Hiram College has once again been recognized for its excellence in undergraduate education that focuses on hands-on learning, strong student-faculty relationships, and successful outcomes, earning a place as one of the nation’s 2023-2024 Colleges of Distinction and Ohio Colleges of Distinction.
“We are honored to receive this national recognition from Colleges of Distinction,” said Rob Bohrer, Ph.D., interimpresident of Hiram College. “It affirms our commitment to helping our students learn, grow, and succeed by providing a relationship-rich education based on close interactions and mentorship from top-notch faculty, alongside experiential learning opportunities such as internships, study aboard experiences, and student research.”Colleges of Distinction’s selection process comprises a sequence of in-depth research and detailed interviews with the schools, accepting only those that adhere to the Four Distinctions: Engaged Students, Great Teaching, Vibrant Community, and Successful Outcomes. As a College of Distinction, Hiram College has shown excellence in each of these areas, providing its students with a well-rounded, practical education that prepares them for successful careers and lives.Hiram also achieved program-specific recognition for its Nursing Department, Education Department, and Scarborough School of Business and Communication. These additional accolades were borne out of a need for college curricula that are comprehensive not only in course material, but also in practical- and soft-skills development. Hiram College has met these needs with a blend of classroom learning, program-specific training, and abundant opportunities for real-world application.NursingHiram College educates future nurses to be compassionate caregivers who are clinically competent, ethically grounded, and socially and culturally responsible. Hiram’s nursing students experience a wide range of specialties during their educational journey including adult, pediatric, gerontological, community, critical care, and psychiatric mental health. Accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education and approved by the Ohio Board of Nursing, the College’s direct entry nursing program enables its students to take calculated action, even in high-pressure situations.“For a nursing program, being recognized as a College of Distinction highlights the program’s commitment to providing a comprehensive, high-quality, holistic education that prepares students to flourish in their nursing career,” said Sarahbeth Abalos, Ph.D., RN, CNE, nursing program director at the College. “Hiram’s commitment to the liberal arts tradition further develops our nursing graduates to possess critical thinking skills, cultural and ethical competence, and a life-long learning mindset.”EducationHiram College is proud to graduate future educators who are not only knowledgeable, but also efficient mentors whoprovide empathetic support and novel teaching methods. Students pursuing a licensure degree in education from Hiram learn by doing, both in the field and in campus classrooms, with faculty support as they engage in deep and connected experiences with learners. The Teacher Licensure program at Hiram College is nationally accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP), and the College’s teacher licensure candidates rank among the top in the state with strong passage rates on the educator licensure exam.“It’s an honor for the education program at Hiram College to once again be named as a College of Distinction,” said Jennifer McCreight, Ph.D., head of teacher education at Hiram. “We are proud of our focus on ensuring students have diverse opportunities to engage in practical classroom experience throughout their time at Hiram, which comes from the close relationships we have with our local K-12 community. Our faculty also advise students closely and believe strongly in expanding our students’ experiences by encouraging them to take courses across campus – they will be better educators because they can learn and think in a variety of ways!”BusinessThe Scarborough School of Business and Communication educates and challenges students to become leaders and innovators who create value for themselves, their profession, and their community. Through interdisciplinary learning and real-world experiences, programs in management, marketing, accounting and financial management, communication, and sport management help students develop the higher order skills today’s employers are seeking.“This distinction is a strong validation of what we do at Hiram and a testament to our ability to make a difference in the lives of our students,” said Andrew White, Ph.D., director of the Scarborough School of Business and Communication. “Faculty in the Scarborough School of Business and Communication are committed to joining students in their educational experience – it’s not about standing in front of a class and telling students what we know, rather we engage in conversations, explore possibilities, and critically evaluate real-world situations. Our faculty are also determined to help students secure the experiential opportunities that will serve as a strong foundation ahead of their careers.”To view Hiram College’s profile or to find more information about the innovative learning experiences the College offers, visit https://collegesofdistinction.com/ school/hiram-college/. About Hiram College:Founded in 1850, Hiram College provides students of all backgrounds with an attainable private education that teaches the 21st-century skills needed to thrive professionally and personally in the face of inevitable and constant change. Built on a community that fosters student-faculty collaboration, the College equips all students with the tools necessary to embrace active learning in the classroom, in Ohio, and beyond through technology, internship, study away, research, and other experiential opportunities for growth and development. Recognized by Colleges of Distinction, The Princeton Review, U.S. News and World Report, and as a top baccalaureate college by Washington Monthly, Hiram enrolls over 1,000 undergraduate and graduate students in academic programs on its Northeast Ohio campus and online. For more information, please visit www.hiram.edu.
