Your future starts here. In this collection of stories curated just for you, you’ll discover the value of Rollins’ unique approach to liberal arts education, which prioritizes your goals and dreams and gives you the tools to reach them. You’ll see what it’s like to live and learn on America’s most beautiful campus and how the care and support we give our students helps them thrive in all aspects of college life. You’ll also get a taste of campus dining and find out why Orlando is one of the nation’s top college cities. As you come to the end of this issue, I hope you’ll be inspired to take the next step toward creating your best life and join us here at Rollins as we make the world brighter and more open to possibility.
Fiat Lux, Zaire Lionel Dean of Admission Rollins College
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Everyone from The Princeton Review to Condé Nast Traveler has dubbed Rollins one of the nation’s most beautiful college campuses, but we’re far more than a pretty face. Zoom in and you’ll discover a rich history spanning more than 135 years and a bright future that’s reaching well into the 21st century. What will you discover within and outside these walls? Dive in to find out.
Take a closer look at life at Rollins through everything from in-person campus visits and virtual tours to one-onone chats with our students and admission counselors.
Rollins is located just minutes from downtown Orlando, which was recently ranked by WalletHub as the No. 3 city for college students in the country and among the best cities in the nation for jobs. More than 150 international companies representing 20 countries do business in the City Beautiful. And when it’s time to unwind, Orlando is abuzz with entertainment options— from Broadway shows to world-class theme parks.
FIND YOUR FIT
The Center for Campus Involvement in the Cornell Campus Center facilitates more than 100 student organizations. We’re talking Greek life, cultural orgs, club sports like surfing and pickleball, political associations, arts collectives, and service-based groups. You can even join the Rollins Dungeons & Dragons Guild or the Star Wars club or start your own student organization.
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With the goal of supporting and enhancing the physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing of all students, the Rollins Wellness Center is equipped to help you manage the many layers of your health and wellness—from our on-site board-certified nurse practitioners to our trained mental health counselors who are available 24/7.
Park Avenue, Winter Park’s chic downtown drag, is an extension of campus. In addition to toptier shopping and dining, our beloved hometown’s alluring draws include renowned museums, a weekend farmers market, and tons of greenspace where you can soak up the Florida sunshine year-round.
The College’s headquarters of applied learning, Kathleen W. Rollins Hall, is your one-stop shop for life-changing and career-defining experiences. You can take to the airwaves on WPRK, our very own radio station, or get involved with other media outlets like our student-run newspaper. You can also explore internships with our Center for Career & Life Planning or brainstorm ideas for changemaking ventures in the Social Impact Hub.
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One glance inside the Bush Science Center reveals students and faculty hard at work conducting original research, making discoveries, and collaborating across the STEM fields—from building microscopes from scratch to designing mathematical models of opioid use that can help inform policy decisions.
Both the historic Annie Russell Theatre and the new Tiedtke Theatre & Dance Centre, with its custom-built blackbox theater, dance studio, and costume design and technology lab, set the stage for many student performers to hone their star power. Just ask Ani Henry-Walker ’25, who was among the first group of students to perform on the black-box stage in this season’s production of Metamorphoses
Lake Virginia offers unparalleled opportunities for both recreation and education. Start your day with a paddleboarding session to awaken your mind to the possibilities of the afternoon: holding a baby turtle in its natural habitat during a biology class while learning about the diverse species of marine life that call Lake Virginia home.
6“Offering a comment or posing a question felt natural, which not only facilitated my active engagement but also allowed professors to get to know me in and out of class. This translated into more personalized learning and impactful letters of recommendation.”
Caroline Husebo ’23 Proposal Analyst, Lockheed Martin
At Rollins, our commitment to small, discussion-based classes drives deeper learning and deeper connection.
Walking into a classroom on some college campuses can feel daunting. Where do you sit in a massive lecture hall? What will the professor expect from you? Who’s going to be in the room? How will you make yourself heard? At Rollins, the answers are comforting. The professor will ask you to participate in class discussions, and your fellow students will bring diverse perspectives.
Together you’ll explore new ideas and build lasting relationships. With a student-faculty ratio of just 11:1 and an average of 17 students per class, our professors are deeply invested in your success, and your voice will be an essential part of every conversation. You’ll walk into a Rollins classroom and learn how to learn, and you’ll leave ready to make your mark on the world.
