Recent reforms at Otterbein University have the institution's reputation on the rise.
The university was recently ranked No. 7 on the U.S. News & World Report's "Up and Coming" list, part of the annual guide to America's Best Colleges.
The colleges on this list are nominated by other area schools that see the changes and hard work different schools are putting forth. The list considers several different categories of improvement, including academics and student life.
"I think it's great when the institution can get a third-party endorsement to bring attention to us and the work that we do," said Thomas Stein, vice president of Enrollment Management.
President Kathy Krendl is honored and excited about the ranking.
"We were selected by colleagues who were asked to name an institution that had recently made ‘the most promising and innovative changes in the areas of academics, faculty, student life, campus or facilities,'" said Krendl. "For Otterbein's name to be nominated frequently enough to be on the list of top institutions means that our reputation for being innovative and progressive is spreading rapidly."
According to Stein, enrollment for this year was significantly higher than in past years, and the university has worked hard to make that happen. Currently, the Office of Admission is setting enrollment goals for next year and is expecting a high number again.
Otterbein also ranked No. 16 out of 146 schools in the Midwest's Regional University category for America's Best Colleges by the U.S. News Media Group. Out of Ohio's 15 schools in the category, Otterbein ranked fourth.
"I thought we would have been ranked higher with all the programs we have," said freshman nursing major Jakara Baldwin.
To qualify for the category, an institution must offer a full range of undergraduate and some master's programs. Currently, Otterbein offers masters' in business, education and nursing. A doctorate in nursing is in development.
As new changes are scheduled to take place next year, such as the semester conversion and the addition and deletion of some majors and minors, Otterbein could climb up the list even further. "I didn't hear about Otterbein until my junior year," said freshman physical therapy major Mariah Smith. "It makes me feel better about coming here," she said of Otterbein's rank.
"We are offering new programs, entering new partnerships and serving new audiences as we begin a new era in the history of our institution as Otterbein University. It's an exciting time," Krendl said. t&c;
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