Overview
With a History and Mission of Social Justice and Service to the Poor and Outcast, Rivier Educates the "Whole Person"
Rivier College, a privately-run Catholic institution, is located in Nashua, New Hampshire. It is a coeducational liberal arts college offering undergraduate and graduate education through both day and evening schedules. Named for Blessed Anne-Marie Rivier, who founded the Sisters of the Presentation of Mary, Rivier opened in 1933 in Hudson, New Hampshire, moving in 1941 to Nashua.
As the bicentennial of the founding of the Sisters of the Presentation of Mary in 1796 approached, the college recommitted itself in 1995 to Anne-Marie Rivier's mission of social justice and service. Rivier is ever faithful to its original goal of educating the whole person in heart, mind, soul, and spirit.
Challenging Curriculum and Real-Life Lessons in Social Service Reach the Heart, Mind, Soul, and Spirit
Rivier maintains an unshakable commitment to academic excellence, offering its more than 1,400 undergraduate students diverse programs taught by talented faculty. A student-faculty ratio of 18:1 and small classes give students a personalized education from accessible teachers.
Approximately 30 percent of undergraduates are in the teacher education program. Nursing is next with 26 percent of undergraduate students, with business in third place. Computer science and paralegal studies have seen a recent influx, while pre-professional and professional preparation is a mainstay at Rivier.
Certificates are given in five areas, while AA/AS degrees are awarded in art, early childhood education, liberal studies, and nursing. Employment opportunities for graduates are many and varied, as Rivier prepares students for careers that are always in demand.
A strong sense of service pervades Rivier, with service and ministry particularly directed toward undergraduates. Campus ministry programs that serve the personal, social, and spiritual needs of the community are grounded in Rivier's Roman Catholic character. Campus ministry efforts cover faith formation, service, spiritual and personal growth, peace and social justice, and leadership development. Members of every faith participate in all religious and service programs.
City of Nashua Offers Cultural Resources and Campus Life Offers Freshman Aids, Student Clubs, and "Life Support"
Nashua, New Hampshire, offers many cultural, recreational, and social activities. Galleries and museums balance such popular activities as music and recreation (hiking, boating, and skiing). Getting around campus and town is easy, as Rivier College students, teachers, and staff can use Nashua Transit buses without charge. The Rivier ID is a "free pass" during all service hours, to and from all stops. The Rivier bus stop is directly in front of the Regina Library.
Also, with the appropriate permit, students can park their car in designated areas on campus. By car, bus, or train, all the riches of New England are on tap for research, internships, part-time jobs, and fun.
Student involvement in campus life is integral to Rivier's educational goal. Enrolling students must appreciate Rivier's mission and exhibit self-discipline and mutual respect in an environment of Christian principles. This commitment undergirds such extracurricular activities as concerts, speaking engagements, and performances, while various student organizations further expand Rivier's "whole person" education.
Staff members live in all residence halls and help new students adjust to life at Rivier. First-year students also participate in a three-part freshman seminar series on writing, reasoning, and religion. Students reflect on their roles in today's world and their responsibility for helping others.
International students from Nepal, Romania, Bolivia, India, and half a dozen other countries bring a global, multicultural perspective, enriching both academic and interpersonal spheres on campus.
Exchange Courses and Internships Are Available to Broaden the Horizons of All Rivier Students
Several academic departments offer internships, from teaching roles for education majors to clinical settings for nursing students, with fieldwork opportunities also available in other programs. Students can earn academic credit in these experiences while testing their preparation in real-world situations.
Rivier College is a member of the New Hampshire College and University Council (NHCUC), so full-time degree seekers can enroll for one or more courses per semester, or for one or two semesters full-time, at participating schools. After approval from an academic adviser, a student earns credit with a minimum grade of C. The college is not obligated to accept credits for unauthorized courses, and grade points earned off-campus are not used in figuring the student's average at Rivier.
Athletics Stress General Health and Physical Fitness, While Team Sports Are Numerous, Varied, and Competitive
The physical education program at Rivier offers a wide range of activities focused on fitness/wellness, lifetime skills, and health. The Rivier Raiders compete in Division III of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), and are members of various other East Coast associations. Rivier fields 13 varsity teams, six men's and seven women's, with particular strength (and recent championships) in softball, men's basketball, and men's and women's volleyball. Teams also compete in baseball, cross-country, and other sports.
Various Scholarships, Financial Aid Programs, and Merit- and Need-Based Grants Benefit Rivier Students
Rivier College offers students various types of scholarships and financial aid. Rivier's commitment to students extends to its institutional need- and merit-based grant programs, which disbursed almost $6 million in 2008.
Graduates Rate Rivier College High on Faculty Accessibility, Collaboration, Scholastic Success, and Campus Life
Rivier College graduates rate the school highly, visiting such Internet sites as StudentReviews.com to voice their opinions. The faculty is noted as "friendly" and "helpful," while a solid score of "B" or higher was tallied in such categories as scholastic success, extracurricular activities, and campus safety.