“I’m constantly in meetings and expected to speak up because the department is pretty small, so I get regular exposure to VPs and partners. On the first day, I realized this was nothing new to me—I’d already done a lot of presentations and had ongoing discussions with all sorts of people. You build knowledge, courage, and confidence from your first semester at Rollins.”
Beatriz Olivieri ’22 ESG Business Analyst, Travel + Leisure Co.
American Studies*
Anthropology*
Art (Studio)*
Art History*
Asian Studies*
Biochemistry/Molecular Biology*
Biology*
Business (International)*
Business (Management)*
Business (Social Entrepreneurship)*
Chemistry*
Classical Studies*
Communication Studies*
Computer Science*
“In grad school, I’ve been able to engage better with the reading material than my peers and have been actively participating in class without the fear of being ‘wrong.’ The pedagogy at Rollins teaches you not to be afraid to question or not know something because it is through this process that we learn.”
Francisco Wang ’22 MPhil Candidate, University of Cambridge
Critical Media and Cultural Studies*
Economics*
Elementary Education*
English*
Environmental Studies*
History*
International Relations*
Latin American and Caribbean Studies*
Marine Biology
Mathematics*
Music*
Philosophy*
Physics*
Political Science*
Pre-Engineering
Psychology*
“Rollins’ emphasis on research, teamwork, and teaching you how to learn was the perfect preparation for the field of computer science, which is always changing. Rollins professors are really good at fostering a love of learning in a highly collaborative environment.”
Hannah Holman ’18 Software Engineer, Google
Public Policy and Political Economy
Religious Studies*
Sociology*
Spanish*
Theatre Arts*
African & African American Studies
Archaeology
Australian Studies
Cultural Anthropology
Dance
Data Analytics
Ethics
Film Studies
French
Global Health
Jewish Studies
Middle Eastern and North African Studies
Neuroscience
Secondary Education
Sexuality, Women’s, and Gender Studies
Sustainable Development and the Environment
Writing
ACCELERATED PATHWAYS
Accelerated Management Program (3/2 BA/MBA)
Applied Behavior Analysis (BA/MA)
Education (BA/MA)
Engineering (BA/BS)
Human Resources (BA/MA)
Liberal Studies (BA/MA)
Public Health (BA/MA)
Strategic Communication (BA/MA)
PRE-PROFESSIONAL PROGRAMS
Allied Health
Dentistry
Law
Medicine
Optometry
Podiatry
Veterinary Medicine
*Also offered as a minor
* Also offered as a minor Learn more about our majors, including popular courses, potential career paths, and the expert faculty who will guide you on your journey. rollins.college/majors
It’s no wonder that Rollins is dishing up some of the best campus dining in the nation—we’re located minutes away from Orlando, one of the top foodie cities in the country, and just steps from the food mecca of downtown Winter Park. In fact, we’ve been recognized by everyone from The Princeton Review to The Daily Meal for our culinary cachet, with options for every palate and preference. Take this quiz to see which campus dining spot is right for you.
Looking for something grab-and-go or made-to-order?
Our on-campus market has everything from organic produce, groceries, and sundries to pastries baked on-site, rotisserie chickens fresh out of the oven, and a coffee bar where you can choose beans from different regions to create your own custom blend. It’s perfect for a grab-and-go meal … or a grab-andlounge poolside meal.
Made-to-order
Pop into Fox Lodge Grill—located inside our Lakeside Neighborhood residence hall—for a cold brew and avocado toast on ciabatta bread or maybe a classic Cuban sandwich with an order of tequeños. Enjoy your made-to-order meal poolside while soaking up some vitamin D or take it back up to your suite-style apartment to finish up that study session—choices abound.
The menu should basically be a novel.
Our main dining hall overlooking picturesque Lake Virginia features a variety of food options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner—from waffles to wood-fired pizza. Enjoy buffalo chicken on Wednesdays, choose local produce at the salad bar, or check out the Simple Servings station for kosher, halal, and expanded gluten-free options.
I love to go out.
Nah, I could eat.
Prefer lots of options or craving something specific?
I’m down for some international cuisine.
Craving a snack or hungry for a full meal?
Hungry for more?
Join your future classmates on a culinary tour of campus dining and local eateries.
Give me Asian fare.
