Academic Excellence

Advantages of Learning at Thiel

At Thiel College, you’ll find more than just a place to study. You'll join a supportive community dedicated to helping you achieve your dreams, with strong connections to alumni and future employers.

A Place Full of Opportunities

Thiel is known for providing excellent opportunities. As a Dietrich Foundation Institution, we join Carnegie Mellon, University of Pittsburgh and Princeton as, premier institutions committed to higher education and student success. We’re also proud to be recognized by Phi Theta Kappa’s Transfer Honor Roll and as a top college in the country for veterans by Military Friendly®.

Our campus is filled with chances to learn and grow, and we’re here to help you make the most of your four years (check out Distinctly Thiel to better appreciate the value of a Thiel education and what makes Thiel a one-of-a-kind experience).

A Pathway to Growth and Success

We focus on your success by providing a diverse and inspiring environment where you can learn, live, and thrive, opening new doors and creating opportunities.

Real-World Learning

Thiel’s academics align closely with real-world needs, preparing graduates with practical skills valued by employers. According to the latest data, our graduates are well-prepared for their careers, thanks to the practical knowledge and skills they gain.

Support Throughout Your Journey

From day one, you’ll feel at home and receive support throughout your time at Thiel, helping you succeed in your academic and career paths.

Areas of Study

At Thiel College, your opportunities for academic exploration are limitless.

Here, you can dive into a broad range of subjects. If you're passionate about science and math, you’ll still have space to explore artistic interests. If you’re strong in the humanities, you can incorporate quantitative subjects like statistics into your coursework.

With more than 50 areas of study to choose from—including sciences, psychology, communications media, and business—you and your advisor will craft a personalized educational journey. Thiel also offers many chances to enrich your experience through independent research, internships, and other hands-on learning opportunities.

If you're considering further education, Thiel provides pre-professional programs in addition to its graduate degrees, all built on a solid liberal arts foundation.

Explore the pathways at Thiel and see how the college can help turn your academic interests into real-world success.

Explore the Areas of Study at Thiel College >>

Experiential Learning

Experiential learning is a hands-on approach to education where students "learn by doing" and reflect on their experiences. Our goal is to provide opportunities that help you develop valuable skills and succeed both in college and in your future career.

From the First Year Experience and the Tomcat Way to the Centers of Excellence and the Ruth A. Miller Senior Seminar, these experiences help students explore and connect different subjects, engage with their communities, develop career skills, and gain cultural and leadership insights.

Career Development

As college students, exploring career options is a process that requires time and thoughtful effort, much like preparing for a final exam. Finding the right career is a journey that shouldn’t be rushed, especially not just a few weeks before graduation.

By working with our Career Development Center you can begin exploring options early so that you are best prepared to find a career that aligns with your passions and values and sets you up for success.

Academic Affairs Leadership

Meet the Dean of the College and Vice President for Academic Affairs, Sheila Nowinski, Ph.D.

Dr. Nowinski oversees all academic programs and accreditation at Thiel. As Vice President for Academic Affairs, she is responsible for recruiting and mentoring the College’s faculty, as well as ensuring the College delivers on its promise of a world-class education.

Nowinski joined Thiel College in 2015 as an Assistant Professor of History and has steadily risen through the ranks, earning promotion to Associate Professor in 2020 and Full Professor in 2024. In 2020, she took on the leadership of the Dietrich Honors Institute, creating new opportunities for motivated students to engage in independent inquiry and research. As the Kenneth and Mariana Brown Dietrich Honors Institute Chair, she provided exemplary leadership and strengthened ties between the Institute and the National College Honors Council, developed innovative curricula alongside Honors faculty, and enhanced the Honors student experience through collaboration with many campus stakeholders. She has served on numerous faculty committees and her contributions also include playing a vital role in drafting the College’s strategic plan, Thiel 2026: Launching Leaders, as part of the strategic planning committee in 2021.

Nowinski earned a bachelor's degree from Boston College and a Ph.D. from the University of Notre Dame.

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“At Thiel College, our faculty are leaders who help guide our institution toward its goals. They work hard to make sure we stay true to our mission and deliver an excellent education as part of a close-knit scholarly community that offers students the knowledge and skills to thrive on campus and beyond.

Our primary goal is to help students succeed in their career. We do this by offering great educational opportunities and having an amazing team of faculty and staff to support our students. Our faculty are tuned into what is going on in the world and bring this latest information into the classroom for the best learning experience possible.

I invite you to explore the many fantastic opportunities and resources available at Thiel. It’s what has helped generations of Tomcats achieve success.

Welcome to Thiel. We’re proud to be part of your educational journey and excited to help you choose a career path that will lead you to achieve personal and professional success.”

– Sheila Nowinski, Ph.D.
Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dean of the College

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