One of the strongest foundations of this school is its commitment to community service. A student-led organization called the Service Station is one of the most active student groups on campus, spearheading programs such as the Great Day of Service, during which Austin College students donate an entire day to work at many different sites around the community, and GreenServe, an initiative geared towards fostering environmental stewardship in Sherman and the greater Texoma region. With over 16,000 hours of community service each year, Austin College students help the community in numerous beneficial ways.
The College also has many local partnerships: Community Series partners with Austin College to bring world-class musicians and performance artists to Sherman. An annual internship program through Social Entrepreneurship for Poverty Alleviation (SEPA) pairs Austin College students with local nonprofits to engage in collaborative project work. Last year alone, well over $40,000 was raised to benefit these nonprofits.
There are numerous summer programs such as Duke TIP, Summer Science Splash, and the Austin Teacher Program (ATP) Thinking Camp. These initiatives offer a transformative, educational experience on campus to elementary and middle school students through partnerships with Sherman’s school district and several foundations.
As an institution of higher education, Austin College is distinctive. As a small liberal arts college, Austin College gives students the opportunity to connect with their professors; the student to faculty ratio is 12:1. In these small classes, students think for themselves, express their opinions, ask thoughtful questions, pioneer innovative ideas, and lead powerful initiatives. With their Austin College education, students strive boldly into the world with both a local and global perspective.
Review from Guidestar
In response to the previous review, I beg to differ. As a graduate of Austin College, I received my education in the form of a rare gift. Small class sizes, amazing professors who act as mentors, friendly staff and community on campus, and most of all, support from everyone in helping each and every student succeed. I am the first person in my family to attend college, and although I had other options when applying, I decided to become a "Roo." I would recommend Austin College to every young person who seeks an educational experience such as this. Jan-Term was also an amazing experience. AC provides opportunities every January for students to travel abroad with their professor. I would have not had this opportunity at other facilities, especially with the help from financial aid. Yes, Austin College DOES use the money to upkeep the campus, which is beautiful by the way, BUT it does not receive support from the city of Sherman. I grew up in Sherman, but it is not a college town. Only an hour north of Dallas, but how else can the school attract potential students when they do not have support from the town? I do not know details of how this money is spent, but I do know and believe the mission of Austin College is being practiced every day in classrooms on campus. My fellow students would agree it is a wonderful place to find yourself, dream big, and make a difference by thinking outside the box.
I have watched this facility of 'Higher Education' over the past 50+ years in my hometown. Nothing worthwhile has ever come out of this campus.
In fact, over the past 30 years, they have used donor monies to create a 'green space' around the camput completely destroying neighborhoods and families homes.
They have taken well over $10 Million Dollars off the tax rolls, and this college and its staff/students do absolultely nothing to better this community.