Enjoy a rotating menu of pan-Asian cuisine, like sweet and spicy pork, hand-rolled sushi, or vegetarianfriendly options like Mongolian tofu and stir-fried eggplant—all cooked to order and made in-house. Dave’s also carries an assortment of boba tea and a bevy of colorful specialty drinks from Japan, South Korea, and beyond.
In the mood for Mexican Snackies all day
At this Tex Mex-style eatery, lovingly dubbed “Tarpotle,” tear into a chicken bowl or a hearty veggie burrito with a side of Mexican street corn while enjoying the charming view from the Cornell Hall courtyard. Other favorites include tacos, gourmet tortilla chips, house-made guacamole, and refreshing aguas frescas.
Take a little breather between classes in the Bush Science Center as you sip a fresh-made smoothie or an iced caramel macchiato while noshing on an acai bowl topped with Nutella, granola, and banana. Our in-house Starbucks serves up coffee, tea, snacks, and even cake pops, which were just added by popular demand.
We’re giving you an inside look at our living-learning communities— purposefully designed spaces that support every aspect of college life. Our 19 residence halls are more than just a comfy place to lay your head at night. They’re vibrant living-learning communities (LLC) where you can collaborate on group projects, attend class, grab a workout, and cook dinner with your besties. They’re also situated on America’s most beautiful campus, which means you could have a poolside paradise right downstairs or a room overlooking shimmering Lake Virginia. Find out what it’s like to live, learn, eat, and play at Rollins.
“I’ve learned so much from living in close quarters with students of many interests and identities, whether it’s different races and ethnicities, genders, sexuality, religion, or academic disciplines,” shares communication major Jaheim Morris ’24. “Living with people with distinct identities and perspectives allows us the chance to grow as global citizens and responsible leaders.”
As a first-year student, you’ll live and learn in select res halls alongside classmates from your Rollins College Conference (RCC) course, a cohort-based class that acts as a roadmap for your Rollins journey. You’ll explore diverse topics in interactive seminars and meet regularly with both your RCC professor—who acts as your dedicated advisor your first year—and your peer mentor, a second-, third-, or fourth-year Tar who helps you navigate the ins and outs of college life.
Searching for ways to connect and get involved? Our residence halls don’t just house students—they house offices dedicated to everything from residential life and campus involvement to the pursuit of social justice. Some of our LLCs have a faculty-in-residence living alongside students, while well-trained resident assistants who facilitate in-hall programming, support, and mentorship are always just down the hall.
At Rollins, your education is powered by relationships. All of our living-learning communities feature dedicated collaborative spaces designed to foster unity and enhance the personalized learning experience, promoting both planned and impromptu dialogue while facilitating study sessions, student organization meetings, faculty discussions, and brainstorming huddles on a daily basis.
“I appreciate the convenience of having an array of dining options nearby,” shares psychology major Fatima Sani ’24. “I love grabbing cinnamon French toast from the Fox Lodge Grill in Lakeside and bringing it back up to my room, or taking advantage of quick options like fresh fruit salad from the C-Store if I'm on my way to class or a meeting.”
“For me, the gym and mental health are inseparable because being physically fit really helps my mindset overall,” says communication major Vern Andrews ’25. “At the fitness center and movement studio in Lakeside Neighborhood, I can work out solo or join group fitness classes. I like staying active because it keeps me moving forward, wards off stagnation, and helps me focus on my holistic wellness.”
When it comes to digs, we’ve got options—from shared rooms with common areas to apartment-style suites boasting full kitchens and private bathrooms. Maybe your room overlooks our very own white-sand beach or is just upstairs from your favorite dining spot. No matter where you land, you won’t be far from seizing every opportunity Rollins has to offer.
Explore some of the country’s best college residence halls through the eyes of the students who call Rollins home.
With myriad resources and services, you’ll receive a strong foundation at Rollins on which to build your dreams.
“The mentorship I’ve received at Rollins has played a pivotal role in my development,” says Elle Mannino ’25, a double major in philosophy and public policy and political economy. “These relationships have encouraged me to explore diverse perspectives and are fueling my aspiration to contribute meaningfully through a career in public policy.”
The Princeton Review recently ranked Rollins in the nation’s top 25 schools for student support. The rankings, which are based on real student feedback, reflect our commitment to giving you the care and support you need to live your best life. At Rollins we focus on the whole student, offering a vast array of supportive programs and resources that target the many layers of your college education—from juggling academics to maintaining your mental health. Explore a few of the many ways we have your back every step of the way.
You’ll have the opportunity to get a head-start.
