Saint Martin's University earns ten 2026-2027 Colleges of Distinction recognitions

Saint Martin's University has been named a 2026-27 College of Distinction by Colleges of Distinction, which recognizes the university's commitment to an engaged, student-centered undergraduate experience and its focus on preparing students for meaningful lives and careers, a news release from the university announced. 

Colleges of Distinction evaluates institutions through research and in-depth conversations with campus leaders, with particular attention to its four distinctions: engaged students, great teaching, vibrant community and successful outcomes. 

"Saint Martin's has always believed that an excellent education is about more than earning a degree," Bill Brownsberger, president of Saint Martin's University, said in the release. "It is about forming the whole person, cultivating curiosity and compassion, and giving students opportunities to put their learning into practice. This recognition affirms the extraordinary work of our faculty, staff, and students in creating a community where faith, reason, and service come together to prepare students to make a positive difference  in the world." 

Unlike conventional college rankings that emphasize numerical measures such as selectivity or institutional resources, Colleges of Distinction focuses on how colleges put high-impact educational practices into action, according to the release. Saint Martin's provides students with opportunities to engage in their education through experiential learning, internships, research, collaborative coursework, service and capstone experiences. 

The university's additional programmatic and institution-wide distinctions recognize specific areas of strength: 

• Catholic: recognizing the integration of Saint Martin’s Catholic Benedictine identity into the educational experience.
• Washington: recognizing the University’s role among institutions in the state that provide a high-quality, student-focused education.
• Business: recognizing hands-on learning and preparation that equips students to become responsible leaders in business and related fields.
• Education: recognizing practical experiences, advising, mentoring and high-impact learning that prepares first-class educators.
• Engineering: recognizing an experience-based approach to engineering education that connects classroom learning with real-world applications.
• Nursing: recognizing hands-on learning and preparation designed to develop knowledgeable, compassionate and skilled nursing professionals.
• Career Development: recognizing Saint Martin’s intentional integration of career exploration and preparation throughout the student experience.
• Military Support: recognizing programs and resources that support military-connected students as they pursue their educational and professional goals.
• Transfer: recognizing the University’s commitment to making the transfer process transparent, supportive and academically sound.

Colleges of Distinction evaluates institutions for the transfer recognition based on factors including the transparency of transfer-credit policies, admissions practices, academic advising and outcomes for transfer students. 

"Students today are thinking carefully about the return they will receive from their investment in higher education," Patty Lemon, dean of admissions, said in the release. "These distinctions recognize a core value of Saint Martin's: that when students receive personal attention, meaningful opportunities to apply what they learn, and support in planning for life after graduation, they are better positioned for success. We are proud that Colleges of Distinction has recognized the work our community is doing on behalf of our students." 

For more information about the university’s College of Distinction awards and its commitment to excellence in higher education, visit the university's website at https://tinyurl.com/m87u2y75.