During your college search, you may find lists and rankings of schools with the “Best Undergraduate Teaching,” “Best College Professors,” or “Unusually Accessible Teachers.” Great colleges and universities hold themselves in high esteem because of top-notch faculty and resources they provide for their students. Every academic year, they celebrate and honor the performance of their faculty and staff—and you can tell a lot about a school by the staff and faculty it employs. Universities and colleges should not only educate students but inspire them, along with the academic and neighboring communities. Here are five colleges that are known for high-caliber faculty members who inspire their students.
Washington University in St. Louis
Washington University in St. Louis provides its students with a high-quality education and access to renowned researchers and other resources. The faculty and staff prepare undergraduate students for graduate school and the professional world. The programs in the Schools of Law and Medicine are renowned, and the University's trustees are men and women to take inspiration from; members like Gaurav Garg, Anna Manning, and Henry Warshaw are CEOs and founders on the board that students can look up to.
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Baylor College of Medicine
Baylor College of Medicine is a private health sciences institution that’s a part of Baylor University. The school provides exceptional instruction to students, supports them in their academic and professional careers, and prides itself on sharing knowledge and inspiring students to practice medicine. Recently, the College appointed new board members to develop and approve the school’s mission. Such members include Fayez Sarofim & Co. chairman Christopher Sarofim and Vinmar International founder Vijay Goradia. Schools with faculty members in high positions at companies that care about the community inspire students to become strong, compassionate leaders.
Fisher College of Business
Fisher College of Business at The Ohio State University—Columbus is a public research university. The College’s faculty stresses the importance of students to having one-on-one time with their professors, as paying attention to each individual student is crucial. Fisher College has concentrations in Accounting, Entrepreneurship, Finance, Human Resources, Leadership, Marketing, and much more. The School only accepts a small number of students each year to better individually guide every student through academics and set them on the best career path for them. Fisher College President Steven Rich has helped the school grow and has spent most of his career in leadership positions, even serving the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children.
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Mayo Clinic College of Medicine & Science
The Mayo Clinic College of Medicine & Science is a renowned, private, graduate-only research university. Located in Rochester, Minnesota, it provides a specialized curriculum to train physicians, health professionals, and scientists. Mayo Clinic has a reputation for small class sizes and a lot of one-on-one attention, with instructors heavily involved in the academic journey of every student. Likewise, they’re willing to help their students learn beyond the classroom. An inspiring school puts knowledge first and is willing to help their students grow, just as Mayo Clinic does. On its board of trustees is Sam Di Piazza, recipient of the Ellis Island Medal of Honor. The College’s faculty members also include accomplished scientists, award winners, recognized authors, and talented physicians.
Fordham University
Fordham University is a private research university in the Bronx, New York, with a reputation for having a strong sense of community. The University not only values its students but provides them with access to opportunities around the world. The faculty and staff are top-notch and care about their students; many of the professors who work at Fordham also teach at Columbia University. With small class sizes, every student can count on individual attention and help outside of class if needed. Even the board members themselves have made contributions toward the University, like helping build new residence halls, a new law school, and more.
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The importance of dedicated faculty
Colleges and universities can help build a student’s mind by providing a foundation for future and current professionals; not only do colleges help provide students with structure during their education, but as part of the alumni, graduates often have a valuable networking community for the rest of their lives as well. Faculty and staff are an important but perhaps overlooked aspect to think about during your college search. The faculty members at your future college should have successful professional lives and stories that you can learn from—inspiring you to be the best you can possibly be.
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