Rollins offers several pre-matriculation programs that prepare students to thrive academically and socially once classes begin. EMBARK, for example, supports underrepresented students as they acclimate to college life. “Through activities around identity and privilege, EMBARK helped shape my perspective,” says Carla Daza ’20, who uses EMBARK principles like empathy every day in her role as a data scientist at Target.
Need a little more guidance in a course or with a paper? You can get one-on-one help from content tutors in our STEM Hub and from writing consultants in the Tutoring & Writing Center, where you can talk through concepts and drafts and improve your comprehension and skills.
Our dedicated staff will help prepare you to pursue your purpose by connecting your major to your career goals, identifying your unique skills, building your network, and sourcing internship and employment opportunities both on campus and beyond. We’ll help you plan for the future.
$89 million That’s the amount of financial aid available each year to Rollins students in combined federal, state, and institutional assistance. Our Office of Financial Aid is here to help you tap into it.
Finding your fit is easy.
Join one of our 100-plus studentled organizations or start your own. Make a difference by serving our community. Take part in campuswide traditions like LipSync and Fox Day. We have entire offices dedicated to things like campus involvement, inclusion and belonging, and community engagement, so you’ll feel at home from day one.
You’ll stay healthy and well.
Health and wellness are at the core of a Rollins education. The Rollins Wellness Center handles everything from routine exams to urgent care, and Rollins dining is consistently rated among the best in the country. It’s also easy to grab a stressrelieving workout on America’s most beautiful campus—from yoga on Mills Lawn to paddleboarding on Lake Virginia.
Our faculty are invested in you.
From convocation through commencement, you have a dedicated faculty advisor— starting with your first-year RCC professor and then in your major— who will help you channel your passions and forge your path.
You’ll always have access to the essentials.
For those facing financial challenges, our Student Support Foundation maintains a food pantry, which has been recently expanded to offer perishable and nonperishable food, hygiene products, school essentials, and a career closet of professional attire for interviews. Grants are also available for educational, personal, and professional development.
Sometimes we need someone to talk to about things big and small. That’s normal and we’re here to help—whether it’s through ongoing support like individual or group therapy or our Rollins Mental Health Helpline, which is available around the clock.
As you explore colleges, it’s only natural to have a ton of questions. What’s it like to live on campus? How fast will I make friends? Is the food any good? We collected some of your top queries about life at the No. 1 regional university in the South and asked the experts—current Rollins students—to give you answers based on their experience. Here, we’ve assembled some of the highlights, but scan this code or head to rollins.college/answers to hear everything they had to say. By the end, we hope the only question you have left is “How do I apply?”
“Very small. The biggest class I’ve had was 22 students and the smallest was nine. I really like that because the professors will all know your name by the end of the first week and it makes you feel like more than just a number. Classes are also very discussionbased. In high school, it was more like a teacher told you information, you remembered it, and then spit it back out on a test. That’s not what it’s like here. Here, it’s more like you do a reading and come to class prepared to discuss it with your professor and classmates.”
Ella Ridlen ’26, communication studies major
If you ever have a question about Rollins, the answer is just a text away. Ten of our student tour guides are always standing by, ready to answer any question— big or small. Visit rollins.college/visit to learn more.
“I can’t imagine a more welcoming place with more welcoming people. I had a bit of a difficult transition to college. I was far from home and got a little homesick, but I had so many amazing people around me to make me feel like Rollins was a new home and I’m so thankful for that. There are just a ton of people with diverse and amazing experiences from all different backgrounds so you’re getting to learn not only what you’re learning in class but also about the world around you and the people in it.” — Evan Troutman ’26, marine biology and chemistry double major
“Fox Day is a day in the spring every year where the president calls off classes because it’s too beautiful outside. So basically the entire campus goes to Disney World, Universal, or the beach and just enjoys the day. Then everyone comes back to campus in the evening for a big barbecue on Mills Lawn.” Lexie Cooper ’26, biochemistry/molecular biology major
“Because the second I stepped on campus I felt right at home. The professors truly want to get to know you and everyone is so supportive—they really start to feel like your second family.” Nicki Totorico ’26, international relations major
As a Rollins student, you’ll gain the knowledge, experience, and expertise to pursue your purpose.
