College Guide 2023

L C EGE O L

IGU DE 2023

• UM/Flint degree options

• Application facts and figures

• College savings strategies

• Top ranked Spring Arbor University And more!

UM-Flint prioritizes innovative degree options

Jamee Taylor has a lot on her plate – she’s a mother to three kids and a full-time chemist at BASF. She has big goals and to achieve them she needs a bachelor’s degree. ankfully, the University of MichiganFlint has a program that puts earning a world-renowned degree within reach for the working mother.

Every aspect of UM-Flint’s Accelerated Online Degree Completion program was built with accessibility in mind. e accelerated, seven-week courses are o ered in a totally online, asynchronous format. e faculty and sta of the program cater to nontraditional students as well, from academic advisors who went back to college while raising a family to faculty who design curriculum that acknowledge the life experiences of working adults.

“Being a mother of three kids, being a full-time chemist, I heard about the AODC program and said ‘this is perfect for me,’” said Taylor. “Being able to nish my degree on my own time, in the evenings a er dinner and the kids are in bed, is perfect. Listening to some audiobooks for classes during my commute is actually really e cient.”

AODC students like Taylor are also eligible for an $8,000 scholarship that makes earning a college degree even more achievable – a commitment to educational accessibility that can be found throughout the UM-Flint campus.

SCHOLARSHIPS AND GRANTS AVAILABLE FOR EVERY KIND OF LEARNER

While the AODC scholarship is intended for working adults and transfer students, many scholarship opportunities at UM-Flint require nothing more than admission to the university.

First-year and transfer undergraduate students are automatically considered for merit scholarships upon admission, awards which range from $1,000 to full tuition and fees. Award amounts are determined based on GPA and standardized test scores. In addition, the Go Blue Guarantee o ers free tuition for high achieving, in-state students with family incomes of $65,000 or less

and assets below $50,000. Undergraduate students are automatically considered for the Go Blue Guarantee a er gaining admission to UM-Flint and by ling the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.

UM-Flint’s dedicated team of nancial aid experts work with every student to ensure they have the best possible plan for funding their education. More information can be found at um int.edu/ naid/.

INNOVATIVE DEGREE OPTIONS

e AODC program is a perfect t for Taylor to earn her degree without sacri cing the other important aspects of her life.

e program’s six start dates throughout the academic year mean that students are never more than a few weeks away from starting a program with the rigor and excellence necessary for career success a er graduation.

e program is one of more than 30 degree options available for totally online learners at the university, with options at the undergraduate, master’s and doctoral levels.

To prepare students for in-demand careers and to meet employer needs in a quickly growing health care industry, UM-Flint’s College of Health Sciences is adding four new degree options for fall 2023: Exercise Science, Health Information Technology (online), Occupational erapy Accelerated Pathway and the Physical erapy Accelerated Pathway. Both the OT and PT pathways will allow students to complete the requirements for a bachelor’s degree in health sciences in three years instead of four and apply to begin the doctorate degree one year sooner than the traditional path, saving signi cant time and money.

For students interested in STEM elds, UM-Flint’s College of Innovation & Technolog o ers a wide range of degree programs designed in partnership with industry partners to meet employer needs. Also new for 2023, CIT has

added a Bachelor of Science in So ware Engineering, which consists of core courses in data structures, operating systems, and so ware engineering for AI systems. e program will be o ered in several formats including face-to-face, mixed-mode and online to meet the needs of UM-Flint students in every life circumstance.

STUDENTS LEVEL UP WITH RESEARCH

To better prepare students to stand out in an increasingly competitive job market, UM-Flint o ers a host of research opportunities at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. ese unique opportunities to work alongside professors on real-world projects can make the di erence when entering the workforce or applying to professional schools.

Holly Attebury, a 2020 graduate of UMFlint’s molecular biology and biotechnology program, walked away from a successful career in advertising following her father’s passing from pancreatic cancer. She made

much and more. I cannot say enough about the instructors at UM-Flint,” Attebury said. “ ey were there for me. ey were there to help me achieve my dream.”

