Bluffton University receives designations, staff award

BLUFFTON — Bluffton University received two designations for the 2025-26 academic year: the College of Distinction and a business and education college of distinction honors. The university's Director of Financial Aid Jayme Jarrett was also awarded the James W. Award. Colleges of Distinction are evaluated using criteria known as the Four Distinctions: Engaged Students, Great Teaching, Vibrant Community and Successful Outcomes. The Distinction highlights the educational impact of an institution, examining everything from first-year seminars and collaborative projects to undergraduate research, global learning and internships. "Bluffton University has been a College of Distinction for more than five years," said Claire Kleman, interim vice president of advancement and enrollment management, in a release from the university. "Being recognized as a prominent higher education institution in Ohio, as a Christian college, and with outstanding programs in education and business is an honor we are proud to have." Colleges of Distinction have recognized schools across the United States since 2000 for exceptional contributions to higher education. Bluffton University also earned a business and education college of distinction honors for 2025-26, based on the department's stability, practice experience, multidisciplinarity, collaborative learning, accreditation, trade ethics, specialization in field of study, dedicated advising and counseling, high-impact practices and industry connect. Jarrett was awarded the James W. Award for her financial aid work. The award is presented to an Ohio Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators member who exemplifies dedication to students, to the aid community and to the recipient's community. "I want students to see financial aid as an okay place to come," Jarrett said in a release. "I think sometimes financial aid is seen as the office of no, and I want people to understand that we do as much as we can … and try to help students achieve that dream of school." Named after James W. White, a retired director of financial aid at Oberlin College, the James W. White Award is one of the highest honors presented by OASFAA. As a first-generation college student, Jarrett has had a passion to help others with their financial aid so that they may pursue their own academic success. "I was that first-gen college student, so my admissions and financial aid folks where I went to undergrad really helped me," Jarrett said in the release. "It's 25 years later, and I'm still seeing first-gen college students and helping them through that process. I think when a family says thank you and 'you've really helped,' that's amazing." During her first year at Bluffton, Jarrett along with her team, helped families solve FAFSA related issues when delays took place in October 2023. Jarret accredits patience and understanding in building relationships with students and their families during the financial aid process. "I might know this stuff, but a lot of times the students or their families are hearing about financial aid for the first time," Jarrett explained in the release. "Being patient, using terms that families and students can understand and recognizing that there's been a lot of change helps a lot."