Forging a path to the future you want can feel both daunting and exhilarating. At Rollins, we’re here to help you realize your dreams and inspire you to find new ones. Through Rollins Gateway, our signature approach to liberal arts education, you’ll secure the skills, know-how, and experiences you need to stand out from the status quo.
You’ll develop a broad range of knowledge across disciplines, deep expertise in your major, and a toolkit of skills like analytical thinking and complex problemsolving that prepare you to adapt and thrive no matter the challenges you face. You’ll have opportunities to pursue everything from internships and research to study abroad and community service that will augment what you’re learning in the classroom and give you the hands-on experience you need to hit the ground running when you graduate. And you’ll be introduced to faculty, alumni, staff, and fellow students who will serve as meaningful mentors at every step of your journey.
But don’t just take our word for it. We invite you to envision what your own path to purpose will look like while discovering how one recent graduate’s Rollins Gateway led to a passion for global development.
“I had always wanted to make some kind of change in the world but didn’t know how.
Every year at Rollins helped me narrow a path for myself.”
Major: International relations
Hometown: Winter Springs, Florida
Current status: In Uganda, working as a Fulbright Research Fellow with the Justice and Reconciliation Project to create a database of child victims of war that will be used by the Ugandan government and NGOs to provide essential support
Regardless of the path you choose, you’ll gain a solid foundation of knowledge and skills to succeed in our ever-changing world. Our small class sizes—just 17 students on average—combined with our unique approach to a liberal arts education ensure you get the attention you need and leave equipped with a suite of 21st-century skills like creative problem solving, critical thinking, and collaborative teamwork that will allow you to thrive no matter what the future throws at you.
“At Rollins, I learned to think critically and through a global lens. [Political science professor] Dan Chong’s class, Politics of Global Poverty, confirmed my passion for global development, and now I’m publishing a book with him that will be taught to students in the same class that sparked my interests.”
You’ll put the future-proof skills you learn in our small, discussion-based classes to work in the world through everything from internships to study abroad. You’ll not only develop your passions and discover your purpose through these immersive experiences, but you’ll also gain the kind of practical, real-world know-how that employers and graduate schools demand.
“I spent a semester abroad in Uganda, where I learned firsthand about community-based development by speaking with former child soldiers, refugees, and women impacted by gender-based violence. I also conducted research on the gap between policy and the needs of people living in remote Ugandan villages. This hands-on experience was essential to being selected for the Fulbright research fellowship, which is allowing me to continue the important work I started as a student at Rollins.”
Along your Rollins journey, you’ll be guided by a constellation of mentors who will help you feel better prepared for your classes, your career, and your life. From faculty advisors and staff experts to peer guides and alumni mentors, you’ll be supported by people who care deeply about you and are actively invested in your personal and professional success. Best of all, they can answer your questions—even the ones you don’t think to ask.
“I received so much support from the Office of International Programs, the Office of External Fellowships & Scholarships, Rollins alumni, and my professors. My greatest mentor, Dr. Chong, helped me define my career goals, edited drafts for the fellowships and scholarships I applied to, and has been my biggest supporter. He saw me for the person I wanted to be, which pushed me to become that person.”
“I wouldn’t have been able to do any of this without Rollins. I wouldn’t have found my passion and be in Uganda now, or have been introduced to so many opportunities, or have received mentorship from Professor Chong, which has absolutely changed my life.”
The value of Rollins Gateway is in the combination of your experiences, in the connections you make between them and how they uniquely combine to create the path only you alone can walk. With the knowledge and skills to adapt to an ever-changing world, a wealth of real-world experience, and a strong network of relationships that will extend well past Rollins, you’ll join the ranks of our alumni who have gone on to work at Fortune 500 companies, attend the world’s best graduate schools, launch successful startups, and make a difference in the world both locally and globally.
Scan or head to rollins.college/gateway to start envisioning what your pathway to purpose will look like.
Near adventures and opportunity galore, Rollins is more than a home base to live and learn—it’s a gateway to the best of Winter Park and Orlando.
Experience—both in and outside the classroom—is a hallmark of a Rollins education. And thanks to our prime location in Winter Park just minutes from Orlando’s city center, we’re perfectly positioned to access a bustling tourism industry, thriving tech companies, aerospace industry giants, and plenty of recreational adventures.
Explore theme parks and green parks, take in a pro basketball game or a Broadway show, and network to your heart’s content in one of the fastest-growing job markets in the nation. In fact, WalletHub recently named Orlando as a top college city and the No. 1 best place to start a career, so get ready to start your life’s greatest journey—and you don’t even need a jacket. With an average temp of 72 degrees, getting to know your new hometown and all that it has to offer is always a sunny prospect.
