Carnegie Classifications designated Ferris as having earned the title of “Opportunity University” on April 24.
The recognition goes to universities seen as models for helping students, and through their enrollment, opportunities for success. Their success is measured through different criteria, like how Ferris students compare to students from other universities when they are in the workforce.
Carnegie Foundation President Timothy F.C. Knowles went over what is looked for in an interview with members of Ferris.
“The majority of students apply to college with the hope it is a path to opportunity, and the job they’ve dreamt about,” Knowles said. “This work is about ensuring that institutions are recognized when they empower students to reach their goals and succeed.”
The foundation uses data from several places, including the U.S. Department of Education College Scoreboard and the U.S. Census Bureau, to determine the classifications.
President Dr. Bill Pink acknowledged what the recognition meant for him.
“We are one of very few institutions in this country that a third party has come in the door and said, ‘Well done. Your institution is preparing students to go into well-paying jobs and career paths,’” Pink said. “We talk about how we build champions here, in sports, and in the classroom. This recognition validates that point. Our graduates take the quality education Ferris State provides and do amazing things in our state.”
Roughly 16 percent of U.S. universities under the Student Access and Earnings Classification have been given this recognition.
Pink also mentioned that this was a big deal for Ferris.
“You’re going to hear me talk about probably every time I have a public audience to brag up, to brag up those points as big as any national championship we’ve ever gotten,” Pink said. “When you have a third party like that that says here’s, here’s the work that you’re doing.”