Coker College Honored as a College of Distinction

HARTSVILLE, SC – Coker College has been honored as a College of Distinction for the 2014-2015 school year. Coker is one of a select group of colleges to earn this prestigious designation, based on its excellence in four areas: engaged students, great teaching, vibrant campus communities and successful outcomes. This is the fourth consecutive year that Coker has been selected.

“The Colleges of Distinction recognition is especially meaningful to me because it affirms those things we believe are central to the Coker College experience,” said provost Tracy Parkinson. “At Coker, we seek to foster a community in which students are uniquely engaged with teaching that inspires and motivates them, and in which we define our success by that of our students.”

High school college counselors and educators nominate colleges and universities for recognition by Colleges of Distinction, which then evaluates each school based on qualitative and quantitative research. The colleges and universities are not ranked and instead are members of a consortium of other impressive schools. This year, Coker is one of only 294 schools nationwide and seven in South Carolina to be selected.

Colleges of Distinction aims to look beyond rankings and test scores to find colleges that are ideal places to learn, grow and succeed. The selection process reviews such factors as the school’s first year experience, general education program, experiential components of the curriculum, the strategic plan and alumni success and satisfaction.

“We focus on colleges that are deeply dedicated to students’ learning,” said Tyson Schritter, executive editor of Colleges of Distinction. “Schools designated as ‘Colleges of Distinction’ offer innovative learning experiences that educate, nurture and transform students.”

To view Coker’s profile or to find more information about the online guide, visit www.collegesofdistinction.com.