The University of Mary Washington has been recognized as one of the nation’s Colleges of Distinction. This honor comes as a result of UMW’s success in four key areas: engaged students, great teaching, a vibrant community and positive outcomes.
“We are thrilled to recognize University of Mary Washington as a College of Distinction for its effective dedication to student success,” said Tyson Schritter, chief operating officer for Colleges of Distinction. “Through our research and conversations with university leaders, we have been impressed by Mary Washington’s innovative programming, its attention to career development, its sense of community, its commitment to service learning and its outstanding faculty.”
Colleges of Distinction’s selection process consists of a review of each institution’s first-year experience and retention efforts alongside its general education programs, alumni success, strategic plan, student satisfaction and more. What set UMW apart is its unique approach to living and learning – grouping together first-year students enrolled in the same freshman seminar – as well as the scope of student-faculty research.
“Colleges of Distinction is far more than a ranking list of colleges and universities,” Schritter said. “We seek out schools that are wholly focused on the student experience and are constantly working to produce graduates prepared for a rapidly changing global society.”
Since 2000, the Colleges of Distinction website and guidebook have honored schools throughout the U.S. for their excellence in undergraduate-focused higher education. The cohort of schools in the Colleges of Distinction consortium distinguish themselves through their focus on the undergraduate experience. The website and annual guidebooks provide dynamic college profiles, customized tools, and resources for students, parents and high school counselors. For more information, visit https://collegesofdistinction.com/.
UMW is a public liberal arts and sciences university, highly respected for its commitment to academic excellence, strong undergraduate liberal arts and sciences program, and dedication to life-long learning. The university, with a total enrollment of nearly 5,000, features colleges of business, education, and arts and sciences, and three campuses – in the heart of Fredericksburg, Virginia, in nearby Stafford County, and in Dahlgren, Virginia.
In recent years, the university has seen its academic reputation garner national recognition in numerous selective guidebooks, including Forbes, the Fiske Guide to Colleges and the Princeton Review’s edition of 150 “Best Value Colleges” and “The Best 376 Colleges.”
