USC Aiken Honored Again

AIKEN, SC (03/22/2018) The University of South Carolina Aiken has earned another national recognition, being named one of the nation's Colleges of Distinction.

In the fall, the 56-year-old university was recognized as the number one Public Regional College in the South by U.S. News and World Report for the 13th time as well as Best for Vets by the same publication.

Its most recent accolade, however, is more than just a list of top colleges according to Tyson Schritter, chief operating officer for Colleges of Distinction.

"Our goal is to select schools that are 100 percent focused on the student experience, driven to produce well-rounded graduates who are prepared for a global society and economy," Schritter said.

The Colleges of Distinction publishes its recipients on its website and annual guidebooks each year, providing information for high school students, parents, and counselors as they prepare to make college selections. The selection process requires institutions adhere to four distinctions - engaged students, great teaching, vibrant community and successful outcomes. A review of each institution's freshman experience and its general education program, strategic plan, alumni success and satisfaction measures is also conducted.

Student body president Jacob Yarbrough recalled a professor taking extra steps to help him with math work during his freshman year, meeting with him after hours to make sure he understood the content.

"That's the kind of one-on-one commitment you get at USC Aiken," the junior communications major said.

According to director of admissions Andrew Hendrix, the university has a 15-1 ratio for students to faculty, allowing for better teaching opportunities from professors not teaching assistants.

"We try to treat students right and give them a great education at a reasonable cost," he said.

Students have the opportunity to study abroad in England and India and have leadership opportunities throughout the U.S. And while the university offers master's degree programs, many of their undergraduate students perform research in cancer, post-traumatic stress disorder, AIDS and the environment.

"People don't realize that all that is going down right here," director of news and information Leslie Hull-Ryde said.

While most of the criteria for Colleges of Distinction looked at education, student involvement was a major factor in the selection process, something Yarbrough said USC Aiken prides itself on.

The university has more than 90 student organizations including Greek life, student government association and the Chancellor's Ambassadors, which works to bridge the gap between students and alumni and recently with state legislators to improve campus facilities.

"Once you come here, I think it's easy to get immersed in the culture we have here at USC Aiken because we have everything you can get at a bigger university, just on a smaller scale," Yarborough said.

USC Aiken By the Numbers

65 percent of full-time, first-time students graduate within 6 years

Students from 35 states and 36 countries

15-1 ratio for students to faculty

Enrollment of 3,500 for 2017-2018

More than 90 student organizations

Editor's Note: This story by Amanda King first appeared in the Augusta Chronicle March 22, 2018.

Posted Thursday March 22, 2018 at 11:12 am by USC Aiken
Last Updated Thursday March 22, 2018 at 11:12 am