COD 2020January 13, 2020 (Jackson, Miss.) - Colleges of Distinction recognized Belhaven University's School of Nursing, School of Business, and School of Education for their quality and programming, and awarded them top honors.

Dr. Amy Rex Smith, dean of Belhaven's School of Nursing, believes strong faculty, connections with students, and commitment to academic excellence is key to the department's success. “Our graduation rates, licensure pass-rates, and high-employment rates are a testament to the value of our nursing program,” adds Smith.

Colleges of Distinction evaluates schools based on their ability to provide a high-quality student experience, as well as a thorough liberal arts education. They granted these awards after a comprehensive vetting process, selecting schools based on such qualities as accreditation, breadth of program, and a track record for success.

“We engage our students through case studies, internships, and simulations to fully prepare them for positions of servant leadership upon graduation,” said Belhaven School of Business Dean Dr. Chip Mason. “Our business faculty deserve much of the credit for this recognition. They are all dedicated teachers who are focused on each student reaching their highest potential in the world of business.”

Dr. David Hand, dean of Belhaven's School of Education, believes that experience is the best preparation for candidates to have a positive impact on student learning. To accomplish this, the education program “created school partnerships with a variety of schools and school districts to ensure that our candidates experience high quality clinical practices in diverse school settings.”

Hand adds, “At its core, the Christian Worldview infused into all coursework is what sets our department's future teachers and educators apart from other universities. The School of Education's highly qualified faculty members all hold Doctorates in Education and have many years of experience in K-12 classrooms.Several professors are National Board Certified and maintain their certification.”