Southern New Hampshire University

Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) is a private university located in Manchester and Hooksett, New Hampshire, in the United States. It is recognized and approved by the New England Commission of Higher Education, and some of its programs in areas like hospitality, health, education, and business also have special approval. SNHU is known for growing very quickly, with around 170,000 students studying online and about 3,000 students attending classes on its campus. This makes it one of the fastest-growing universities in the country, offering many opportunities for students to learn and succeed.

History

The university began in 1932 as the New Hampshire School of Accounting and Secretarial Science, founded by Harry A. B. Shapiro and his wife, Gertrude. It started with just 25 students. Over the years, it grew and changed its name several times. By 1963, it could grant degrees, and in 1966, it awarded its first bachelor's degrees.

In the 1970s, the college moved to a larger campus and added new programs. By the 1990s, it began offering courses online. In 2001, it became Southern New Hampshire University. Since then, the university has kept growing, adding new buildings, programs, and students. It now has over 170,000 online students and about 3,000 students on campus.

Campus

The Southern New Hampshire University campus is located in two places: South Hooksett and Manchester. It covers more than 300 acres near the Merrimack River and has buildings for learning, places for students to live, sports areas, and offices for running the school. Most students study online, so the campus mainly serves students who live on site.

Academics

SNHU has an admissions rate of 88%. In 2021, U.S. News & World Report ranked the university between #131 and #171 in Regional Universities North.

Southern New Hampshire University offers many types of programs, including undergraduate, graduate, doctoral, and certificate programs. These programs are offered through several colleges and schools, such as the College for America, School of Engineering, Technology & Aeronautics, College of Online & Continuing Education, School of Arts & Sciences, School of Business, School of Education, and School of International Engagement.

The university has a special three-year Honors Program for business majors, which helps students earn their degree faster. SNHU also has many regional centers, including its main campus and satellite campuses in places like Salem, New Hampshire, and Brunswick, Maine. The university has grown quickly, especially in its online programs.

Accreditation and memberships

Southern New Hampshire University has been approved by the New England Commission of Higher Education since 1973 and is supported by the New Hampshire Department of Education. Some of its programs, like sport management and hospitality, have special approval from groups that focus on those areas.

The university is also part of many important groups across the United States and in New Hampshire, working together to help improve education.

Recognitions and awards

Southern New Hampshire University has received many awards for its programs and work. In 2007, its community economic development program won a special award named after Robert J. McKenna, a former state senator from Rhode Island.

The university has been honored for being innovative and a great place to work. In 2012, it was named one of the most innovative organizations in the world. In 2019, it was ranked the most innovative school in its group by U.S. News & World Report. The school's business programs have also won awards for being among the best.

Student activities

Southern New Hampshire University has many student organizations on campus. These include Radio SNHU, the campus radio station, and The Penmen Press, the student newspaper. The university also publishes The Penmen Review, an online creative writing journal for students and alumni.

There are also several fraternities and sororities on campus for students to join.

Athletics

Main article: SNHU Penmen

Southern New Hampshire University takes part in NCAA Division II sports. The university belongs to the Eastern College Athletic Conference and the Northeast-10 Conference. The teams are called the Penmen, a name that honors the university's history in accounting. Their mascot is named "Petey Penmen".

The university has received the NCAA Foundation Academic Achievement Award for having one of the highest graduation rates among student athletes in Division II. It also won the Northeast 10 Conference Academic Achievement Award after the 2001–02 school year.

Notable alumni

Southern New Hampshire University has many successful graduates. Some of them include:

• Rebecca Adamson, a business leader and advocate for the Cherokee people
• Felix G. Arroyo, a former city council member in Boston
• Jeremy Bonomo, a head coach for a soccer team
• Preston Burpo, a former player and coach for a soccer team, the New York Red Bulls
• Chuck Collins, an author and researcher
• Ed Davis, a former leader of the Boston Police Department
• Elaine Duke, a former high-ranking official in the U.S. government
• Jack Flanagan, a former state lawmaker in New Hampshire
• Ron Fortier, a writer of comic books
• Peter Holland, a professional hockey player
• Marjoie Kilkelly, a former state senator and representative in Maine
• Marjorie Herrera Lewis, an author
• Stephen D. Lovejoy, a former state representative in Maine
• Paul Mark, a current state senator in Massachusetts
• Garrett Mason, a former state senator in Maine
• Peggy Morgan, a professional mixed martial artist
• Marc R. Pacheco, a current state senator in Massachusetts
• Pam Patenaude, a former high-ranking official in the U.S. government
• Rob Paternostro, a former professional basketball player and coach
• Deonna Purrazzo, a professional wrestler
• Benjamin Ramos, a former state representative in Pennsylvania
• Annette Robinson, a former state lawmaker in New York
• Abuhena Saifulislam, a chaplain in the U.S. Navy who served with troops
• Mohd Sidek Hassan, a leader in Malaysia
• Samia Suluhu, the current president of Tanzania, the first woman to hold this position
• Chris Tsonis, a professional soccer player
• Tate Westbrook, an officer in the U.S. Navy
• Corey Wilson, a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps and former state representative in Maine