Students can even be paid while gaining research experience through the Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program and Summer Undergraduate Research Experience programs. Graduate students can gain employment as research assistants as part of their education.

CUTTING-EDGE CAMPUS FACILITIES

For students studying on campus, UM-Flint o ers a world-class educational environment in the heart of vibrant downtown Flint. e university’s newest academic space, the Murchie Science Building Expansion, opened its doors in 2021 and has quickly become a model for innovative learning spaces and sustainable construction.

Many instructional spaces in the expansion can be used in both lecture and lab formats, allowing a class to transition seamlessly from talking about a topic to working on that issue in real time. e space abandons conventional formats in favor of student-centered design that removes barriers to learning. More than $2 million in industry-standard equipment out t the expansion’s laboratories, including a wind tunnel in the uids lab, multiple 3D printers in the workshop and many opportunities for hands-on study in the robotics/mechatronics lab. e design of the expansion itself mirrors the concepts taught within it, as the building was awarded LEED Silver status, the most widely used green building rating system in the world and an international symbol of excellence. e MSB Expansion achieved LEED certi cation through sustainable site development, water savings, energy e ciency, materials selection and indoor environmental quality.

APPLICATIONS ARE BEING ACCEPTED

it her goal to research the disease – a mission made possible in part due to her undergraduate research. A er investigating environmental factors that may trigger metastasis in cancer with her UM-Flint professors, Attebury was accepted to the Cancer Biology PhD program at UM-Ann Arbor, where she is continuing her mission to make a di erence.

“As much as I put into each one of my courses, the professors gave me back that

UM-Flint accepts undergraduate applications on a rolling basis, meaning applications can be submitted any time throughout the year. Graduate programs have particular application dates to consider.

No matter a prospective student’s program of interest or career goals, UMFlint admissions professionals are available to guide applicants through every step of the enrollment process. ose interested can take the next step at um int.edu/ admissions.

Holly Attebury returned to college in order to pursue a new career in cancer research. Thanks to the experiences she had at UM-Flint, Attebury is now working on a PhD at UM-Ann Arbor.

UM-Flint prioritizes accessibility through innovative programs, scholarships.

Get

Why

Save

You could graduate sooner

It’s easy to transfer credits back to your own school

Many prerequisites are waived

Courses are taught by instructors, not teaching assistants

Education continues to provide a sizable return on investment

A recent report from the Center on Education and the Workforce at Georgetown University revealed just how valuable a college degree continues to be. As tuition costs at many colleges and universities rise and families wonder if investing in a college degree is as wise as it once was, the CEW report can reassure parents and their children that a college degree remains a valuable asset that pays significant financial dividends over the long haul.

According to the CEW report, adults with a bachelor’s degree earn an average of $2.8 million during their careers. By contrast, adults with a high school diploma earn an average of $1.6 million over the course of their careers, while those without

a diploma earn $1.2 million in their lifetimes.

One key consideration for individuals concerns when education may not provide the expected financial return. Though people pursue advanced degrees for a variety of reasons, including the potential to earn more money over the course of their careers, the CEW study found that the average person with a master’s degree earns $3.2 million in their careers, or just $400,000 more than someone with a bachelor’s degree. Though $400,000 is a significant sum of money, given the cost to obtain a master’s degree and the work required to earn it, some individuals, particularly those who would pursue such a degree

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How students can transition to life on a college campus

Much has been made of the challenges that have faced students and their families during the COVID-19 pandemic. The shift to remote learning and shortened school days was difficult for many families, forcing students to adapt to virtual school on the fly as their parents adjusted to working from home full-time while doing their best to keep kids engaged in their studies and occupied when school let out each day. Given those challenges, it’s no wonder so many families are looking forward to what figures to be a more normal school year in 2021-22. But that return will pose its own unique challenges as well. Some students may be a little anxious as they prepare to return to campus this fall. That transition could be especially difficult for incoming college freshmen, who must overcome any pandemic-related concerns about returning to campus while also making the transition to life on a college campus. The following are some ways to make that

transition go smoothly.

