1780 – The Official Blog of Transylvania University

1780 | The Official Blog of Transylvania University

News from Transy

Career Preparation

Posted on by Office of Marketing and Communications

More Than Money Transylvania is a leading advocate for the liberal arts, so it makes sense the university would prepare its future grads for more than just a high-paying job to keep up with the Joneses. The school’s career and mentoring programs provide skills and experiences that are not only desired by employers—increasing the likelihood of a nice paycheck—but also those that help the grads find personal fulfillment both on the job and off. “In working with students as they select majors and investigate careers, we want to examine their values, skills, personalities and interests as well as learn more about the world of work,” said Mike Nichols, a psychology professor and career counselor. Transylvania facilitates real-life career experiences that can show students pathways they didn’t even think possible and free them from self-imposed limitations such as: I’m an accounting major so I should be a CPA. (After all, the “liberal” in “liberal arts” is derived from the Latin word for free.) Through programs such as the 100 Doors to Success mentoring initiative and internships (academic or otherwise) facilitated by the university’s Career Development office, students travel beyond the Transy bubble to learn about an array of career possibilities—often stepping outside their comfort zone. “It’s like Baskin Robbins: 31 flavors,” said Susan Rayer, director of career development. “Taste test. Go out and see what you like to do.” It’s not likely Rayer will let this ice cream sit around long

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Unlearn Fear + Hate

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An Intervention Into the LIfe of a City Through Art Professors Kurt Gohde and Kremena Todorova have ventured from the corner of Third and Broadway to create art projects that are far from what you might associate with Transy. Their new project, Unlearn Fear + Hate, also takes shape off campus—for instance, as a metal halo bearing the message attached to the 21c Museum Hotel in downtown Lexington. But the saying was so powerful and timely that Transylvania incorporated it into the very fabric of this academic year—from endowed lectures to an embroidery project. Todorova, associate professor of English, didn’t want unlearn fear and hate to become just words that students occasionally heard about something going on “out there”—a noble idea, of course, but not terribly meaningful to them. Gohde, professor of art and chair of the Fine Arts program, was on board with that. “We’ve never done anything where the whole campus community was involved, and that was a really exciting idea,” he said. The theme ties into a dialog happening on the national level—and into the university’s overall calling, said Laura Bryan, vice president for academic affairs and dean of the university. “These conversations and activities are consistent with the mission of the liberal arts education.”  Jeremy Paden, associate professor of Spanish and Foreign Languages program director, is helping thread Unlearn Fear + Hate through Transylvania’s academics. This effort raises important questions. “As an institute of higher learning,

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Transylvania ranks among nation’s best liberal arts colleges for academics, value

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LEXINGTON Ky.—U.S. News & World Report once again ranked Transylvania University among the nation’s top-100 liberal arts colleges for both academics and value. Released today, the 2018 U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges Rankings included Transylvania in its top National Liberal Arts Colleges and Best Value Schools categories. These are two of several recent rankings that highlight the quality and value of a Transylvania education. “These recognitions are another reminder of how well we prepare our students for the workforce, and for life in general,” President Seamus Carey said. “Our dedicated faculty get to know them personally while teaching them important life skills, such as critical thinking, lifelong learning and community engagement.” When committing to a school, students and their parents find national rankings to be a useful tool. “A college education is one of the most important—and one of the most costly—investments that prospective students will ever make,” according to U.S. News. Transylvania will appear in the upcoming “Best Colleges 2018″ guidebook. The university tied for 87th place among the nation’s liberal arts schools for academic excellence. Transylvania also ranked 58th in the Best Value Schools category—which highlights colleges that provide a quality education at an affordable price—and 118th in the High School Counselor Rankings. Last month the Princeton Review included Transylvania in “The Best 382 Colleges: 2018 Edition,” a book that features the top 15 percent of the nation’s four-year colleges. The book featured feedback from the

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Princeton Review ranks Transylvania among nation’s best colleges

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LEXINGTON, Ky.—The Princeton Review this week included Transylvania University in a book featuring the top 15 percent of the nation’s four-year colleges. “We picked the 382 ‘best’ colleges for our book primarily for their outstanding academics: We highly recommend each one,” said Robert Franek, The Princeton Review’s editor-in-chief and lead author of “The Best 382 Colleges: 2018 Edition.” Known for its college admissions, tutoring and test prep services, the The Princeton Review surveyed students at the country’s top schools for the annual publication. Transylvania students said their school is known for its “academic rigor” and “high quality education.” Additionally, the university’s grounding in the liberal arts “empowers individuals to … become good, informed citizens.” The Princeton Review also highlighted positive feedback about Transylvania’s professors, who are “exceptional at fostering critical thought,” treat students as scholars, value their input and provide help outside the classroom—including finding them internships. The book mentioned Transylvania’s welcoming and diverse student body as well. “There is never a day that you don’t stop and say hello to someone on the way to class, or recognize a face on campus,” one student said. Students also noted the benefits of being in the heart of downtown Lexington, including nearby farmers markets and volunteer opportunities. “Yesterday, for instance, I volunteered at the Hope Center, a local homeless shelter which provides clean lodgings and offers free meals to anyone who needs them,” another student said. In addition to including Transylvania

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Transylvania ranks among MONEY’s Best Colleges for return on investment

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LEXINGTON, KY—MONEY Magazine on Thursday ranked Transylvania University among Kentucky’s top 10 colleges when it comes to return on investment after graduation. MONEY ranks colleges based on 27 measures of educational quality, affordability and alumni success. Specific metrics include graduation rate, student-to-faculty ratio and graduates’ earnings. “College is now the second-largest financial expenditure for many families, exceeded only by the purchase of a home,” according to MONEY. “So it isn’t surprising that parents and students are taking a hard look at the costs and payoffs of any college they consider.” Transylvania stands up well to this kind of scrutiny. It costs about $10,000 less than the average top-100 liberal arts college, and 98 percent of all students receive aid that they don’t have to pay back. In addition to making MONEY’S Best Colleges in the nation list, Transylvania has appeared in other recent prestigious rankings. The school was named one of the country’s 10 best colleges for value by USA Today/College Factual. This ranking considered Transylvania’s educational quality, as well as factors such as tuition, grants, scholarships and the average number of years it takes students to earn a degree. Also, Washington Monthly said Transylvania is one of the South’s Best Bangs for the Buck, and Kiplinger’s Best College Values of 2017 listed Transylvania 60th among the nation’s liberal arts schools.