Whether it’s on foot, by rail, or by car, discover how our proximity to fun and opportunity serves our students in work and at play.
Local favorite The Briarpatch has been serving comfort-food classics like homemade waffles topped with Nutella and eggs benedict alongside scrumptious lunch fare like stacked burgers and sandwiches for over 40 years.
There’s a lot of hype around Detroit-style pizzeria SoDough Square—which just moved in around the corner—and for good reason. Everything is made in-house, including their proprietary brick cheese blend and signature dough, which is quickly gaining major street cred.
With its award-winning dining, chic boutiques, and unique charm, downtown Winter Park—particularly its main thoroughfare Park Avenue—is one of the most beloved spots in Central Florida. Lucky for us, it’s essentially an extension of campus, so you’re just a quick walk away from taking it all in.
Rollins’ close ties with city organizations like the Winter Park Chamber of Commerce mean our students get the opportunity to partner on real-world projects. “I got to practice every skill I’ve cultivated at Rollins and apply them to real-life scenarios,” says business management major Nicole Kury ’24, who recently worked to provide data and critical insights to the Chamber as part of an independent study course.
You don’t even have to leave campus to leave land. Just walk over to the Rollins boathouse, where you can jump in a kayak, hop on a paddleboard, or don a pair of waterskis to explore beautiful Lake Virginia, your year-round playground.
Owned by Rollins, The Alfond Inn directs all net revenue to scholarships for our best and brightest students. A recent expansion of the boutique hotel has added amenities like a luxury spa and a new cafe, the perfect spot to meet friends for coffee or a group study sesh.
Fresh goat cheese crumbled onto butter-softened bread. Butterflies hatching in jars. Just-picked cuts of wildflowers. These are just a few of the must-have finds that make the Winter Park Farmers Market one of the area’s most anticipated weekly events.
Leading Winter Park companies like financial firm DePrince, Race & Zollo (DPZ) regularly offer internships to Rollins students as well as opportunities to come aboard full-time
after graduation. “I learned so much about the industry in such a short span of time,” says international business major Efe Comu ’24, who recently interned at DPZ as a financial analyst. “It gave me an authentic look at this field and helped me build a network.”
The College’s very own art museum, the Rollins Museum of Art (RMA), regularly exhibits the work of art majors as they hone their craft and displays thought-provoking pieces from its Alfond Collection of Contemporary Art at The Alfond Inn. You can also walk to the Morse Museum, home to the world’s most extensive collection of stained glass by Louis Comfort Tiffany, and the Albin Polasek Museum & Sculpture Gardens.
Burger-Fi elevates the burger concept with chef-crafted creations like the CEO, a Wagyu patty topped with candied bacon-tomato jam, aged Swiss, and truffle aioli. They have vegetarian and vegan options too, and you can even use your Rollins dining dollars.
You never know what’ll happen at one of SAK Comedy Lab’s live improv shows, and big-name comedians often stop here on national tours to try out new material.
Pigzza is the newest resident in the Mills 50 neighborhood and is already becoming famous for its twists on modern classics like cacio e pepe fries and brisket ravioli.
The Kia Center arena is the home of our pro basketball team, but it also attracts major concert tours— everyone from Nicki Minaj and Doja Cat to Janet Jackson and Paul McCartney.
From the SunRail station—just a five-minute walk from campus—you can traverse much of our surrounding area. The AdventHealth and Church Street stops are two of our favorites for exploring the thriving metropolis of downtown Orlando.
From soccer teams Orlando City and Orlando Pride to the NBA’s Orlando Magic and the Solar Bears hockey team, you’re never far from taking in a pro game.
The state-of-the-art Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts hosts world-class touring shows like Hadestown and Wicked alongside internships for Rollins students.
Located in Orlando’s new Creative Village district, The Monroe is the perfect place to meet up with your fellow classmates to brainstorm your new idea for a social enterprise.
“As an intern at AdventHealth, I quickly adapted to new environments and learned the basics about marketing a large corporation,” says communication major Madison Bailey ’24.
Our grads often stay in Orlando to work for tech titans like Electronic Arts, as well as real estate developers, financial firms, and consultancies looking to support the city’s rapid economic growth.
