With approximately 1800 students, both undergraduate and graduate, Adrian College in Michigan may be considered a smaller institution, but that doesn’t mean it’s not doing big things. In fact, U.S. News & World Report recognized Adrian as the most innovative college.
“We don't just look at what's in front of students today, but we also look around the corner,” says Dr. Jeffrey Docking, who’s been the president of the school for the last 21 years. “For example, what kind of world are they going to step into, and what are the jobs that don't even exist yet that we can see coming on the horizon? We try to offer majors that prepare students for not only the world that is, but for the world that will be.”
Majors such as cybersecurity, data analytics and supply chain management are ever-changing, often due to artificial intelligence making inroads into every industry. “We really stay at the forefront, and we innovate and try new things,” he says.
Adds Frank Hribar, vice president of enrollment and student affairs, “We really pride ourselves on the expansion of our academic programming, and being a smaller school means we can maneuver like a speedboat in the water as opposed to a freighter when new opportunities arise.”
While innovation is important when it comes to selecting a college, Dr. Docking stresses that the number one criteria students should focus on is fit. “It often boils down to a feeling of being comfortable socially, academically, athletically, spiritually, and otherwise.”
This is why he strongly encourages prospective students to not only do their research on a college, but to also take a college tour. “You really can't understand how it feels until you get onto a campus, walk around, and talk to people to know if it’s the right place for you.”
Sometimes, the perceived prestige of a school affects their decisions too much, and location plays a bigger role than it should. About 1,500 out of the 1800 students live on campus.
“We really lean in heavily into that 18-to-23-year-old experience from soup to nuts from the auxiliary services we provide, like food and housing services, right into the athletic programs and academic curriculum,” says Hribar.
While roughly 65% of its students are from Michigan, with a fair amount from Ohio and Indiana, others come from all over the world, especially for its sports programs.
There are 53 sports teams, ranging from rugby and lacrosse to rowing. “We span from traditional sports like football, baseball, and basketball to less traditional sports, but certainly popular in this region, such as men's and women's ice hockey, and figure skating and synchronized skating,” says Hribar. “We also have some really fun, yet very competitive fringe sports, like a national championship-winning bass fishing team and a national championship cornhole program.”
Tristin Richardson, who graduated from Grosse Pointe North High School in 2016 and later graduated from Adrian College, took full advantage of not only the academics being offered, but the sports, too. An NCAA Baseball student-athlete from 2017–2021, he was also a four-time MIAA Conference Champion, a four-time MIAA Tournament Champion, and a Midwest Regional Champion. Today, he has an MA in Sports Management and a BBA in Sports Management from the school.
“I chose Adrian College for its state-of-the-art facilities in both academics and athletics,” he says. “The facilities at Adrian College gave me an instant advantage over student athletes at other schools I was considering.”
Richardson also appreciated that over 65% of the enrolled students at Adrian College were also student athletes. His favorite moment: Hitting a walk-off home run to send the Adrian College baseball team to the College World Series.
“Another thing I appreciated was that the professors were business professionals with real-world experience and connections.”
In addition to being president, Dr. Docking teaches a leadership course, and brings in leaders from a variety of industries. They have included former Michigan Governor Rick Snyder, and Google Vice President Maggie Johnson.
Critically acclaimed authors, nationally known musical artists, and sports legends, such as hockey superstar Steve Yzerman, are also part of the campus experience. “This past academic year, our Free Speech Speaker Series speaker was best-selling author, John U. Bacon, who’s also a local and someone students can relate to,” says Hribar.
Gabrielle Brumme, who will graduate in May 2027 with a Bachelor of Science in Public Relations and an Associate of Arts in Graphic Design, is also taking full advantage of what Adrian has to offer. She’s currently the student director of Creative Media for Adrian College Television, a recipient of the Adrian College Scholarship Award for maintaining a 4.0 GPA, and a member of the Women’s D2 Hockey Team.
"I chose Adrian College because of its strong hockey program, including having its own rink and gym,” she says. “I also love the smaller-school atmosphere and class sizes, which make it easier to build connections with professors."
She adds, "My favorite part of my Adrian College experience has been the friendships I’ve made with my teammates on the Women’s D2 Hockey Team. They have become some of my closest friends, and I know those relationships will last a lifetime."
While some students focus on schools that offer the majors or sports they’re most interested in, others aren’t sure of their paths yet. “One of the strongest value propositions we offer is helping students identify what motivates them and what they're passionate about, and that can happen in both a classroom setting and in an internship setting, where engagement with faculty directly leads to those light bulb moments,” says Docking. “Educating the heart is the critical complement to educating the mind, and that's what we explore really well.”
His advice to students is to figure out what they love to do, and then find a way to get paid for it. “Put yourself in a position where you get to know your professors and the curriculum in a very personal way so you will get a sense of not only what you're good at, but also what you love. If you can find that career, that major that will lead to that, that really is the key, in my opinion, to not only professional happiness, but to overall success.”
Even if students have their minds set on a big state university, Docking strongly encourages them to at least take the time to look at a smaller school, to understand the differences, and make sure that they're making the right decision for themselves - both educationally and socially. “Don’t just follow the herd when you make what will be one of the most important decisions in your life.”
He looks forward to continuing to oversee the success of Adrian College’s current students as well as welcoming the new ones. “This generation of students is very earnest, and I think they're generally kind,” says Docking. “They care about the environment, and I believe they want to make good decisions. They are the types of people who will continue to make this country even better.”
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“Educating the heart is the critical complement to educating the mind, and that's what we explore really well.”