• ENGAGE IN THE COMMUNITY. The Health, Counseling and Disability Access Services at the University of Missouri-St. Louis urges students to take advantage of opportunities to engage in their new communities as early as possible. The HCDAS notes that first-year experiences are designed to help students connect with their new life on campus and make new friends. All incoming freshmen are facing the same set of unique circumstances as the 2021-22 school year begins. That includes the adjustment from remote learning with limited social contact with peers to a return to more traditional academic and social settings. Navigating that transition alongside other incoming freshmen can make it a little easier to handle.

• PLAN AHEAD. Parents and their collegebound children can prepare for the coming school year by learning about on-campus policies over the summer. Will masks be

mandated? Will classrooms remain socially distanced? Are vaccinations required to attend class in person? The sooner families learn these policies, the sooner they can begin planning for life on campus. Parents also can look into on-campus resources designed to help students readjust to being back among their peers. Knowing where to go for help should students need it can ensure any issues that arise are addressed promptly.

• ENCOURAGE STUDENTS TO SHARE

THEIR CONCERNS. Opening up about any concerns they may have can help students as they emerge from the pandemic. Many

parents were concerned about returning to the office in person, and they can share those concerns and the ultimate outcomes of their returns with students concerned about moving onto a college campus. Parents are urged to periodically check in with college students about any anxieties they may have about being on campus.

Returning to full-time, in-person learning after the pandemic may be especially challenging for incoming college freshmen. Such students can work with their parents over the summer to conquer their fears and prepare for the coming school year.

SVSU was voted the #1 college campus in Michigan. What does that mean? When you join SVSU, you join the Cardinal family, a caring community of scholars, mentors, experts and friends. We are committed to providing students with the support they need to do their best — emotionally, physically and academically.

“At SVSU, everyone is extremely supportive and inclusive to help each other on their individual journeys. SVSU has consistently provided me the tools I need to succeed in my college career.”

LUCAS INMAN

Theatre major from Saginaw

SVSU’s support centers keep students on the right track for their entire Cardinal college journey.

solely to improve their earning potential, may not deem the investment worth their time or money. That’s a consideration for people given the average cost of a master’s degree, which the Education Data Initiative reports is slightly more than $66,000.

Field of study is another consideration for individuals curious about the return to expect when investing in education. The CEW report found that the median career earnings

among individuals with a bachelor’s degree in architecture and engineering is $3.8 million, while individuals with a bachelor’s in education earn slightly more than half that amount ($2 million).

As the cost of higher education continues to rise, parents and students about to enter college should know that obtaining a college degree remains a worthy pathway to earning more money over the course of one’s life.

WHATEVER IS NEXT

For Grand Valley students, next is opportunity and innovation. Next is global, connecting and uniting us. It’s local, shaping the spaces in which we work and live. It’s a commitment to progress. Next is where minds are free to imagine what could be. At GVSU, next is now. And whatever’s next for you, we will help you get there.

gvsu.edu/next

• 90% of graduates are employed within 6 months of graduation

• Michigan’s #1 safest campus*

• 44 athletic teams (23 NCAA Division II), plus all kinds of clubs and activities

• 100% of incoming freshman receive scholarships

• 13:1 student/faculty ratio

Career-ready degrees to help you rise above the rest

College application facts and figures

• College admissions teams view a potential applicant as more seriously interested in the school if they know he or she has visited. Interested parties can go above and beyond taking the Open House tour by auditing a class or even spending a night in a dorm.

• Due in large part to COVID-19 disrupting SAT and ACT testing schedules and potentially setting an uneven playing field for those who tested and those who could not, many colleges are now testoptional schools. Despite that, guidance counselors may urge students to test and submit strong scores to test-optional

schools because those scores can help unlock merit-based aid.

• The College Board indicates the average financial aid award per student is $15,000. And the National Association for College Admission Counseling says 43 percent of all institutional aid funds are merit-based.