Interactive arts and performance festival Immerse takes over the streets of downtown Orlando for a weekend each fall. Think flying acrobats and epic fireworks.
Our theme parks are a magical place for fun and for learning. Just ask Haley Stoddard ’24, who recently worked as a travel sales intern at Universal Studios
Rollins is less than 50 miles from the Atlantic Ocean and only 70 from the Gulf of Mexico. Because a Rollins education means the world is your classroom, you may even visit the beach for course credit.
Orlando is just 45 minutes from Port Canaveral, the world’s second busiest cruise port. Business major Julia Derkowski ’23 recently turned an internship at Royal Caribbean into a position in HR.
Grab some friends and get in the carpool lane. These adventures and opportunities might be a little farther afield, but they’re totally worth the drive and all within 45 minutes of campus.
Spend the afternoon tubing down a lazy river at Wekiva Springs. Learn about native plants at Leu Gardens. Or head downtown to Lake Eola for a sunset outdoor concert.
The East End Market dishes up coveted treats like homemade noodles at Domu, cookies from Gideon’s Bakehouse, and vegan chicken biscuits from Winter Park Biscuit Company.
At Kennedy Space Center, you can attend launches, but why just watch? Physics major Makayle Kellison ’25 recently studied the acoustic impact of the historic Artemis I rocket launch.
Known for cult classics and indie flicks, the Enzian Theatre is the heart of the Florida Film Festival, an annual gathering of Hollywood stars, cinema buffs, and filmmakers.
Fast-growing Lake Nona is ripe for exploration—from an innovation hub dedicated to creating 5G-enabled solutions to a town center complete with eateries, boutiques, and event venues.
Explore 50 reasons why Tars love living and learning in the City Beautiful.
At
Rollins,
you’ll reach far beyond the walls of the classroom to hone your knowledge and skills through immersive handson experiences. Explore a few of your fellow classmates’ most valuable takeaways from their recent ventures into the real world.
Check out rollinslife.com for more #unfiltered sights from the Rollins experience.
“Learning to be open-minded and being able to critically analyze different cultural situations during my semester of study abroad in Singapore has really allowed me to thrive in Taiwan, where I’m studying Chinese language as a Critical Language Scholar.”
Alexa Macias ’23 International business, Asian studies, and international relations triple major
“I learned so much about different styles of costumes and clothing during my campus employment at the Costume Shop, and it’s really made me appreciate the importance of this aspect of theater production.”
Joe Lionetti ’24 Theatre arts major
“Working on water-filtration student-faculty research both in the lab and on the ground has sparked a passion for service, research, and scientific growth.”
Madison Linn ’25 Biochemistry/ molecular biology major
“I taught English to schoolchildren during a field study in Rwanda, which reshaped my view on the world. It helped me step out of my comfort zone, which helped me make an impact.”
Isaiah Parra ’24 Political science major
“I applied the criticalthinking, problem-solving, and presentation skills I gained at Rollins every day during my sea lion internship with the Audubon Nature Institute.”
Emma Greene ’24 Marine biology major
“On this Immersion, I saw ways to combine all of my interests in art, social entrepreneurship, and the environment by working with local government officials, nonprofits, and community leaders to better understand how Colorado deals with pressing issues facing its citizens."
Emily McClave ’25 Studio art major
“Exploring New York City with the Women in Finance program ignited my passion for both finance and urban diversity and helped shape my perspective on opportunity and empowerment.”
Adara Evans ’26 Business management major
Learn more about how students at Rollins put what they’re learning into practice.
Rollins’ winning combination of academic and athletic excellence empowers student-athletes like Ben Kopen ’24 to thrive both on and off the field.
Rollins scores big when it comes to both athletics and academics, regularly ranking among the best Division II colleges nationwide. We’ve clinched the NCAA President’s Award for Academic Excellence for 12 consecutive years, boasting the highest academic success rate in the Sunshine State Conference and the seventh highest in the nation.
Our student-athletes are equipped to unleash their full potential whether it’s in class or on the field. Just ask business management major and lacrosse player Ben Kopen ’24. He has gained invaluable experience while forging lifelong connections and receiving an education that goes beyond textbooks and athletic competitions.
“Skills like leadership, teamwork, and adaptability are invaluable assets that will shape my journey long after graduation,” he says.
Tag along with Ben to get a behind-the-scenes look at how he’s leveraging Rollins’ competitive advantage on his pathway to purpose.
