s first-year program recognized among best by U.S.News
Eighth straight year of program’s recognition
KENNESAW, Ga. (Aug. 18, 2010) —…
Georgia
(Aug 18, 2010) —
Eighth straight year of program’s recognition
KENNESAW, Ga. (Aug. 18, 2010) — Kennesaw State University’s first-year experience program was recognized by U.S.News and World Report as one of the best in the country in its 2011 Best Colleges issue out this week.
This marks the eighth consecutive year that KSU’s first-year experience program has
been recognized in the prestigious annual college rankings.
U.S.News also ranked KSU 32nd among regional, public universities in the South and 69th among all regional universities in the South.
“It is an honor for Kennesaw State to be recognized once again for the excellence
of our first-year experience program,” said KSU President Daniel S. Papp. “Kennesaw State is on its way to achieving national prominence, and the latest U.S.News rankings are a testament to that.”
KSU was one of 23 colleges recognized by U.S.News for its first-year experience program, along with top-tier institutions such as the
University of Notre Dame, Stanford University and the University of Michigan. KSU
was the only university in Georgia recognized for this program.
The first-year experience is one of eight “Academic Programs to Look for” noted by
U.S.News to recognize outstanding academic programs that are believed to lead to student success.
Schools were selected from nominations submitted by college presidents, chief academic
officers, deans of students and deans of admissions from more than 1,300 schools.
“It is no surprise that KSU continues to be recognized for being a national leader
in first-year experience programs,” said Ralph Rascati, associate vice president for
advising, retention and graduation initiatives and dean of University College. “Our program offersstudents strategies designed to enhance their academic success,
life skills, campus and community engagement, and a foundation for learning about
global issues.”
KSU’s acclaimed first-year experience program combines special curricular and extracurricular
offerings designed to make first-year students stay and succeed in college. First-year
students may either take a first-year seminar or enroll in a learning community
with a group of students taking several classes together, in addition to participating
in activities outside the classroom, such as attending lectures on the common reader
that all first-year seminar students must read.
U.S.News ranked more schools numerically this year, now ranking the top 75 percent, up from
the top 50 percent. For regional universities like KSU, U.S.News weighed in undergraduate academic reputation, graduation and freshman retention rates,
and faculty resources, among other factors, to determine the rankings.
In a separate ranking released this week, the American Council of Trustees and Alumni
listed KSU among only 16 universities in the country that scored an “A” in the group’s
“What Will They Learn?” guide. The grades are based on whether a university requires
courses in seven core subjects: composition, literature, foreign language, U.S. government
or history, economics, mathematics, and natural or physical science.
Colleges that require six or seven of these courses got an “A.” KSU offered six of
the required seven courses. Other universities that scored an “A” in the council’s
ranking include Baylor University, Texas A&M University in College Station, the United
States Air Force Academy and the United States Military Academy. Only 2 percent of
more than 700 institutions evaluated were awarded an “A.” Some 35 percent scored a
B.
The ACTA is an independent, nonprofit organization committed to academic freedom,
excellence and accountability at America’s colleges and universities.
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Kennesaw State University is the third-largest university in Georgia, offering more
than 70 graduate and undergraduate degrees, including doctorates in education, business
and nursing and a new Ph.D. in international conflict management. A member of the
35-unit University System of Georgia, Kennesaw State is a comprehensive, residential
institution with a growing student population of more than 22,300 from 142 countries.
A leader in innovative teaching and learning, Kennesaw State University offers more than 150 undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees to its approximately 41,000 students. With 11 colleges on two metro Atlanta campuses, Kennesaw State is a member of the University System of Georgia and the third-largest university in the state. The university’s vibrant campus culture, diverse population, strong global ties and entrepreneurial spirit draw students from throughout the region and from 92 countries across the globe. Kennesaw State is a Carnegie-designated doctoral research institution (R2), placing it among an elite group of only 6 percent of U.S. colleges and universities with an R1 or R2 status, and one of the 50 largest public institutions in the country. For more information, visit kennesaw.edu.
