SUNY Canton Receives High Marks and Number One Rankings in Student Opinion Survey

CANTON, NY (10/21/2015)(readMedia)-- According to the 2015 SUNY Student Opinion Survey, SUNY Canton is excelling in student service-, academic- and facility-related areas.

The survey, which evaluates the 27 state-operated SUNY colleges and university centers, is conducted every three years and assesses student satisfaction in more than 50 areas. SUNY Canton earned an overall number one ranking in three categories: library resources, library services and tutoring services.

"We're extremely gratified that our students highly value our exceptional resources," said SUNY Canton President Zvi Szafran. "We're committed to ensuring their success, and these results-evaluated by the students themselves-prove it."

The Southworth Library Learning Commons has most recently enhanced the laptop and iPad loan program; integrated Quick Response Codes, video and podcasts to meet patron needs; and expanded hours during exam periods.

"The Southworth Library Learning Commons is a focal point of engagement for the campus community," said SUNY Canton Dean of Academic Support Services Molly A. Mott. "It is rich in academic resources, including our Tutoring Center, which offers both professional and peer tutors who support our students' academic needs."

The survey also measured SUNY Canton against six peer technology-sector institutions: Alfred State, SUNY Morrisville, SUNY Delhi, SUNY Cobleskill, SUNY Farmingdale, SUNY Maritime. SUNY Canton took the top spot in 13 areas, one of which was the quality of the college's laboratory facilities.

"The college's state-of-the-art nursing, veterinary technology, engineering technology labs, as well as the newly constructed Business Learning Center, are just a few examples of facilities that support hands-on, applied learning, which is a hallmark of SUNY Canton," said SUNY Canton Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Douglas M. Scheidt, Ph.D.

Another area that students ranked first among technology-sector schools was SUNY Canton's Office of Career Services, which offers a number of resume writing, interview and networking workshops, as well as individualized coaching for those who are entering the work force. In addition, during the 2014-2015 academic year, the office brought nearly 100 local and regional employers to campus to recruit students for job opportunities.

"We like to begin working with first-year students in developing their resumes and creating a plan," said SUNY Canton Director of Career Services Julie A. Parkman. "They continue to use our services throughout their academic career to obtain summer jobs or internships that enhance their educational knowledge. All these experiences prepare our students to begin their professional careers."

Within the academic arena, students praised the availability of online courses, ranking the college first in the technology sector. Over the past several years, SUNY Canton has enjoyed increased growth in online course enrollments, due in large part to expanded course offerings. This year the college's online programs were ranked among the best in the nation by U.S. News and World Report.

"SUNY Canton's online courses offer the same high-quality instruction as a traditional classroom setting," added Mott. "In addition, our Summer Session and Winterterm courses help students finish in four years, which supports SUNY System-wide goals for access and completion."

Other areas that earned the top spot in the survey when compared to technology-sector schools included athletic and recreational facilities, health and wellness programs, religious and spiritual programs, and social media presence.

About SUNY Canton

SUNY Canton is Northern New York's premier college for career-driven bachelor's degrees, associate degrees and certificate programs. The college delivers quality hands-on programs in engineering technology, health, management and public service. Faculty members are noted for their professional real-world experience in addition to outstanding academic credentials. SUNY Canton OnLine offers hundreds of flexible and convenient courses as well as ten exclusively online bachelor's degrees. The college's 14 athletic teams compete as members of the NCAA Division III.

-www.canton.edu-