“I’ve learned so much about coachability and adaptability, about working in teams and, now as a senior, leading teams. Our defensive coordinator, Coach Gary DiClementi, does a really good job of pushing me as hard as he can. In his office, he has a sign that says, ‘Call your mother.’ It’s one example of the reminders the coaches give us to be good people and always be thinking of more than just the next game.”
“The buffet-style dining hall at the Campus Center has so many options. As athletes, we’re running around in 95-degree weather, so trying to get as many calories in as possible to replenish our bodies and make sure we’re building muscle is super important. Mobile-ordering at a few of the other campus dining spots is great too since often I don’t have time to sit down for a meal.”
“Throughout my time at Rollins, my professors took note of the topics I gravitated toward in class, recommending internships and helping me look at courses that matched my interests. At a small school like Rollins, professors are really able to connect with their students because they get to know you as a person.”
“Even though Rollins is a DII school, it has state-ofthe-art training and sports facilities. Each team is assigned to a specific trainer who oversees things like nutrition, workout regimens, and muscle recovery to make sure we’re in peak condition. While I put heating pads on my legs and use Normatec compressions, I also like to get some studying or homework done.”
“Rollins really emphasizes applied learning. I studied abroad in Rome for a semester, and I’ve done multiple internships. Recently, I worked as a corporate finance and strategy intern at the Orlando Utilities Commission, which helped me narrow down my job search to equity research positions within the financial sector.”
“Every first-year or transfer student on the lacrosse team is assigned to an older teammate to help them adjust to college. My peer mentor helped me a lot with time management because with academics, games, and practices, it gets hectic. It’s great to pay that forward now with my mentee. We get together pretty often and play pickleball or meet for coffee or I’ll help him proofread an essay.”
See how our student-athletes are setting the pace—in competition and in the classroom.
190 International students from 74 countries (fall 2023)
60+ Areas of study
100+ Student clubs and organizations
Select Awards & Rankings
No. 1 Regional University in the South U.S. News & World Report, 2019-2024
Top 100 Liberal Arts Colleges in America Niche, 2024
Top 3 for Committment to Undergraduate Teaching U.S. News & World Report, 2024
Top 10 Best Value School
U.S. News & World Report, 2023
Top 25 Best Classroom Experiences
The Princeton Review, 2023
21 NCAA Division II Athletic Teams
90+ Study abroad programs
2,297 College of Liberal Arts enrollment (fall 2023)
11:1 Student-faculty ratio
Top 10 Nationally for Academic and Athletic Excellence NCAA, 2011-2024
Top Producer of Fulbright Scholars U.S. Department of State, 2013–2017, 2019-2024
Top 10 for Percentage of Students Who Study Abroad
Institute for International Education, 2013–2023
Top 20 Best Campus Food
The Princeton Review, 2023
17 Average class size
94% of Rollins graduates engaged in the workforce, grad school, or volunteer service 12 months
Parker Magness ’18 came to Rollins knowing he wanted to fight climate change but not knowing what direction he would take.
After serving as an AmeriCorp Fellow and as a clean energy intern for the New York state government, Parker Magness ’18 landed a position as business development manager of membership at Newlab, which helps startups scale and commercialize emerging technologies designed to solve pressing challenges. In this role, he’s focused on climate tech and designing sustainable materials for everything from buildings and roads to textiles.
“From my major in international business to the exposure to different topics at Rollins, I learned how to connect people and ideas,” says Magness. “My role at Newlab leverages my skills to assist people developing exciting technology in everything from networking with government and industry collaborators to fundraising, creating business models, and expanding internationally.”
“At Rollins, I developed broad knowledge and learned how to be open-minded—to observe and predict how processes and systems affect each other, even if they weren’t designed that way. I learned that nothing exists in a vacuum and that there’s a lot of interplay between people and players and industries.”
“I learned skills in presentation, storytelling, and public speaking. The ability to sell an idea or an object or oneself is priceless. The courses I took and challenges I overcame throughout the gened curriculum and my major helped me build these skills, which I rely on every day.”
“Learning how to adapt and shift perspectives was so important. Being agile in your understanding and application of your talents and skills will help you adapt to your current career path and job market, but it will also prepare you for the one you didn’t even know you wanted or one that hasn’t been invented yet.”
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1000 Holt Ave. — 2720
Winter Park, FL 32789
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