A Message from the President
Dr. Saundra J. Tracy, 12th president of Alma College, is strongly committed to emphasis on a personalized educational experience within a rich array of opportunities for students both on campus and in the broader world. She has a Ph.D. in educational administration from Purdue University, an M.Ed. in foreign language instruction from the University of Pittsburgh and a B.A. in Spanish with minors in sociology and education from Carroll College in Wisconsin. Prior to her presidency at Alma College, Tracy was dean of the College of Education at Butler University, professor and associate professor of educational leadership at Lehigh University, an American Council of Education Fellow and Director of Education programs at Iacocca Institute of Lehigh University.
On the pages of this catalog are the particulars of Alma College’s outstanding academic reputation. At Alma you benefit from a rigorous liberal arts education, effective career development, solid preparation for graduate or professional study, exciting study abroad, productive internships and personal improvement through co-curricular activities.
- Alma College was selected as one of 81 "Colleges With a Conscience" based on the civic engagement and service commitment offered by our curriculum and student activities.
- Alma College, designated a selective Baccalaureate College — Liberal Arts by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, is among 80 national liberal arts colleges that are members of the Annapolis Group.
- Alma College is a Phi Beta Kappa institution, a status shared with only seven percent of all colleges and universities in the country.
- Alma College is a member of the Consortium of Liberal Arts Colleges, The Council on Undergraduate Research and the Oberlin Library Group, all of which include only the most prestigious small colleges.
The most important element of Alma College’s academic experience is the close, mentoring relationship fostered between faculty and students. Mentoring goes beyond the small classes and 13/1 student/faculty ratio. It can best be experienced in Preterm when first-year students and professors first get to know each other; or in the classroom with faculty who care about teaching and students; or in the off-campus trips in which students and professors travel and learn together; or in joint faculty/student research projects and publishing.
The beautiful campus — the gracious students — the numerous opportunities in campus leadership, music, performing arts, sports and social organizations — the school pride: these are the elements you will notice first when visiting the campus.
What you will see ultimately is Alma’s most important distinction — a superb faculty dedicated to mentoring students.
Saundra J. Tracy
President