National Awards Highlight Belhaven's Academic Excellence in Higher Ed

October 17, 2024 (Jackson, Miss.) - Colleges of Distinction, a national guide for college-bound students, awarded Belhaven University the three major awards for its commitment to higher education.

Belhaven University is one of only three universities in Mississippi to earn the prestigious title 2024-2025 College of Distinction. This is the 15th consecutive year Belhaven has earned this national award.

Belhaven was the only Mississippi institution honored as a top Christian university. This is the 14th year the University earned the title Christian College of Distinction. The University was also honored with a third award, the 2024-2025 Mississippi College of Distinction, that recognized its educational impact within the state.

“Our 15-year recognition as a College of Distinction underscores Belhaven University's relentless pursuit of educational excellence and innovation,” said Dr. Kevin Russell, Vice President for Enrollment and Marketing. “This honor reflects the dedication of our faculty and staff, who consistently go above and beyond to create a dynamic and engaging learning environment that empowers our students to thrive both academically and spiritually.”

Four distinctions determine if an institution is recognized as a College of Distinction. The four requirements include engaged students, great teaching, vibrant community, and successful outcomes. Each institution’s freshman experience is reviewed as well as its general education program, strategic plan, alumni success, and satisfaction measures.

“We believe that engaged students are successful students,” said Tyson Schritter, Chief Operating Officer at Colleges of Distinction. “Belhaven University’s dedication to experiential learning shows us that each of its students has the opportunity to play an active role in their education. Belhaven University's inclusion as a College of Distinction is a testament to the way it caters to its own students’ potential and goals, helping them achieve success in unique ways that cannot be ranked against others.”

Colleges of Distinction recognized Belhaven University’s unique learning environment where students not only earn college credit and valuable life experience, but also participate in character-building seminars, service-learning programs, diversity and global learning programs, interdisciplinary programs, collaborative assignments and projects, undergraduate research projects, living-learning communities, common intellectual experiences capstone projects, study abroad programs and internships.