University of Redlands joins Colleges That Change Lives

A national recognition. A Redlands kind of milestone. 

It often starts in a small classroom, with a professor who remembers your name and challenges your thinking. Or during a study abroad semester in Salzburg, when the world opens wider than you imagined. Sometimes it’s a self-designed major, a community service internship, or the moment you realize that what you're learning isn’t just for a grade—it’s for your life. 

These are the kinds of moments that shape a Redlands education. And this summer, the university will be recognized on a national stage. 

University of Redlands has officially joined Colleges That Change Lives  (CTCL)—a prestigious, mission-driven consortium of institutions known for putting students at the heart of everything they do. With this designation, Redlands becomes part of a network of 45 transformative colleges that share a core belief: college should be a life-changing experience, not just a pathway to a career. 

For more than a century, Redlands has championed that vision. With small class sizes, close faculty mentorship, a 13:1 student-to-faculty ratio, and a culture of personalized learning, the University has built an academic environment where students don’t just earn degrees—they design futures. Signature programs like the Salzburg Semester, one of the longest-running study abroad experiences in Central Europe, and the Johnston Center for Integrative Studies, where students build their own majors, reflect a commitment to learning that is both deeply personal and globally engaged. 

This philosophy is central to the CTCL mission, which began with former New York Times education editor Loren Pope’s groundbreaking 1996 book. Pope highlighted a group of lesser-known colleges that offered extraordinary undergraduate experiences—places that prioritize mentorship, transformation, and the power of fit over prestige. Today, CTCL continues that legacy as a nonprofit dedicated to helping students and families find institutions that reflect those values. 

President Krista Newkirk sees Redlands’ inclusion as a meaningful validation. “At Redlands, we are committed to a high-impact educational model that blends the liberal arts with professional studies and equips students to make a difference in the world,” she said. “This recognition affirms the value of our personalized approach and places us among a powerful cohort of institutions that share our passion for putting students first.” 

The CTCL expansion process is rigorous and intentional, including an intensive application and site visit. Institutions are invited to join only if they demonstrate a strong and consistent commitment to student-centered admissions, liberal arts-based academics, deep faculty engagement, and opportunities for real-world learning. Redlands’ decades-long emphasis on community service, required internships for every undergraduate, and an impressive track record of alumni satisfaction and career success made it a natural fit. 

“This is a significant moment for our organization,” said Ann Marano, executive director of CTCL. “We are excited to welcome the University of Redlands to our incredible group of member institutions. For over 100 years, the University has offered students an education firmly grounded in the liberal arts and real-world experiential learning. Graduates are prepared for professional success and lives of impact in the world. Redlands is a kindred spirit and mission-aligned with the institutions first uplifted by Loren Pope.”

For Kevin Dyerly ’00, ’04, vice president of enrollment, the recognition is personally rewarding. “I’ve admired Colleges That Change Lives for over 20 years,” he said. “When I learned more about its core values, I was surprised Redlands wasn’t already part of it. Helping us earn this designation has been a privilege, and I’m thrilled about the doors it will open for our students and the future of our institution.” 

Now part of a national cohort spanning 24 states, Redlands joins a group of colleges with varied academic models but one unifying vision: to prepare students not only for meaningful careers but for lives of purpose. For University of Redlands, joining CTCL is a renewed commitment to the transformative education that changes lives.