At Acadia University, students spend less time commuting and more time community building: more than a third of the student body lives on campus. The 100-hectare site in the Annapolis Valley has ivy-covered walls and sloping lawns dotted with trees. A student-run farm, as well as a hydroponic vertical growing system housed in a shipping container, supplies healthy, sustainable veggies and greens. Many of Acadia’s research spaces have been modernized, including the Acadia Science Complex. Students can study birds on the university’s private island wildlife reserve and access specialized labs for biomechanics and food and beverage analysis.

“Acadia’s strength is the blending of community engagement with classroom learning,” says president Peter Ricketts. “Our students learn by immersing themselves in the world around them—but they get to define their world. From renewable energy to community development to social justice, our students graduate as leaders of change.”

Students in most arts programs can pursue co-op work placements, letting them graduate with a year of professional experience. On average, 96 per cent of co-op students landed work terms throughout 2021. Students can connect with staff, alum and community members through the Acadia Café, an online networking program, or volunteer in the Sensory Motor Instructional and Leadership Experience (SMILE) program, which helps youth with disabilities participate in physical activities. Last year, to support diversity, Acadia established two new positions: a Black student success navigator and an Elder in residence. At the end of the day, students can cheer on one of the school’s 11 varsity sports teams.