• The Common App is one tool used to apply to colleges in today’s digital age. The same application can be used to apply to more than 400 schools. However, some schools may still supplement the application with essays or questions as part of their individual admissions processes.

Think Big! Big! Think

Save thousands.

Delta costs less than half that of a public university, but you get the same great education. Plus, consider this: Delta has $700,000 in scholarships available, half of Delta’s students get financial assistance and payment plans are available.

• The Huffington Post reports that students who have a first-choice college should apply to it early decision, as early decision has been shown to increase an applicant’s chance of admission by up to 25 percent over regular decision admission rates.

• Applicants should seek recommendations from people who know them best and can provide detailed reasons as to why they are the right fit for a school.

• The Princeton Review says the top

admissions factor at schools is a student’s GPA, underscoring the importance of getting good grades.

• College applicants feeling the stress of the waiting game can rest assured. According to the Cooperative Institutional Research Program at the Higher Education Research Institute at UCLA, more than three-quarters of college applicants get into their first-choice schools.

Advanced degrees are growing in popularity

Many college grads are continuing their educations after earning bachelor’s degrees. Roughly 13.1 percent of American adults have an advanced degree, which is up from 8.6 percent in 2000, according to findings from the U.S. Census Bureau’s Educational Attainment in the United States: 2018. As of 2016, 28.5 percent of Canadians had a bachelor’s degree or higher, says Statistics Canada. The National Student Clearinghouse Research Center says enrollment in graduate programs continues to grow. It rose 3.6 percent in fall 2020 from a year earlier, and 4.4 percent during the spring 2021 semester, perhaps spurred on by the global pandemic and schools’ more flexible course offerings that cater to remote students. Despite their growing popularity, advanced degrees do not always translate into higher salaries or improved job prospects. The research site Educationdata.org says about 9 percent of Americans have master’s degrees, but the degrees increased employability by less

than 3 percent. Furthermore, the cost of a master’s degree nearly doubles the average debt held by people with bachelor’s degrees, according to the personal finance marketplace Credible. In addition, certain business owners may even pass up on applicants with advanced degrees because the students had been in school too long or tended to assume their degrees make them worth more, according to a report by Fox Business. That report indicates less than 10 percent of employers believe colleges do a good job of preparing students for the working world, and many employers value applicants who prioritize real-world experience over schooling. This is information students need to consider when thinking about pursuing advanced degrees.

The college application process involves several steps, many of which begin well before an applicant is ready to sign on the dotted line. These facts and figures can help applicants and their families gain a better understanding of what goes into the college admissions process.

We’re here to get you there, whether you’re ready to get started on a career you know you’ll love or just starting to explore your options for a major.

Learn hands-on in your choice of 180 programs crafted by our industry advisors. Work side-byside with expert faculty who’ve worked in the fields they teach.

Let our experience and partnerships become your edge in the job market.

FUTURE-FOCUSED PROGRAMS

How students can better manage their time

Many people have a lot of demands on their time. There are only so many hours in a day, which means that the sooner a person can develop strategies for managing his or her time efficiently and effectively, the more successful that person can be.

It can be especially important for students to explore ways to improve their time management skills early in their academic careers. Time management involves planning, and that includes allotting time for specific tasks. The following strategies can be useful for anyone looking to manage their time more effectively.

ESTABLISH A DAILY SCHEDULE

Staying the course may require a guideline detailing how you will spend your time. A good part of the day may be taken up by classes and assignments but focusing on the other parts of the day also is key.

Set up a plan for how you will treat each day. Block off specific times for exercise, meals, school, study, and any other responsibilities you have. Time blocking is a format by which you go through the moments of the day. You can block out by the hour or any amount of time you need.

FIGURE OUT WHERE YOU’RE LOSING TIME

You need to know how you’re currently spending your time before you can improve on time management strategies. Spend a few days jotting down a time log. This will help you determine if you’re working efficiently or where you are losing time.

