John Carroll University is Investing in the Student Experience

Dear Incoming Students & Families,

Long before the Covid era, higher education research showed that the single biggest predictor of student success and wellbeing was someone’s ability to form meaningful relationships — with peers, faculty, roommates, tutors, advisors, coaches, and potential employers. Our residence life, athletics, campus ministry, and wellness and academic support teams see this play out first hand.

We must answer one question with each investment we make as a University: will this decision improve the experience of our students? Our move to a three-year residency requirement acknowledges that pandemic-era restrictions and limitations leave incoming students with particular support needs. Our “bridge” approach will ensure ongoing engagement and lead to improved persistence, happiness, graduation, and professional success.

As part of a larger focus on student formation, we are investing in student wellness on multiple fronts: emotional, social, cognitive, character and mindset. A third year of university residence experience will encourage students as they learn to manage their own learning, navigate intrapersonal dynamics, engage each other in civil and productive debate, and grow comfortable giving and receiving feedback and accepting disappointments when things do not go their way. Employers tell us that this kind of practice at “adulting” is how we truly prepare our students for inspired futures.

Current third- and fourth-year students who commit to university housing demonstrate why proximity matters. These students consistently access educationally beneficial activities, and people. They benefit from more facetime with faculty and advisors, and seek a deeper and more sustained engagement with wellness, ministry, student leadership and academic support.

You are an important part of John Carroll’s future. Our investments are intertwined with your journey and future success. We are excited to share more updates with you in the coming months.

Sincerely,

Alan R. Miciak

President