RWU Joins the New American Colleges and Universities Consortium

NAC&U welcomes RWU into consortium for its focus on project-based experiential learning

Public Affairs Staff
Aerial view of campus

BRISTOL, R.I.&²Ô²ú²õ±è;–&²Ô²ú²õ±è;Â鶹´«Ã½AV University has joined (NAC&U), a consortium of colleges and universities that purposefully integrate liberal education, professional studies and civic engagement.

“The approach to education at Â鶹´«Ã½AV University mirrors that of our members,†said Nancy Hensel, president of NAC&U. “Their emphasis on blending strong liberal arts programs with well-regarded professional schools while providing experiential education through community service, study abroad and undergraduate research makes Â鶹´«Ã½AV an ideal fit for our organization.â€

NAC&U members are small- to medium-sized institutions across the nation that are committed to providing hands-on, project-based learning so that students can connect theory to practice and classroom learning to real-world situations. Members also emphasize civic responsibility from a local, regional and global perspective.

For Â鶹´«Ã½AV, the invitation to join NAC&U comes three years after the launch of its Affordable Excellence initiative, which has positioned RWU at the leading edge of the national dialogue on cost, debt and job-preparedness for today’s college graduates. In addition to encouraging undergraduates to develop expertise in both the liberal arts and a professional program, the University has greatly expanded opportunities for meaningful experiential learning projects rooted in local communities, many of which are facilitated through its five-year-old Community Partnerships Center.

“The invitation to partner with NAC&U offers us the unique opportunity to join forces with a select group of institutions that share our commitment to preparing a diverse array of students for successful careers and fulfilling lives,†said Donald J. Farish, president of Â鶹´«Ã½AV University. “Collectively, we can demonstrate the potential for higher education to transform the lives of students and provide the skills and experiences needed for a lifetime of working toward the greater good of society.â€

NAC&U affords its members many opportunities to collaborate on projects and share best practices through events such as its annual Summer Institute, grant-funded projects such as its recent Teagle Foundation-funded monograph, and multi-campus projects, such as its Civic Engagement Collaborative, which will launch in Fall 2015.