Princeton Review Recognizes University for Exceptional Faculty, Diverse Campus

During his time as a Charger, Muntasir Hossain 鈥�23 analyzed and developed a machine learning algorithm to detect coronary heart disease. He also collaborated with several faculty members on exciting research, such as training faculty on integrating the Makerspace into their course content and developing a platform to analyze the opinions of social media users.

These hands-on research opportunities enabled Hossain to publish his work in papers and present at conferences. He also shared what he learned and offered his support to his classmates as a tutor and a Learning Assistant in the Center for Learning Resources. He says he鈥檚 grateful for the many rewarding experiences he had 鈥� both as a mentor and a mentee.

鈥溗纳獳V of New Haven played a significant role in preparing me for success,鈥� said Hossain, who earned a bachelor鈥檚 degree in computer science before joining McDonald鈥檚 as a software engineer in its corporate office in Chicago. 鈥淚 have had amazing professors who were always willing to support and mentor me.鈥�

Hossain is among the many students and alumni who cite their professors as having played a significant role in their time as Chargers. That was one of the themes highlighted as the University was featured in of its popular guidebook for prospective college students and their families. Chargers said they were especially grateful for faculty who 鈥渉ave resumes that are incredibly proficient鈥� and who bring their vast experience to the classroom through 鈥渞eal world stories as well as hands-on events and exercises.鈥�

A trusted and well-known educational services company, The Princeton Review included the University in its newest book The Best 389 Colleges: 2024 Edition. The company does not rank colleges and universities 鈥� instead, it profiles them. It recommends the best schools in the country for undergraduates, largely based on 鈥減eer鈥� reviews 鈥� the feedback of students.

鈥淥ur students often talk about how much they love their professors and how much they appreciate all they do for them in and out of the classroom,鈥� said Sheahon Zenger, Ph.D., interim president of the University of New Haven. 鈥淥ur professors are dedicated to their work, and they are so passionate about the success of our students. Being recognized by the Princeton Review among the best colleges and universities in the country would not be possible without their dedication.鈥�

The annual guidebook and college rankings lists are based on The Princeton Review鈥檚 surveys of 165,000 college students 鈥� more than 400 per school, on average 鈥� who rated their schools on dozens of topics. Students provided feedback on topics such as school services, campus amenities, and aspects of college life. This is the eighth consecutive year the University has been featured in the guidebook as one of the top colleges and universities in the country.

鈥淲e created our rankings to provide a resource for college applicants that helps them answer what may well be the toughest question in their college search 鈥� 鈥榃hat鈥檚 the best school for me?鈥欌�� said , editor-in-chief of The Princeton Review and lead author of The Best 389 Colleges. 鈥淥ur selection of colleges for this book reflects our high opinion of the schools: we recommend each one as academically outstanding. Our ranking lists reflect the opinions of the school鈥檚 students 鈥� their customers 鈥� and their reports to us about their campus experiences.鈥�

Students also praised the University鈥檚 campus environment, noting that Chargers are 鈥渧ery welcoming鈥� and 鈥渃aring and considerate.鈥� They also said there are 鈥減eople of different race, religion, and all other kinds of backgrounds鈥� at the University, and that 鈥渋t is easy to find people you fit in with because the campus is so diverse.鈥�

Chargers also noted the variety of opportunities to get involved in the University community, which was important to Sani鈥檡ah Brinney 鈥�23. A recent graduate of the political science program, she was an active member of the Charger community, serving as founder and vice president of the Women of Color Collective and as vice president of the . She also served as president of the .

鈥淚 always had a passion to help people and society as a whole, which is what every position I held on campus allowed me to do,鈥� said Brinney, who is now pursuing her master鈥檚 degree at Georgetown University. 鈥淯ltimately, bringing people together for a positive purpose is why I continued to seek out leadership positions throughout my undergraduate career.鈥�

The new guidebook also quoted students who lauded the many experiential learning opportunities offered, noting that 鈥渢he learning style here feels very hands-on.鈥� One student also said, 鈥淚鈥檝e taken a number of labs and field trips in my classes that have really prepared me to use equipment and methods I鈥檒l need in my field.鈥�

For Hossain, the computer science grad, these opportunities have helped him to excel in the classroom, as an intern, and as he begins his career. Last summer, he served as a software engineering intern for McDonald鈥檚 at their corporate headquarters, leading to a full-time job opportunity.

鈥淢any of my courses were project-based, which allowed me to apply my knowledge and develop tangible products,鈥� he said. 鈥淭hese projects taught me to be an independent learner and to come up with creative solutions to problems.鈥