MAKE TIME FOR BREAKS

Burnout can occur when you work yourself too hard. That makes breaks an important part of time management. Breaks allow for time to call loved ones, text with friends, meditate, or engage

in other activities unrelated to school. According to sleep researcher Nathaniel Kleitman, people’s minds naturally crave breaks after 90 minutes of intense work. You may need breaks at different intervals. Learn to read your body’s cues.

BREAK PROJECTS DOWN

Many students avoid projects they feel are huge tasks. Breaking down the larger job into smaller ones can help students stay focused and reward progress. For example, if you need to write a 50-page research paper, make the first task finding source material, the next citing quotes and studies, and then resolve to write a set number of pages per day.

SCHEDULE CLASSES WISELY

Some people are night owls while others thrive in the morning. Set up schedules so

you’re in class when you are at your most productive; otherwise, you could lag and waste time. This may not be possible for high school students, but colleges allow for more flexibility in scheduling.

Time management is an important skill for students to develop. It will help in the classroom and later on when entering the workforce.

How the arts benefit academic performance

The cost of products and services continues to rise and organizations everywhere have increasingly been feeling the pressure to reevaluate budgets. It’s no different in school districts nationwide, with school boards making difficult decisions about which programs to keep and which will have to go in order to save money.

Music and arts programs often are the first to be cut when school budgets are tightened. The organization Save the Music says that, during the Great Recession in 2008 and 2009, per-pupil spending in public schools decreased by approximately 7 percent across the country. This led to a trickle-down effect that resulted in the cancellation of art and music programs. Since then, many districts have continued to cut arts programs due to budget limitations. COVID-19 also did little to help the

situation. Art program cutbacks are rarely met with open arms, and that resistance has a lot to do with the positive effects such offerings have on students’ academic performance.

BETTER TEST PERFORMANCE

Numerous studies have found a correlation between early introduction to music education and a number of benefits for children. Music education can help develop communication

continued | pg 13

PRODUCING REAL OUTCOMES AND CAREER-LONG EARNINGS

Did you know that 95% of our graduates receive career opportunities or gain entrance into graduate programs upon graduation from Detroit Mercy? And in recent years, a study by Georgetown University ranked Detroit Mercy among the top 13% of universities in the U.S. for careerlong earnings.

Learn how you can start building your future virtually and in person by calling 313-993-1245 or visit udmercy.edu/admission. udmercy.edu

admissions@udmercy.edu

4001 W. McNichols Road, Detroit, MI 48221-3038

THE WORLD NEEDS TITANS

At Calvin University, you can dream bigger. Think deeper. Aim higher. Become part of a university that challenges you to go beyond what you ever thought possible as Christ’s agents of renewal in the world.

calvin.edu/go/learn-more

GO BEYOND

skills, brain plasticity, language, and motor skills. A study conducted by the University of California, Los Angeles used a database of more than 25,000 middle and high school students. The researchers found that students involved in arts performed better on standardized achievement tests than students with lower arts involvement. Furthermore, data from 2015 from The College Board, which produces the SAT, found students who took four years of arts and music classes while in high school scored an average of 92 points higher on their SATs than students who only took one-half year or less.

IMPROVED EMOTIONAL STATES

In addition to better performance on tests, a review in Frontiers in Psychology examined several studies linking arts and aesthetic experiences with “broad improvements” in people’s emotional states. Those improvements included greater psychological and physical wellbeing.

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

Participation and even appreciation of the arts can have an impact as well. Researchers from the Department of Public Administration at the University of Illinois Chicago found that being an art curator or audience member leads to high levels of civic engagement and social tolerance. The support and therapy company Evolve Treatment Centers reports that involvement in music and arts leads to overall higher GPAs, higher scores in math and reading and a reduced risk of behavioral problems and suspensions.

Music and arts education are important to students’ development. Keeping these programs alive in schools can benefit students in many ways.

