Arizona State University has been named the most innovative school in the nation for the fourth year in a row by U.S. News and World Report. Recognizing the university’s culture of groundbreaking research and partnerships, as well as its commitment to helping students thrive in college and beyond, the annual ranking compares more than 1,500 institutions placing ASU ahead of Stanford and MIT.
College presidents, provosts and admissions deans around the country nominated up to 15 schools that are making the most innovative improvements to curriculum, faculty, students, campus life, technology or facilities.
“More than simply tallying the innovative things we do, this ranking recognizes ASU’s innovation mindset,” said ASU President Michael M. Crow. “It acknowledges something important about who we are and who we will continue to be: a university that brings diverse intellects together to solve the most pressing issues of our time.”
The “most innovative school” ranking wasn’t the result of any one specific program. Innovation has become part of ASU’s culture over the years. ASU Online continues to scale digital learning by making online courses accessible to anyone and by forming unique partnerships to further advance in the degrees they offer.
ASU partnered with the National World War II Museum to offer an online master’s degree in World War II studies taught by scholars from both institutions. History enthusiasts can now take non-credit online courses through the program as well. ASU is also the first university to offer a virtual-reality biology lab for online students, who use headsets to manipulate DNA and complete dissections. Each partnership removes barriers for students to attend a national-ranked university, like the Starbucks College Achievement Plan, and offers them a wide variety of options when it comes to students continuing their education.
ASU Online continues to grow by leaps and bounds with more than 30,000 students enrolled in more than 175 undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Whatever the cutting-edge initiative maybe, Arizona State University continues to make progress as the fastest-growing research university in the country, and the most innovative university for the fourth year in a row.
Read the full article at ASU Now.