The Marist Experience

What makes Marist so special?

We believe it starts with our mission and values. The College was founded by the Marist Brothers, who first arrived in Poughkeepsie in 1905. The Marist Brothers were and are famous for their skill and dedication as educators and, even though Marist has not been religiously affiliated for many years, their values remain central to who we are. Those core values are excellence in education, a sense of community, and a commitment to service.

From U.S. News & World Report to Barron’s to Kiplinger’s Personal Finance, the College is recognized for both educational excellence and exceptional value. Most gratifying has been our inclusion in The Princeton Review’s book Colleges That Create Futures: 50 Schools That Launch Careers By Going Beyond the Classroom, which lists Marist alongside such schools as Princeton, MIT, Stanford, Duke, the University of Pennsylvania, and Notre Dame. 

At Marist, we demonstrate excellence in education through an emphasis on quality teaching in a small classroom setting. Our dedicated faculty really get to know their students, leading to mentorship, joint research opportunities, and intellectual guidance. We believe in the value of a liberal arts education and the idea that all students–no matter what their primary field of study–should receive a broad education across many disciplines, learn to think logically and creatively, and be able to communicate effectively. Excellence in education also includes a forward-looking educational philosophy that incorporates the use of technology and meaningful learning opportunities outside the classroom–everything from internships to study abroad to leadership development programs. At Marist, we believe that the best type of education prepares students for success after college.

Visitors to campus are always struck by the strong sense of community here, which manifests itself in ways large and small: The way people interact with and support each other; The way the community rallies around someone in need. It’s a place where students are both actively involved and supported, and their engagement in student life makes us a better, more vibrant institution. There are scores of student clubs; an active student government; exciting Division I athletics, intramurals, and club sports; and first-rate opportunities in music and the arts. Mindful of their role in the global community, 50 percent of our undergraduates study abroad. Indeed, we are constantly impressed by our students’ enthusiasm for all they do. That sense of community is also enhanced by our spectacular campus on the shores of the Hudson River (as well as our campus in the historic center of Florence, Italy). With beautiful buildings and unmatched river views, Marist is without doubt a fantastic place to live and learn.

At Marist, we recognize that those of us who have been blessed by good fortune have an obligation to give back, and that’s why our commitment to social justice and serving others runs so deep. As an institution, Marist supports a wide variety of programs to meet the community’s needs and broaden access to education. We also encourage our students to get involved in community service – not only because it’s the right thing to do, but because it’s also good preparation for life. Marist students volunteer in our local community and around the world – everything from mentoring young people right here in Poughkeepsie to building houses in Arkansas to teaching computer skills to children in Mexico. They raise money to help wounded warriors, fight HIV/AIDS, and defeat breast cancer and they do it all with a sense of optimism that they can have a lasting impact. We believe that service to others builds character. The Marist Brothers call it “doing good quietly,” and it is what all of us are called upon to do.