Town of Orangetown

(SPARKILL, N.Y. — June 22, 2022) — St. Thomas Aquinas College is once again being nationally recognized for its commitment to engaged, student-centered education by Colleges of Distinction, a guide for college-bound students. 

The College demonstrated excellence in the areas of student engagement, great teaching, vibrant community, and successful outcomes. In addition to being named as a 2022-2023 College of Distinction, St. Thomas Aquinas College was named a New York College of Distinction and earned additional recognition for its business and education programs, as well as its robust career development offerings. 

“As a thriving institution driven by a strategic vision designed for student success, engagement, and experiential learning, St. Thomas Aquinas College is proud to be recognized by Colleges of Distinction for our passionate commitment to our students,” said President Ken Daly. “Our faculty and staff challenge, guide, and energize our students to ensure they realize their full potential and achieve success in their careers and life.”

Since 2000, Colleges of Distinction has highlighted student-centered schools that traditional rankings often overlook. Their selection process comprises a sequence of in-depth research and detailed interviews with the institutions, accepting only those that adhere to the four distinctions: engaged students, great teaching, vibrant community, and successful outcomes. 

“Every student has individual needs and their own environment in which they’re most likely to thrive,” said Wes Creel, Founder of Colleges of Distinction. “We’re inspired by the ways in which St. Thomas Aquinas College immerses students in their fields, all while fostering a welcoming community that will support them through and beyond their college years.” St. Thomas Aquinas College is an independent liberal arts college located on 72 acres in Rockland County, NY, which provides education at the undergraduate and graduate levels. The College’s approximately 2,000 full and part-time students can choose from more than 100 different majors, minors, specializations, and dual-degree programs across four Schools: Arts & Social Sciences, Business, Education, and STEM. The College is recognized by U.S. News & World Report in the Top-Tier for Regional Universities, by Colleges of Distinction in both its New York and Catholic editions, by Affordable Colleges Online as a Top College in New York for Return on Investment, and is included as a Military Friendly School®. St. Thomas Aquinas College is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools; its School of Education is a candidate for accreditation by the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP), and its School of Business is accredited by the International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE). For more information, visit www.stac.edu. About Colleges of Distinction Since 2000, the Colleges of Distinction website and guidebook have honored schools throughout the U.S. for their excellence in undergraduate-focused higher education. The cohort of schools in the Colleges of Distinction consortium distinguish themselves through their focus on the undergraduate experience. The website and annual guidebooks provide dynamic college profiles, customized tools, and resources for students, parents, and high school counselors. For more information, visit CollegesofDistinction.com.