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Before Eric Moore '21 officially became a Charger, he visited the University of New 51¶ºÄÌ four times, eager to learn about the forensic science program and to get an inside look at campus life. He says the small class sizes, the experienced and engaging professors, and the opportunity to build lasting relationships with them especially impressed him.

Today, he's an academic liaison for the Henry C. Lee College of Criminal Justice and Forensic Sciences, and he is grateful for the many opportunities he has had at the University.

"Attending student government meetings and professional forensic science conferences have been unforgettable and a great way to learn from other students and industry leaders," he said. "The opportunities I have had that have enabled me to grow the most have been connecting with the people on campus – from the dean and provost to the amazing crossing guard at Charger Plaza to the new friends and classmates who have shared their successes and challenges with me. I have so much more perspective and knowledge than I could have imagined prior to coming to the University."

'Leaders in the careers of the future'

The experiences of Moore and his classmates embody why the University has been featured for the fifth consecutive year in annual guidebook of the country's best colleges and universities.

In the University's profile in the company's students cited the forensics and criminal justice programs that "are among the top of their kind in the nation" and the "down to earth professors" who "are amazing and want to help in any way they can."

A resource for students, families, and high school guidance counselors, the annual guidebook is one of The Princeton Review's most popular publications. Its rankings are based on the surveys of 143,000 students from across the country who rated their schools on dozens of topics and reported their campus experiences. The organization selects the colleges based on data it collects each year from administrators at hundreds of colleges about their institutions' academic offerings.

"In everything we do, the University of New 51¶ºÄÌ demonstrates its ability to be a leading institution of higher learning for the 21st century," says President Steven H. Kaplan, Ph.D. "It is gratifying – and a reflection of the talented and dedicated members of our University community – that The Princeton Review has again recognized the University's ability to create new and innovative learning opportunities that are preparing our students to be leaders in their careers of the future and role models in their communities."

'Set me up for success'

In addition to the University's "refreshingly diverse campus," students said there are "so many clubs on campus, and that students participate in a range of activities." A student also shared that "every student is involved in some way on the campus and loves being there."

Micaela O'Shea '21 says the programs and opportunities available to her at the University have shaped her as a student and as a future professional. A national security major, she is member of the University's award-winning Model United Nations program, which she credits with enabling her to develop her public speaking, leadership, and research skills. She says it also helped her to build confidence, which emboldened her to take advantage of other opportunities, including the University's Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship program.

"I came into the Model UN program so shy that I couldn't even ask questions in class, but after giving a speech at a conference in front of 200 other people, I can honestly say I am a more confident person," said O'Shea, who also studied at the University's Tuscany Campus in Prato, Italy. "Model UN and the subsequent experiences I had as a result of the program have greatly prepared me with the personal and professional skills that have set me up for success."

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