Valparaiso University Achieves Recognition as STEM Jobs Approved College

Valparaiso University has been designated a 2015 STEM Jobs^SM Approved College by Victory Media. The list is the first of its kind to rate universities and colleges on their responsiveness and relevance to high demand, high growth STEM occupations.

“It is an honor to be recognized for the educational opportunities that we provide our science, engineering and mathematics majors here at Valparaiso University,” said Richard A. Gillman, Ph.D., associate provost for faculty affairs and professor of mathematics and statistics. “We believe strongly that a STEM education combined with a strong liberal arts thread and values-based goals results in graduates who are sought after in the market place. This recognition is in direct response this, together with the quality and creativity of our faculty in producing outstanding programs of disciplinary study.”

Valpo was among more than 1,600 schools participating in the STEM Jobs^SM survey process. Schools submitting surveys were scored on publicly available data and responses to proprietary questions around three key indicators of success: STEM job alignment, STEM job placement and diversity in a school’s STEM programs. The assessment and rights to the STEM Jobs Approved^SM Colleges designation were available to qualifying schools for free. Valparaiso University will be featured in the Winter 2015 issue of STEM Jobs^SM magazine, along with the entire 2015 list of STEM Jobs^SM Approved Colleges.

The University continues to demonstrate its commitment to preparing student for careers in STEM fields. Valpo’s MSEED (Mathematics and Science Education Enrollment and Development) program allows graduates to earn a bachelor of science in science or mathematics and a teaching license in four years. Valpo’s dedication to STEM is also evident through the College of Engineering, which is ranked as one of the top 30 undergraduate engineering schools in the nation by U.S. News & World Report in 2014.

“With the list of STEM Jobs^SM Approved Colleges, we’re able to help parents, students and guidance counselors evaluate how well education is translating into real-world jobs, and how responsive institutions are to meeting those demands,” said Daniel Nichols, president of STEM JobsS^M. “We’re pleased to showcase schools like Valparaiso University as a school leading the way in this area.”