While some rankings for higher educational institutions are based on enrollment numbers and degree opportunities, the recent designation of an Opportunity College by the Carnegie Classification stems from an evaluation of what NSU students have done after graduation. According to Carnegie, NSU is more profession-focused and its alumni are likely to earn more than their contemporaries.

“The data shows NSU is doing very well,” said Ronald Chenail, Ph.D., NSU executive vice president, provost, and chief academic officer. “We’re the only institution in the country that’s a private, R1 research, profession-focused, opportunity college. We’re not bragging if it’s true.”

The Carnegie Classification is based on data from IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System), which collects data annually from every college, university, and technical and vocational institution that participates in federal student financial aid programs. When compared to other profession-focused institutions, taking into consideration our multiple locations and variety of delivery systems, NSU ranks highly and that’s why it was designated an Opportunity University.

While this recognition is noteworthy and certainly a selling point for the school, NSU has always been known for the opportunities it provides students, especially in helping them prepare to be career ready. Our faculty members connect and focus on our students, sharing their professional experiences and providing a positive outlook. Whatever challenges or new technologies arise, NSU finds a solution that maintains those relationships.

“That’s been a big part of our culture, to embrace whatever is next—large data sets, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence,” Chenail said. “We find out how to use it best, build it into our research, and pass that on to our students.”

So, how can donors continue to help the university and its graduates succeed?

By establishing scholarships, donors simplify financial stress and demonstrate to students that NSU invests in their future. Endowments for professors and department chairs are another critical piece. NSU strives to recruit and retain faculty members who are prepared to share their expertise and explore the future and that requires support.

NSU also has unique opportunities for donors to align their gifts with topics they are passionate about. Naming rights are available for both the newly restructured College of Computing, AI, and Cybersecurity, as well as the College of Dentistry. In addition, the university has numerous emerging labs and research centers that can also be named, providing faculty members and students with foundational equipment and facilities needed to discover the next technological asset or treatment for disease.

In all of these cases, NSU and its donors are creating opportunities for students, which translates into greater success when they enter their chosen profession.

“Whether it’s student scholarships or naming opportunities with research centers and emergent colleges, I think we have great opportunities for donors to invest in the future.

“And, because of the transparency with the data, we can show donors that there’s a good return on investment,” Chenail said. “I hope donors take a great deal of satisfaction that they help NSU to help students outperform their contemporaries across the country.”