Samford University students were ranked second nationally on the list of most engaged college students, according to the 2021 college rankings recently published by The Wall Street Journal and Times Higher Education.
The university ranked third last year in the same category.
Samford also ranked 183rd overall in the Times Higher Education Student Engagement Survey, which measures institutions’ student engagement, student outcomes and learning environments. It ranked first in the state. Nearly 800 universities were assessed in the study.
“Rankings are just one measure of a university’s effectiveness and reputation, but it is encouraging to see the praiseworthy work of our faculty and staff recognized by The Wall Street Journal,” said Samford President Andrew Westmoreland. “At Samford we know that success after graduation means not only advancing professional goals, but also pursuing personal growth in purpose and faith. Nurturing student development is important in accomplishing this mission.”
According to The Wall Street Journal, the Student Engagement category assesses how prepared students feel to use their education in the real world, examining “how engaged students feel they are with their professors, their peers and their education.” Student engagement is deemed to be central to exceptional teaching quality and reflects “how well a university manages to inform, inspire and challenge students,” the newspaper said in its story.
Samford’s offerings to students include 166 student organizations, global engagement in more than 19 countries and more than 180 courses that incorporate community service. In addition to providing a core curriculum that includes a foundation in the liberal arts, university officials noted that 97% of undergraduate alumni move on to become employed or enrolled in further study within six months of graduation.
—Emily Williams
