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LEXINGTON, Ky.\u2014The incoming class at Transylvania University is the most geographically, racially and ethnically diverse class in the history of the school.\n<\/p>\nLEXINGTON, Ky.\u2014The incoming class at Transylvania University is the most geographically, racially and ethnically diverse class in the history of the school.\n<\/p>\n
\nNine percent of the 274 students in the class of 2018 are from outside the United States, and 19 percent identify themselves as a member of a racial or ethnic minority group. Both are school records. Thirty-one percent of the class is from outside Kentucky, the highest percentage since 1974.\n<\/p>\n
\nThose statistics are partly a result of enhanced recruiting efforts stemming from the university\u2019s 2011 Strategic Enrollment Plan, which calls for a more diverse campus.\n<\/p>\n
\n\u201cWe\u2019ve been more intentional about recognizing that a more diverse community creates a richer teaching and learning environment for our students and provides them with more opportunities,\u201d Vice President for Enrollment and Dean of Admissions Brad Goan said. \u201cWe\u2019ve been actively engaging community-based organizations and schools and school districts where there are more diverse populations.\u201d\n<\/p>\n
\nThe efforts have been paying off, and not just by quantifiable metrics. In a recent profile compiled by The Princeton Review, one anonymous student praised Transylvania for its culture, saying, \u201cWe\u2026have a huge population of individuals from different backgrounds, including differences in sexual orientation, class, religion, region, and political orientation.\u201d\n<\/p>\n
\nTo go along with the strong diversity numbers, the class is academically the strongest the school has ever seen, with an ACT middle 50 percent of 25-30, seven National Merit Scholars, and 45 graduates of the Kentucky Governor\u2019s Scholars program, the Governor\u2019s School for the Arts or the Governor\u2019s School for Entrepreneurship. Half of the students graduated in the top 10 percent of their high school class.\n<\/p>\n
\n\u201cWe\u2019re really excited that the quality of students continues to improve,\u201d Goan said. \u201cThis makes everyone\u2019s experience stronger.\u201d\n<\/p>\n
\nGoan noted, however, that academic achievement in high school is not the only factor for admission. Many students will get the opportunity to reach their full potential in small, challenging classes with professors who are motivated to see those students succeed.\n<\/p>\n
\n\u201cThis is a place for students who come with a variety of academic backgrounds,\u201d he said. \u201cOne thing that is true about Transylvania is we have students with perfect ACT scores and GPAs and students with academic records that they want to improve. Those students can work together, learn from each other and push each other in this environment, and that\u2019s exciting.\u201d\n<\/p>\n
\nThe first-year students arrived on campus Aug. 8 for August term, a unique three-week session where they get oriented to college life and participate in the First Engagements academic seminar. This year\u2019s theme is \u201cIdentity and Belonging in a Changing World.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
LEXINGTON, Ky.\u2014The incoming class at Transylvania University is the most geographically, racially and ethnically diverse class in the history of the school. Nine percent of the 274 students in the class of 2018 are from outside the United States, and 19 percent identify themselves as a member of a racial or ethnic minority group. Both are school records. Thirty-one percent of the class is from outside Kentucky, the highest percentage since 1974. Those statistics are partly a result of enhanced recruiting efforts stemming from the university\u2019s 2011 Strategic Enrollment Plan, which calls for a more diverse campus. \u201cWe\u2019ve been more intentional about recognizing that a more diverse community creates a richer teaching and learning environment for our students and provides them with more opportunities,\u201d Vice President for Enrollment and Dean of Admissions Brad Goan said. \u201cWe\u2019ve been actively engaging community-based organizations and schools and school districts where there are more diverse populations.\u201d The efforts have been paying off, and not just by quantifiable metrics. In a recent profile compiled by The Princeton Review, one anonymous student praised Transylvania for its culture, saying, \u201cWe\u2026have a huge population of individuals from different backgrounds, including differences in sexual orientation, class, religion, region, and political orientation.\u201d To go along with the strong diversity numbers, the class is academically the strongest the school has ever seen, with an ACT middle 50 percent of 25-30, seven National Merit Scholars, and 45 graduates of the Kentucky Governor\u2019s<\/p>\n