Turn Four Into MORE

that I’m not just studying science—I’m studying history and anthropology. I’m studying economics and policy. It’s really cool to see reflections of a subject I love in new areas.”

biology with a concentration in Thailand

©

Esther Tuttle Photography

Explore these college savings strategies

Enrolling in a trade school or college is widely considered the next step after a student graduates from high school. College is especially popular, as the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that 62.7 percent of high school graduates went on to colleges and universities in 2020. Finding ways to pay for higher education has long been a goal for students and their families. PrepScholar, a college testing preparation resource, calculates that, by 2033, students can expect to pay around $237,000 at in-state public universities and $464,000 at private colleges or universities for four-year degrees. That high cost is why so many families take proactive steps to set aside funds for college soon after their children are born. No matter the situation, taking the steps to plan and save helps to make schooling more affordable.

529 COLLEGE SAVINGS PLAN

A 529 is a specialized savings account for college and university costs. Most

plans can be opened by a U.S. citizen or resident alien age 18 and older. The individual opening the account can be a parent, grandparent, cousin, or even a friend. The student is the beneficiary of the account. Four-year schools, community colleges and vocational/trade schools accept 529 accounts as payment sources. The only requirement is that the school must participate in the U.S. Department of Education student financial aid programs.

EDUCATION SAVINGS ACCOUNT, or Education IRA The financial experts at Ramsey Solutions say an ESA works like a Roth IRA but it is designed specifically for education expenses. Individuals can invest up to $2,000 (after tax) per year, per child. The account grows tax-free. The rate of growth varies based on investments in the account. Ramsey estimates that at an average return rate of 12 percent on a $36,000 investment ($2,000 per year for 18 years) would grow to around $126,000 by

the time the child starts college. An ESA also can be used to pay for K-12 private school tuition, school supplies, tutoring, or textbooks. It also can be transferred to a sibling if the money is not needed for a particular student.

UTMA/UGMA PLAN

This plan is different from ESAs and 529s because it is not specifically designed for college savings. The Uniform Transfer/ Gift to Minors Act is in the child’s name but is controlled by a guardian until the child reaches age 18 or 21. This mutual fund account can be used to save for college with reduced taxes, or funds can be used for other expenses, such as a car or housing.

ADVANCED PLACEMENT CLASSES

AP classes allow high school students to take college-level courses that can be converted into college credits. Each AP class reduces the need to pay for a class in college. This can add up to some significant savings. In addition, performing well in AP classes may make students more attractive to colleges and universities, helping students to earn academic scholarships. Saving for college can start early and there are various vehicles for families to explore.

ANCHORED TUITION PLEDGE

Affordability. Accessibility. Stability. These guiding principles led us to implement the Anchored Tuition Pledge, our assurance to hold tuition in place, at one rate with each incoming class. By “anchoring tuition,” our students pay the same tuition rate* for the duration of their education at Hope. The tuition rate they start with is the tuition rate they end with. We vow to hold your tuition rate constant because we are committed to the ambition of making Hope more affordable and accessible, both now and in the future.

*Room and board costs and other fees are not guaranteed from year to year and could vary with inflation.

Learn more at hope.edu/tuition

We are changing the way the cost of education impacts students and their families, and have made a pledge to anchor tuition for each incoming class.

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Spring Arbor University ranks among the top colleges and universities in Midwest

Spring Arbor University: 150 Years of Christ-Centered Education

While many things have changed at Spring Arbor University since 1873, some things have remained the same – like our commitment to providing an intentionally Christ-centered education for all. e belief that spiritual growth goes hand in hand with academic discovery has been core to our mission for 150 years.

Generations of Spring Arbor students and alumni share stories of a welcoming campus community, meaningful historical traditions, individual life transformation, lifelong friendships, and the unique way students are equipped to love and serve others in their personal and professional lives. Each story reinforces the legacy of unique learning experiences, dedicated faculty and sta , and total commitment to Jesus Christ as the perspective for learning rooted at the heart of Spring Arbor from the beginning.

