A STUDENT CENTERED Graceland

Graceland’s student body is diverse. There are students who represent areas from all over the country and all over the world. They bring a wide range of curiosities and decide on many different areas of study to guide them in their future. Graceland’s student-centered focus considers all of these different cultures, backgrounds, religious preferences and interests, and still seeks to create learning communities in which all students — no matter their similarities or differences — have the opportunity to develop their potential for full and meaningful lives for the betterment of the world.

“At Graceland, being student-focused does not mean that we see students as mere objects of our efforts. Rather, being student-focused means that we understand students to be participants in the process of creativity, transition and mission. In other words, it means that Graceland seeks to help students be ready to take on the world — through what they learn, what they experience and how they engage in meaningful study and action.

–David Schaal, MA, ’80 Vice President for Student Life and Dean of Students

Students By The Numbers…

Geography: 44 States+ and 21 Countries*

Gender: 1,354 total Females with 435 on the Lamoni campus and 581 total Males with 449 Lamoni campus

Areas of Study for Independence Campus and Online: 6 Undergraduate Majors, 1 Doctorate Program, 3 Graduate Programs, 3 Majors and 5 Graduate Certificate Programs

Areas of Study for Lamoni Campus: 28 Undergraduate Majors, 25 Undergraduate Minors and 1 Undergraduate Certificate

Programs with Highest # of Declared Majors*: 240 Nursing, 166 Business Administration and 128 Elementary Education

Athletics – Lamoni Campus: 20 Varsity Teams, 11 Junior Varsity Teams, 581 Total Student-Athletes and 66% of Total Lamoni Students

VPA – Visual & Performing Arts: 377 Total Student Participants and 41% of Total Lamoni Students

Other Activities: 44 Clubs/Organizations, 16 Houses, 284 Leadership Positions and 711 Work-Study Positions

From the president and administration all the way to house presidents and student government, and everything in between, the efforts to build buildings that meet students’ needs, develop programs that pique students’ interests and provide services that support students’ own efforts show that Graceland, and all who are part of it, puts students first.

Facilities

The renovation plans of the Memorial Student Center (MSC) to Newcom Student Union were developed with student input.

Closson Center is next in line, and updates to arguably the most unique building on the Lamoni campus will revamp the most used building on campus for today’s students and the student of the future. Watch for more information on the updates to come to Closson Center.

Programs

A desire to provide opportunities for involvement to a diverse group of students with diverse interests has led to Graceland’s first esports team, available for Lamoni-campus students.

Even more widespread and as a replacement for the “general education” every Lamoni-campus student receives, the essential education curriculum is designed to prepare students for a life of inquiry, analysis, discovery, problem solving, effective communication and innovation — a program to meet the needs and desires of today’s students.

Services

As of this fall, students on the Lamoni campus have a one-stop shop for many student services aimed to help them succeed. Among other services available in the Student Success Studio, this collaborative effort includes tutoring, the Writing Center, peer mentors, disability services and career services. Read more at graceland.edu/studentsuccess.

Independence-campus nursing students were offered an ATI testing strategies seminar earlier this term designed to help them prepare for the NCLEX-RN licensure exam. Graceland strongly believes in supporting students on their educational journey both in and out of the classroom.

Community

Marissa Meyer ’18 landed a job with AmeriCorps in Anchorage, Alaska, in less than just two weeks by reaching out to the GU4U Graceland alumni network, a committee sponsored by the Graceland Alumni Board that builds relationships between current students and past graduates. “I couldn’t be more excited, and it’s all thanks to the advice and support of the Graceland community!,” said Marissa. The Power of Together in action.