Shenandoah University Named A 2026-27 College Of Distinction

Shenandoah University has been named a 2026-27 College of Distinction, marking the seventh straight year that it has earned the designation reserved for colleges and universities who remain committed to the undergraduate student experience.

This recognition signifies Shenandoah’s adherence to what Colleges of Distinction calls its Four Distinctions: Engaged Students, Great Teaching, Vibrant Community, and Successful Outcomes. Rather than relying on endowment figures or selectivity rates, Colleges of Distinction conducts in-depth research and direct interviews with each institution, selecting only those whose campuses reflect a genuine, student-first philosophy.

In addition to earning overall College of Distinction status, Shenandoah was recognized in the categories of Nursing, Business, Education, Career Development, Equity & Inclusion, and Military Support for the 2026-27 academic year.

It’s an honor for Shenandoah University to be recognized as a College of Distinction for the seventh straight year. We’re proud of the educational experience we’re able to provide our students, which so often extends beyond our classrooms into our local community, across the nation and throughout the world. Because of these opportunities, our students leave Shenandoah prepared to land great jobs in their chosen fields and make lasting contributions to our global society.”

Tracy Fitzsimmons, Ph.D., Shenandoah University President

Colleges of Distinction was founded on the conviction that the most meaningful measure of a college is the experience it provides, not its place in a numerical ranking. At Shenandoah, students are active participants in their own education through undergraduate research and collaborative coursework, immersive service-learning and experiential learning opportunities, mentored internships, and much more.

“No two students arrive on campus with the same goals, background, or definition of success,” said Tyson Schritter, chief operating officer at Colleges of Distinction. “The institutions we recognize understand that. Shenandoah University has built an environment where students are supported and challenged in ways that translate into real academic, professional, and personal outcomes.”

Notable Shenandoah University programs and offerings include:

• The Global Citizenship Project (GCP) and Global Experiential Learning (GEL) Program
• Summer Scholars and other summer programs
• Shenandoah Conservatory performances and ShenCoLAB
• Internships, work-study positions and other hands-on experiential learning opportunities across a variety of disciplines
• Small class sizes
• Distance/online and hybrid learning
• Accelerated degree programs
• Study abroad
• Shenandoah Conversations
• Shenandoah University Research Expo (SURE)
• Mosaic Center for Diversity & Inclusion
• First-Year Seminar (FYS)
• ShenEd Town Hall
• Honors Program
• Pre-Health Program
• Center for Civic Engagement
• National and international Spiritual Life trips
• 23 intercollegiate athletic programs
• Shenandoah Veterans and Supporters and the Veterans, Military and Families Center

To learn more about Shenandoah University, visit su.edu or the university’s profile page at CollegesofDistinction.com.

About Colleges of Distinction
Since 2000, Colleges of Distinction has been committed to recognizing schools across the United States for their exceptional contributions to higher education. Member institutions within the Colleges of Distinction consortium distinguish themselves through their unwavering focus on providing an outstanding undergraduate experience. Its website offers dynamic college profiles, customized tools, and valuable resources for students, parents, and high school counselors. For more information and to discover how to become a College of Distinction, visit CollegesofDistinction.com.

About Shenandoah UniversityShenandoah University was established in 1875, and is headquartered at the top of Virginia, in Winchester, Virginia, with additional educational sites in Clarke and Loudoun counties, and online offerings. Shenandoah is a private, nationally recognized university that blends professional career experiences with wide-ranging education. With over 4,400 students in more than 200 areas of study in six different schools, Shenandoah promotes a close-knit community rich in creative energy and intellectual challenge. Shenandoah students collaborate with accomplished professors who provide focused, individual attention, all the while leading several programs to be highly nationally ranked. Through innovative partnerships and programs at both the local and global level, there are exceptional opportunities for students to learn in and out of the classroom. Shenandoah empowers its students to improve the human condition and to be principled professionals and leaders wherever they go. For more information, visit su.edu.