Southwestern University has received our latest rankings in the U.S. News & World Report’s annual Best National Liberal Arts Colleges list. In the newly-released 2025 list, Southwestern’s ranking has improved to #83, the University’s highest ranking since 2014. Over the past four years the University’s ranking has risen 19 points.
In the publication’s fifth-annual Top Performers in Social Mobility list, Southwestern ranked #2 in Texas and #81 in the nation, jumping 43 spots from the University’s national rating in the category a year ago.
Southwestern’s rankings have steadily risen as the University’s largest and most ambitious construction plan in its history takes shape. With over $120 million in active construction projects, we are transforming the physical landscape of Texas’ first university. Plus, the upcoming Southwestern University 560 development will be an unprecedented initiative, combining art, experiential learning, and sustainable living to create a distinctive environment that enriches the lives of students, faculty, staff, and the broader community.
Our rise in the rankings extends beyond U.S. News. Southwestern is now ranked as the #2 liberal arts college in Texas and #284 nationally by Forbes, the highest we’ve been since 2018. The Princeton Review has named us one of the nation’s best institutions for undergraduates, with our Center for Career & Professional Development (CCPD) ranked #2 in the nation and #1 in Texas, a significant rise from last year’s #5. Southwestern is also recognized on The Princeton Review's lists of Best Value Colleges, Best Southwest Colleges, and Best Green Colleges.
Two new members will be joining our campus community soon. Gerald Jones, our incoming Associate Vice President for Student Life, will begin on October 1. With over 20 years of experience in student life leadership, Gerald is poised to make a significant impact in enriching the student experience here at Southwestern. On October 7, we’ll also welcome Jennifer Charles as our new Associate Vice President for Human Resources. Jennifer brings nearly 20 years of expertise in human resources and diversity, equity, and inclusion.
As we move through this semester, our celebration of Hispanic & Latine Heritage Month is already in full swing. From cultural workshops to engaging speakers, please join me in expressing my appreciation to Amalia Merino and Laura Senio Blair for their fine efforts. I hope many of you were able to join the luncheon with alumna Hilda Gutierrez ’03 and take part in the other events that highlight the rich contributions of the Hispanic and Latin American communities. The celebration will continue through October 15, and I encourage everyone to participate in the remaining events.
Our athletics season is off to an extraordinary start! Men’s Soccer has made history, ranking #24 in the nation with a remarkable 5-0-1 record. This is the first time our Pirate men’s soccer team has ever earned a national ranking, and we couldn't be prouder. Our football team is also making waves with a strong 2-1 start, including a thrilling season opener against McMurry that ended in a nail-biting victory. Catch the game-winning moment here.
In other exciting news, Matthew Peesker from Men’s Golf achieved an incredible hole-in-one, and our Volleyball team is dominating with an impressive 9-1 record. Over 500 students turned out for Grub & Gameday on Saturday to cheer on our team as they triumphed over 15th-ranked Trinity! A special shoutout to Phi Delta Theta, Zeta Tau Alpha, and Brown-Cody Residence Hall for their victories in the Grub & Gameday Caterpillar Race Crawl. I’d also like to thank all our athletic teams who showed up and were loud, especially men’s basketball and softball for leading some fantastic cheers! And none of this would have been possible without the five months of planning from Student Life, Marketing and Communications, Aramark, Facilities Management, and Athletics. Your hard work made the day truly extraordinary!
Our Civil Discourse Series has been embraced with thirty-two students, faculty, and staff participating in this year’s first “Courageous Conversations” meeting. I am also looking forward to the Amplify Student Voices event on October 5 brought to us by Dr. David Ortiz, Vice President for Equity, Accountability, and Inclusive Excellence and funded through a generous grant from the Kellogg and Lumina foundations. Southwestern is one of only 30 institutions nationwide and the only institution in Texas selected to host this critical dialogue on diversity, equity, and democracy. This event will provide a unique platform for our students to engage in meaningful conversations that shape our shared future.
I encourage everyone to join us for two upcoming events: the grand opening of our new campus store on October 3 and the fourth annual SUnity Day on October 29. The bookstore celebration will feature swag discounts and sweet treats, while SUnity Day offers activities, games, and art projects for everyone. Stay connected to all SU events checking our online calendar or using the Southwestern app.
Finally, I invite you to join me at President’s Corner tonight at 7:00 p.m. It’s a great opportunity to share your thoughts, hear about the exciting developments at Southwestern, and build connections within our community.
