When families begin the college search, there are obvious things to look for.
Strong academics.
Career outcomes.
Internships.
Campus safety.
Opportunities.
But beneath all of those practical questions is something deeper:
Will my student be happy there?
Will they grow there?
Will someone notice if they’re struggling?
Will they become more confident, more independent, more themselves?
At Transylvania University, that kind of growth is not an afterthought.
It’s the entire experience.
Students arrive at Transy looking for an education, but what they often find is something much more personal: professors who become mentors, classmates who become family and a community that genuinely cares about who they are becoming.
That difference is something families feel almost immediately when they step on campus.
Small class sizes and personal mentorship help students thrive
At larger universities, students can sometimes disappear into the crowd. At Transylvania, relationships are at the center of everything. Small classes create space for conversations. Professors know students personally. Faculty and staff invest in students not only academically, but emotionally and professionally as well.
For Emma Swallows, those relationships shaped her entire college experience from the very beginning.
“The student leaders that were welcoming and encouraging when I first joined campus really influenced me. From the RAs that helped me on move-in day to my sorority who helped me navigate being a first-year, I was immediately met with a sense of belonging.”
That sense of belonging continued throughout her four years at Transy.
“While I knew that the appeal of Transy was our small classes and the interpersonal connections that you can build, I didn’t realize how impactful that would be until I got here and began to experience it. From studying abroad with professors to spending hours in staff meetings, I have been consistently reminded that these relationships extend far beyond just the classroom. Faculty and staff invest in both academic and personal success, and truly care about you as individuals.”
That level of support matters because college can be both exciting and overwhelming. Students need opportunities to grow independently, but they also need a community that notices them, encourages them and reminds them they belong.
A liberal arts education that builds real-world confidence
At Transylvania, students are challenged to stretch beyond what feels comfortable — academically, socially and professionally — while still knowing they have people beside them every step of the way.
For many students, that support gives them the confidence to discover entirely new passions.
Dakota Capps originally planned to study health and exercise science before discovering accounting through Transy’s liberal arts experience.
“I was originally a health and exercise major but through Transy’s liberal arts and diverse learning I was able to find a career that I love.”
But when Dakota reflects on what mattered most during college, he doesn’t immediately talk about academics.
“The whole men’s basketball coaching staff: Coach Lane, Ham, Stone were all there for me after my mother died freshman year. They are amazing role models who not only were worried about me as a player but human beings as well.”
That’s the kind of story families remember.
Because students need more than academic support. They need people who care about them as human beings.
Hands-on learning and career preparation in Lexington, Kentucky
That culture of mentorship extends across every part of campus life.
For Ella Petrey, majoring in music education became far more than preparing for a future profession.
“My time here at Transy has allowed me to reflect on how much music education matters to me. Music is such a powerful way to connect to one another, express who we are and make sense of the world around us, and I believe that everyone deserves to have the opportunity to feel that.”
She says Transy gave her not only hands-on experiences and professional preparation, but friendships and relationships that shaped her personally as well.
“Transy has given me so much more than an education. It’s where I met some of my best friends and made many meaningful connections, not only on campus but within the Lexington community as well.”
That connection to Lexington becomes another important part of the Transylvania experience.
Located in the heart of downtown Lexington, Transy gives students direct access to internships, research opportunities, arts organizations, healthcare systems, nonprofits and local businesses. Students engage with the city constantly — not only professionally, but socially and personally too.
For many students, some of their favorite memories happen both on campus and throughout Lexington itself: concerts downtown, local coffee shops, volunteering, parks, restaurants and late-night conversations with friends after campus events.
Students gain independence while still being grounded in a supportive campus environment.
How Transylvania University helps students grow into confident adults
Over time, families begin noticing something remarkable:
Their students change.
They become more confident. More willing to take risks. More engaged with the world around them.
Ethan Kroll says one of the most unexpected discoveries of his Transy experience came through an Ornithology course he never imagined would impact him so deeply.
“One of my favorite things to do that I do not think I would have gotten into without Transy is bird photography. I took Ornithology the May term of my sophomore year and ever since that I have been in love with birds.”
That kind of intellectual curiosity is part of the real-world difference at Transylvania.
Students aren’t simply trained for one specific job. They learn how to think critically, communicate effectively, adapt confidently and remain curious throughout their lives.
And perhaps that’s why so many students describe leaving Transylvania not only more prepared professionally, but more certain of themselves personally too.
Why Transylvania University is different
When families search for colleges, they’re ultimately searching for a place where their student will be challenged, supported and prepared for the future.
At Transylvania University, students graduate ready for careers.
But more importantly, they graduate ready for life.
Visit Transy this summer to learn about the difference of Transylvania University.