Assumption Receives National Endorsement for Education, Business Programs 

Colleges of Distinction has recognized Assumption for providing its students with well-rounded educational experiences in the areas of business and education in its 2020-21 rankings. The organization wrote that Assumption has “excelled at having students graduate and enter the workforce with solid, well-developed critical thinking skills as well as the ability to adapt in an ever-changing society.”

Already honored as a College of Distinction for its high-impact approach to education, Assumption has received specialized recognition in business and education. According to the organization, these additional accolades were borne out of a need for college curricula that are comprehensive not only in course material, but also in practical- and soft-skills development. Assumption has met these needs with a blend of liberal arts education, program-specific training, and abundant opportunities for real-world application.

Colleges of Distinction states that institutions earning the education designation “graduate future educators who are not only knowledgeable, but also efficient mentors who provide empathetic support and novel teaching methods.” Assumption’s education program is one of only three in Massachusetts to be “Approved with Distinction” by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), the highest level of approval awarded by the Department.  A combination of coursework, fieldwork, and student teaching prepare graduates to be successful, licensed teachers in elementary, middle and secondary school settings in Massachusetts. 

“Like many of Assumption’s academic programs, a cornerstone of our successful education program is hands-on experience,” said Paula Fitzpatrick, Ph.D., dean of the College of the Liberal Arts at Assumption. “Professors in Assumption’s Department of Education, many of whom are former teachers themselves, have an ongoing collaboration with local public and private schools, allowing students to engage in real classroom instruction. This experiential learning, complemented by a rigorous curriculum, ensure that our graduates become successful teachers who will make an impact in the lives of their future students.” 

In order to earn accolades for one’s business programs, Colleges of Distinction states that program must promote effective communication and apt problem-solving strategies, as well as “keep their future leaders adaptable as they grow alongside their industry.” The newly established Grenon School of Business offers dynamic course instruction grounded in the liberal arts in the areas of accounting, international business, economics, management, marketing, and organizational communication. In May, Assumption announced a new major in finance, which will be complemented by an interactive trading room made possible through the generosity of Jeff ’76 and Sue (Daley) ’80 Lagarce and housed in the state-of-the-art Tsotsis Family Academic Center. 

“Through innovative partnerships with local businesses and a number of experiential learning opportunities, the Grenon School of Business strives to provide students with an engaging, yet informative, education, both inside and outside of the classroom,” said Joseph T. Foley, founding dean of the Grenon School of Business. “Our faculty, many of whom are practitioners in their respective fields, teach students critical and creative thinking skills, problem solving methods, and communication and teamwork skills, while placing emphasis on ethical and socially responsible business practices. These desirable characteristics will allow them not only to excel, but to lead the way in their respective fields.” 

“We complete a thorough review of the programs before granting the honors,” said Tyson Schritter, Chief Operating Officer for Colleges of Distinction. “We’re looking for qualities such as accreditation, breadth of program, advising and mentoring, integration of career services, and successful outcomes for students. It’s wonderful to see how Assumption really exemplifies these qualities.”

For more information on Assumption’s nationally recognized programs, visit the education and business program pages.