Furman
Advantage
THE FURMAN ADVANTAGE
We know that graduates who are emotionally supported and have deep learning experiences in college are three times more likely to be engaged at work and thriving in life.
At Furman, we build on our historic strengths to guarantee all students an unparalleled education that combines classroom learning with real-world experiences and self-discovery.
This integrated four-year pathway, guided by a diverse community of mentors, prepares students for lives of purpose and accelerated career and community impact — demonstrating in concrete terms the value of a Furman education.
This is
THE FURMAN ADVANTAGE.
YEAR ONE: EXPLORE & DISCOVER
- Settle into a new environment and gain a sense of belonging
- Connect with your adviser
- Begin to discover skills, interests and goals through academic coursework and activities
YEAR TWO: EXAMINE & DECIDE
- Prepare for engaged learning opportunities through coursework and conversations with advisers and mentors
- Begin to explore opportunities in engaged learning
- Select a major that meets life and career goals
YEAR THREE: CONNECT & REFINE
- Focus area of study through classroom learning, reflection, mentors and advisers
- Select engaged learning such as an internship, study away, research or community project
- Apply knowledge and skills to meet real-world challenges
YEAR FOUR: SYNTHESIZE & INITIATE
- Reflect upon experiences
- Integrate all you have done to create your narrative for employers and graduate schools
- Graduate ready to pursue meaningful lives and careers
REFLECTION
Mentors, faculty and advisers encourage students to reflect on their experiences to make informed decisions about their paths.
- Classroom learning
- Mentoring and advising
- Engaged learning
- Career/post-grad exploration and preparation
President Elizabeth Davis launched The Furman Advantage in 2016 with $47 million from The Duke Endowment.
FOUND
OUR
PEOPLE.
Milford Sound, New Zealand,
during study away.
“We developed emotional bonds through our teams, organizations and classes and met groups of people who, if we had not met them, our lives would be radically different.”
— IMANI-GRACE KING ’19
Key Account Manager at DFS Creative Concepts
The Furman-Gallup Study
Are we fulfilling our promise and providing lifelong value to graduates? In what ways? Are there gaps?
With support from The Duke Endowment, Furman University partnered with Gallup to raise these questions, establish a baseline and develop a plan forward. Since the partnership began, we have surveyed our students, alumni, faculty and staff to measure engagement.
With our alumni study, we have identified historic strengths that have produced Furman graduates who, compared to national averages, are highly engaged at work and thriving in life. But in what ways do we build upon these strengths? How do we ensure that every student benefits from The Furman Advantage?
A FURMAN EDUCATION
Our students and graduates have an advantage. From professors who care about their students to strong mentors who encourage them to pursue their goals and dreams, Furman University surpasses the national average in Gallup’s “Big Six” college experiences. Positive experiences in these six areas mean that our alumni are more likely to be engaged at work and thriving in their lives.
GALLUP'S 'BIG SIX' FOR SUCCESS
- Furman Alumni
- National Average
96%
Placement rate six months after graduation (employed or in graduate school)
34%
of most recent year graduates enrolled in graduate school or another university in the fall semester
ACCENTURE
AMAZON
AMERICORPS
BOOZ ALLEN HAMILTON
DELOITTE
ERNST & YOUNG
IBM
JET PROGRAM USA
JP MORGAN CHASE & CO.
MERRILL LYNCH
NATIONAL MARINE SANCTUARY FDN.
PEACE CORPS
PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE
PRISMA HEALTH
PROJECT HOPE
PWC
QUALTRICS
S&P GLOBAL
SALESFORCE
SCANSOURCE
TARGET CORP.
TEACH FOR AMERICA
URBAN INST.
U.S. CONGRESS
U.S. DEPT. OF DEFENSE
U.S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE
WELLS FARGO
WHAT ALUMNI HAVE TO SAY
Our alumni consistently report having benefited from Gallup’s “Big Six” emotional support and engaged-learning experiences. The “Big Six,” which reflect best practices in higher education, mirror Furman’s challenge-and-support model: the academic vision undergirding The Furman Advantage.
Compared to the national average, Furman alumni are three times more likely to be thriving in their lives and well-being. In fact, among Gallup’s five well-being indices – purpose, social, financial, community and physical – Furman alumni scored at least 14 points higher than the national average.
FACULTY AND STAFF ARE CRITICAL TO SUCCESS
Furman faculty and staff engagement results place us in the top quartile for workplace engagement. As Gallup’s research in higher education has revealed, faculty and staff engagement is the No. 1 driver of student engagement.
OUR PATH FORWARD
By leveraging our strengths and addressing any gaps, we’re excited to see in real numbers the impact that The Furman Advantage is having for our students and graduates. Our research will guide us in getting even better at what we do.
ALREADY …
• We’re doubling down on our efforts to build affinity and prove the value of a Furman degree.
• We’re placing more emphasis on developing lifelong habits of reflection.
• We’re building an ecosystem of career support for students with earlier and multiple touch points during their four-year pathways.
• And we’ll continue to measure and report on how we’re doing to ensure we’re delivering on our promise.
FURMAN GRADUATES ARE THRIVING IN ALL WELL-BEING ELEMENTS
- Furman Alumni
- National Average
TOP 5%
of engaged faculty and staff in higher education
TOP 25%
most engaged employees across all industries