Elizabethtown College has been recognized for its honorable commitment to helping undergraduate students learn, grow, and succeed by Colleges of Distinction, a unique guide for college-bound students. Elizabethtown College has been named a 2022-2023 College of Distinction, Pennsylvania College of Distinction, and has earned additional recognition in the areas of Business, Education, Engineering, and Career Development.

Colleges of Distinction has developed a selection process that requires more than an overview of institutional data, statistics, and the size of the endowment. Instead, the 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. These principles are all informed by the High-Impact Practices to prioritize the ways that institutions enable students to have a fulfilling, individualized college experience both inside and outside of the classroom. To earn the recognition, Elizabethtown College demonstrated the following programs and experiences:

  • Engaged Students – Students at Etown have the opportunity to take an active part in their own learning through the College’s five Signature Learning Experiences (SLEs) which include a capstone course, project, or portfolio; community-based learning; cross-cultural experiences; internship, field placement, or practicum; and supervised research.
  • Great Teaching – Students at Etown have meaningful interactions with faculty in First-Year Seminars, experiential courses, and collaborative research.
  • Vibrant Community – Creating connections with peers outside of the classroom is an important part of a well-rounded college experience. Etown offers over 75 clubs and student organizations, affinity-based Living Learning Communities (LLCs), and community service opportunities to help students find a sense of belonging and meaning throughout their campus experience.
  • Successful Outcomes – The undergraduate experience works cohesively to prepare students not only for graduation but for life after. Some of these experiences at Etown include internships, study abroad, capstone courses, and fieldwork placements.

“When we focus all of our attention on how schools stack up against one another, we lose track of what really matters: the students themselves,” Wes Creel, Founder of Colleges of Distinction said. “Every student has individual needs and their own environment in which they’re most likely to thrive. We want to extend our praise to the schools that prioritize and cater to students’ goals.”

Elizabethtown College’s inclusion is informed by the unique ways it commits to achieving success. The effective strategies for student satisfaction and outcomes were the kinds of engaging experiences found at Elizabethtown College.

Creel continued, “We’re inspired by the ways in which Elizabethtown College immerses students in their fields, all while fostering a welcoming community that will support them through and beyond their college years.”

About Colleges of Distinction
Since 2000, Colleges of Distinction has been committed to honoring schools throughout the U.S. for true excellence in higher education. The member schools within the Colleges of Distinction consortium distinguish themselves through their dedicated focus on the undergraduate experience. Its website provides dynamic college profiles, customized tools, and resources for students, parents, and high school counselors. For more information, and to learn how to become a College of Distinction, visit CollegesofDistinction.com.