Hood College Business, Nursing, Education Programs Earn National Distinctions

Hood College has been named a 2024-45 National and Maryland College of Distinction and Maryland College of Distinction by Colleges of Distinction (COD). The College’s nursing, business and education programs were also named as programs of distinction by COD. Hood College and Hood's undergraduate nursing, business and education programs have earned national distinctions from COD for each of the last three academic years.

Hood's undergraduate BSN is the College's fastest-growing undergraduate program, fueled by newly-established dedicated clinical simulation and classroom spaces for Hood nursing students in the Ruth Whitaker Holmes School of Behavioral and Health Sciences, as well as Hood's continuing partnership with Frederick Health, the largest healthcare provider in Frederick County.

The George B. Delaplaine School of Business touts a dedicated space for business students and creates a hub for social entrepreneurship in the community, evidenced by the opening of the Michael S. & Marlene B. Grossnickle Young Data Driven Frederick Center, a state-of-the-art classroom that serves as a centralized repository of information about the region’s health, economy, social welfare, land use and infrastructure.

Hood's undergraduate education programs achieved high student outcome success, leveraging partnerships with organizations such as the Teachers of Promise program to ensure graduates are fully prepared for their careers. Hood education students also earn real-world experience at the Georgetown Hill Hood College Lab School, an on-campus preschool designed to support children’s development and classroom research bysupervised college students.

Established in 2000, the COD selection process comprises a sequence of in-depth research and detailed interviews, accepting only those that adhere to four distinctions: engaged students, great teaching, vibrant community, and successful outcomes. Informed by high-impact practices, these distinctions prioritize how institutions enable students to have a fulfilling, individualized college experience both inside and outside the classroom.

“A college degree opens the door to many opportunities,” said Tyson Schritter, Chief Operating Officer at Colleges of Distinction. “But a truly worthwhile education prepares students to thrive once they walk through that door. Hood College‘s curriculum encourages meaningful student-faculty collaboration through experiential learning that is relevant and applicable to the real world.” To be listed among the Colleges of Distinction, Hood demonstrated its unique ways of helping students be active in their education.

Schritter continued, "We are so impressed to see how Hood brings life to the traditional undergraduate experience. With a welcoming community, an immersive curriculum, and strong support networks, Hood College is undoubtedly nurturing the growth of tomorrow’s leaders.”

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