NASHVILLE (TSU News Service) – Washington Monthly has named Tennessee State University as one of the nation’s top universities in its 2011 College Rankings. Of the 258 universities ranked, TSU was ranked in the top 15 percent in the country at number 40, and number one in the state because of its success in educating and graduating academically talented, low-income students who become service-oriented leaders in their professions and communities.

Unlike other rankings that focus on what colleges do primarily for the good of individual students, Washington Monthly’s rankings focus on what colleges are doing for the good of the country through the way they educate their students. The publication measured three core metrics—social mobility (admitting and graduating low-income students), research (producing cutting-edge scholarships and Ph.D. production) and community service (encouraging students to give back to the community)— to determine their rankings.

Washington Monthly’s editors state, “Colleges and universities do as much to shape the future as any institutions you can think of. They conduct cutting-edge research that drives economic growth, provide upward mobility to people of humble birth, and mold the characters of tomorrow’s leaders. And they are supported in these endeavors with hundreds of billions of dollars in government subsidies. So we all have a stake in knowing how well schools fulfill their public missions.”

Other universities from Tennessee receiving rankings included Vanderbilt University (59), University of Memphis (158), University of Tennessee (178), East Tennessee State University (225), and Trevecca Nazarene University (247).

TSU adds this recognition to its list of accolades. The University was recently designated as a Military Friendly School, received a Top 20 ranking for HBCUs by U.S. News and World Report, and saw record enrollment for the 2011-2012 academic year.

The 2011 Washington Monthly College Rankings and guide will appear in the October issue of the printed magazine and online http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/college_guide/rankings_2011/national_university_rank.php.

NASHVILLE (TSU News Service) – “G.I. Jobs,” the premier magazine for military personnel transitioning into civilian life, has awarded Tennessee State University the designation of Military Friendly School.

The 2012 Military Friendly Schools honors the top 20 percent of colleges, universities and trade schools that are doing the most to embrace America’s military service members and veterans as students.

In its continuing effort to help student veterans find the right school, G.I. Jobs incorporated a survey of student veterans for the first time this year. This feedback provides prospective military students with insight into the student veteran experience at a particular institution based on peer reviews.

The 2012 list of Military Friendly Schools was compiled through extensive research and a data-driven survey of more than 8,000 schools nationwide. The 1,518 colleges, universities and trade schools on this year’s list prioritize the recruitment of students with military experience. These schools are making the grade by offering scholarships and discounts, veterans’ clubs, full-time staff, military credit and other services to those who served.

Methodology, criteria and weighting for the list were developed with the assistance of an Academic Advisory Board (AAB) consisting of educators from schools across the country.

For more information, contact Admissions @ 888-463-6878 toll-free or 
615-963-5101.

NASHVILLE (TSU News Service) – Tennessee State University has earned a top 20 ranking for Historically Black Colleges and Universities according to a just released report from U.S. News and World Report.

The report on the Best College Rankings for 2012 has TSU listed at number 18 out of 79 private and public HBCUs surveyed. Spelman College topped the list followed by Howard University and Morehouse College.

The HBCUs on the U.S. News and World Report list were compared only with one another for these rankings. In order to be on the list, a school must be designated currently by the U.S. Department of Education as an HBCU. To qualify for the U.S. News ranking, an HBCU also must be an undergraduate baccalaureate-granting institution that enrolls primarily first year, first-time students and must be a school that is currently part of the 2012 Best Colleges rankings.

For the complete ranking, methodology and more, visit: http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/rankings/hbcu

As colleges across the country honor their graduates this commencement season, the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) honored Tennessee State University as a leader among institutions of higher education for their support of volunteering, service-learning, and civic engagement.

The University has been admitted to the 2010 President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll for engaging its students, faculty and staff in meaningful service that achieves measurable results in the community.

In 2009, TSU was the only higher education institution in Tennessee named to the Distinction List – the highest federal recognition a college or university can receive for its commitment to volunteering, service-learning and civic engagement. The University was also selected as a Community Service Honor Roll honoree in 2008.

“I am extremely proud of our selection to the President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll. The selection is a tribute to the diligent work of our students, faculty, staff and alumni who have worked to make community service and service learning an integral component of our academic programs.  This year’s honor, like past recognitions, is a tribute to their diligence and dedication to the TSU mission of service.  We remain committed to continue our efforts to be recognized as one of the most engaged universities in the nation,” said Dr. Portia Shields, president of Tennessee State University.

The Corporation for National and Community Service, which has administered the Honor Roll since 2006, admitted a total of 641 colleges and universities for their impact on issues from literacy and neighborhood revitalization to supporting at-risk youth. Of that total, 511 were named to the Honor Roll, 114 received the recognition of Honor Roll with distinction, 11 were identified as finalists, and six received the Presidential Award.

“As the class of 2011 crosses the stage to pick up their diplomas, more and more will be going into world with a commitment to public service and the knowledge that they can make a difference in their community and their own lives through service to others, thanks to the leadership of these institutions,” said Patrick A. Corvington, Chief Executive Officer of CNCS.  “Congratulations to Tennessee State University and its students for their dedication to service and commitment to improving their local communities.  We salute all the Honor Roll awardees for embracing their civic mission and providing opportunities for their students to tackle tough national challenges through service.”

Approximately 30 service-learning courses are  available at TSU each semester across all disciplines at the University. The Center for Service Learning and Civic Engagement, the University’s cornerstone for  facilitating quality educational experiences through community-based service-learning, connects campus and community resources to create diverse learning experiences and to serve needs of the community. Additionally, the center has created a successful model for executing and leading successful service programs through community partnerships and grant funding that make a direct impact on areas of need and earn recognition such the 2010 Honor Roll based on stellar results.

A total of 851 institutions applied for the 2010 Honor Roll, a nine percent increase over last year, a sign of the growing interest by colleges and universities in highlighting their efforts to engage students in making a difference in the community.

On campuses across the country, millions of college students are engaged in innovative projects to meet local needs, often using the skills learned in classrooms.  In 2009, 3.2 million college students dedicated more than 307 million hours of service to communities across the country, service valued at more than $6.4 billion.  Business and law students offer tax preparation and legal services, and college student volunteers provide meals, create parks, rebuild homes after disasters, conduct job training, run senior service programs, and much more.

The Corporation for National and Community Service is a strong partner with the nation’s colleges and universities in supporting community service and service-learning.  Last year, CNCS provided more than $215 million in support to institutions of higher education, including grants to operate service programs and the Segal AmeriCorps Education Awards for college tuition and student loan repayment.  CNCS is a catalyst for service-learning programs nationwide that connect community service with academic curricula. Through these programs, in classes, and in extracurricular activities, college students serve their communities while strengthening their academic and civic skills.

CNCS oversees the Honor Roll in collaboration with the U.S. Departments of Education and Housing and Urban Development, Campus Compact, and the American Council on Education. Honorees are chosen based on a series of selection factors, including the scope and innovation of service projects, the extent to which service-learning is embedded in the curriculum, the school’s commitment to long-term campus-community partnerships, and measurable community outcomes as a result of the service. For a full list of recipients and descriptions of their service, visit www.NationalService.gov/HonorRoll.