Spring Arbor University consistently ranks among the top colleges and universities in the U.S. Midwest, and 97% of graduates report that they are employed, enrolled in graduate school, or are otherwise happy with where their degree has led them. SAU graduates are doctors, nurses, engineers, teachers, entrepreneurs, scientists, business executives, and leaders in hundreds of elds - all shining the light of Christ into the world.

Established in 1873, Spring Arbor University’s story began with Edward Payson “E.P.” Hart, a Free Methodist evangelist, and his desire to form “a school devoted to promoting earnest Christianity

and secured a position as a teacher for the Inkster School District, later becoming a school social worker. Johnson went on to distinguish herself as a professional and an activist – inspiring countless people, especially those of her race.

Spring Arbor’s passion for serving minority students continued during the “long, hot summer of 1967” when race riots broke out in the streets of Detroit. Amid the civil unrest, admissions reps and administrators from Spring Arbor drove to Detroit to personally meet with black high school students and invite them to join SAU’s campus.

Spring Arbor saw an additional avenue to provide access to the underserved in 1979 with the development of the Prisoner Education Program (PEP), which allowed inmates at the Southern Michigan State Prison the ability to earn a college degree. Spring Arbor faculty taught classes from a Christ-centered perspective and built a program that quickly became the nation’s largest four-year college degree program for inmates.

Enrolled adults could continue working in their eld while completing their degrees at sites conveniently located in or near their communities. Now called Adult & Graduate programs, this access to education for adult learners is still going strong today with over 20,000 alumni and a variety of adult undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs o ered online, in person, or in a hybrid format.

In recent years, Spring Arbor University has seen signi cant change and growth. Long known as an excellent school for educators and pastors, in the past decade, SAU added over a dozen new elds of study, including STEM-forward programs such as residential nursing, electrical and mechanical engineering, and cybersecurity. ese programs, along with all other areas of study at SAU, provide students the unique opportunity to be educated in their chosen elds through the unique lens of Christ as the perspective for learning.

and sound, solid learning.” As de ned by Hart, the goal of Spring Arbor was to create access to a Christian education for any student, regardless of age, ethnicity, nancial status, gender, physical abilities, race, or religion — an idea that is still core to the mission at SAU today. Providing access for all students to a high-quality, Christ-centered liberal arts education weaves throughout the school’s 150-year history.

When Spring Arbor was rst established, education outside of the home was primarily reserved for men. However, understanding both the individual and societal impact education can have, Spring Arbor not only allowed women to enroll, but the rst two graduates from Spring Arbor in 1881, Alice Felt and Lillian Te , were both women.

Access to a Christ-centered education for international and minority students has also always been a priority for Spring Arbor. Spring Arbor’s rst international student, Peter Magubeni (class of 1907), was referred by Free Methodist missionaries and came to Spring Arbor from South Africa in 1903, when opportunities for international students to study in the United States were limited.

en, less than two decades later, Spring Arbor’s rst black student, Olive Johnson (class of 1924), enrolled at Spring Arbor. Olive became a well-respected and beloved student at Spring Arbor. A er graduating, she found it di cult to nd employment because of her race, but she persevered

e results were overwhelming – the recidivism rates for Spring Arbor graduates were drastically lower than the national average, proving that access to college courses taught by compassionate professors who shared their love of knowledge and Jesus Christ genuinely made a di erence in prisoner rehabilitation.

Inspired by the success of PEP, Spring Arbor looked for additional ways to provide access to a Christ-centered education to even more people groups. In the early 1980s, an adult degree-completion program brought Christ-centered education to sites around Michigan and northern Ohio.

Along with receiving a top-tier liberal arts education, Spring Arbor University students are challenged to grow their relationship with Jesus Christ, embrace academic challenges, and become critical participants in the world around them. Spring Arbor University remains a stronghold – deeply rooted in their founding principles and providing access to a Christ-centered education for students from all walks of life. During our Sesquicentennial year, Spring Arbor University celebrates the pioneering spirit of the people and stories of our rst 150 years, and eagerly anticipates the amazing things God has in store for the future of SAU.