Recently honored as a 2018-2019 College of Distinction, Lyon College was further recognized as a College of Distinction in business and education.
In the business department, Dr. Angela Buchanan, professor in business and economics, serves as the chapter advisor for Lyon’s Enactus group, an organization that connects students with business leaders through entrepreneurial-based projects. Lyon’s Enactus group recently achieved a partnership with the nonprofit organization Main Street Batesville to develop a makers’ space for local and regional artisans in downtown Batesville.
“The plan is for faculty and students to work with local entrepreneurs and to host a pitch competition around November,” said Buchanan.
The education department saw another year of education majors securing positions in local schools upon graduation. Over 100 alumni work in the surrounding Batesville, Cave City, and Southside school districts.
“We believe that a strong liberal arts education provides the perfect foundation for preparing teachers who are thoughtful, ethical, critical, and creative leaders in K-12 classrooms and who display honesty, fairness, and respect in their daily interactions with students, colleagues, and others,” said Dr. Kimberly Crosby, Lyon College director of teacher education and assistant professor of education. “The success of our graduates relies heavily on Lyon’s strong academic majors, the support of our K-12 partner schools in providing extensive field experience opportunities, and the quality and dedication of the teacher candidates themselves.”
These achievements align with Lyon’s newly adopted four-year strategic plan that includes goals of fostering collaborative relationships between students, faculty, and staff and providing experiential learning for students.
“The Lyon College business program and the education program earning the 2018-2019 College of Distinction recognition is no surprise to those of us familiar with the faculty, the curricula and our students,” said Dr. Melissa Taverner, provost and dean of faculty. “This distinction is based on four important criteria: that the students are highly engaged in their programs, that the faculty members provide exceptional teaching, that the entire college community is a vibrant environment in which to learn, and that the students regularly achieve successful outcomes, particularly as graduates of the institution. We are proud of the achievements of our faculty, staff, and students in these programs. This recognition highlights only two of the many strong programs at Lyon College, all of which provide an exceptional education and preparation for the future success of our students.”
Colleges of Distinction’s selection process consists of a review of each institution’s freshman experience and retention efforts alongside its general education programs, alumni success, strategic plan, student satisfaction, and more. Colleges of Distinction also reviews a college’s high-impact practices (HIPs). Lyon practices several HIPs, including first-year seminars, undergraduate research, and service and community-based learning.
Article and photo submitted by Madeline Pyle with Lyon College
