College Connection: Southwestern University
Southwestern University, a CTCL School
Welcome to Southwestern University, where a vibrant and inclusive campus culture fosters academic success, personal growth, and a strong sense of community. It’s also a member of Colleges That Change Lives, a group of 40+ small liberal arts colleges that are gems. In this blog post, I’ll share some key aspects of student life, academic support, career services, and more that make Southwestern stand out.
This is a STUNNING campus, despite it being the oldest university in the state of Texas! There’s plenty of green space with gorgeous live oaks lining walkways. Located about 30 minutes from Austin, Southwestern is anchored in Georgetown–an adorable town filled with history. During my tour, we even got a historical tour of the town square by a knowledgeable member of the Williamson County Historical Society. The campus is only about a 10 minute walk from the downtown area.
Not only was the campus visually stunning, the people there are great, too. (Huge shoutout to the fantastic admissions staff that put on an information-packed fun counselor fly-in!) What I immediately noticed is that the faculty, students, and staff are all on the same page about the identity of Southwestern University. Everyone clearly loved living and working there, and their pride in the institution showed!
Campus Diversity and the Student Body:
Pirates for Pride-LGBTQ Organization: A community that not only raises substantial funds but also celebrates diversity and inclusivity.
DEI VP Hiring: A commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion with the upcoming addition of a Vice President dedicated to these values.
Advising Excellence: Immediate advising for students, ensuring a smooth transition into classes or when declaring a major.
Transfer Student Experience: Specialized entry seminars for transfer students, with over 50 transfers last year.
Student Athletes: A significant portion, 35-40%, are student-athletes participating in Division III sports.
Campus Life highlights:
There’s a cat colony living on the campus grounds, adding a furry element to university life. I’m sure they never have to worry about a mice problem! (As a crazy cat lady, this might have been my favorite part)
Greek Life: 1/3 of students are involved in a Greek organization, emphasizing the importance of community bonds and shared values.
JEDI Center: Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion at the forefront of campus initiatives.
Fitness and Wellness: there is a credit requirement for fitness and wellness, promoting a holistic approach to student well-being.
Outdoor Recreation: the university takes students on adventures, showcasing the university's commitment to unique experiences. Recently, a group of students climbed Kilimanjaro, spending a whole week in Africa. The university highly subsidized this experience, so each student only had to pay $500 total for the trip.
Academic Success and Support:
Faculty Engagement: A dedicated teaching staff that clearly loves working at Southwestern University.
Advising Structure: There are 6 academic advising staff that work with each first year student to plan courses and majors. After the first year, students are transferred to faculty advisors.
Academic Programs: Internships counting towards academic credit, there’s extensive funding for faculty and student research projects, and support for other unpaid internships.
Technology: WiFi extensions in dorm suites, ensuring connectivity for all students.
Fine Arts:
The ensembles are open to anyone who would like to perform! Auditions are required for those who wish to be music majors.
Visual art, theatre, musical theatre, and architecture are also areas of study.
Scholarships are available for non-music and non-art majors, incentivizing students to continue their art in college, even if they’re not majoring.
Athletics:
Diverse Division 3 Athletics Program: 20 sports, including a notable varsity lacrosse team.
Inclusive Opportunities: Intramural sports, pep band, and active recruitment for all athletes.
Housing and Student Life:
Inclusive Housing: Accommodating gender preferences on housing forms, promoting an accepting community.
Student Conduct: Emphasizing that Greek life is not solely about partying but values diversity in leadership and maintains a polite student body. Students also abide by an honor code, both in academics in the social environment.
Majority on Campus: 80% of students choose to live on campus for all four years, contributing to a strong sense of community.
Career Services:
Alumni Engagement: Lifelong career services for alumni, including mentoring programs and a platform called Pirate Connect.
Career Development: career fairs every semester, industry field trips, and insightful conversations with professionals in the field.
Health and Wellness:
Comprehensive Health Center: Full-time RN, access to birth control and Plan B, and a team of mental health professionals.
Mental Health Support: No wait lists for counseling, session limits, or charges. They also offer group therapy and a 24/7 crisis line.
Southwestern University stands out as a campus that not only prioritizes academic success but also creates an inclusive and supportive environment for all students. From unique campus features to robust academic and career support, Southwestern is a university that values the holistic well-being and success of its students.
