Troy University—Troy (TROY)

Troy University, based in Alabama, has been developing leaders since its founding in 1887. A public university that serves nearly 15,000 traditional students and adult learners worldwide through its four Alabama campuses, a network of support centers and a robust online offering, TROY helps students build their knowledge and skills, learn to lead and make their dreams become a reality.

TROY is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges and offers degree programs at the Associate's, Bachelor's, Master's and Doctoral level.

Founded as a college to train teachers, Troy University has today grown into a thriving international university that typically enrolls nearly 1,000 international students each year, representing more than 65 countries. Also highlighting the University's global focus, an active study abroad program prepare students to be globally aware, as well as globally competitive.

Troy University offers degree programs in high-demand fields across its five colleges—the College of Arts and Sciences; the Sorrell College of Business; the College of Communication and Fine Arts; the College of Education; and, the College of Health and Human Services.

Troy University has about 175,000 alumni worldwide and the University's Alumni Association has 67 local alumni chapters throughout the United States and international chapters in China, Russia and Vietnam.

The University's Troy Campus is home to a diverse student population, including students from across the United States and nearly 1,000 international students representing more than 65 countries.

Students on the Troy Campus have a variety of opportunities to enrich their college experience. Troy students have nearly 200 student organizations from which to choose, including fraternities and sororities, academic/professional clubs, honor societies, leadership and service groups, political and special interest organizations, religious groups, performing groups and campus publications.

Leadership opportunities are available through participation in the Student Government Association, the Freshman Forum, Trojan Ambassadors, and IMPACT orientation leaders, among others.

In addition, the Office of Service Learning and Civic Engagement, a part of the John W. Schmidt Center for Student Success, connects Troy University students to applied learning opportunities where students can develop skills in leadership, project management and civic action, while making a difference in the local community. Current student Service Learning and Civic Engagement initiatives include: poverty and hunger, sustainability, healthy futures and community action and outreach.

The Troy Campus is also home to Division I Athletics, competing in the Sun Belt Conference. Trojan football plays in Veterans Memorial Stadium, an on-campus facility that seats approximately 30,000 fans. Trojan basketball and volleyball call Trojan Arena home, while the newly renovated Riddle-Pace Field is home to Troy baseball. The campus is also home to the Troy Soccer and Track Complex, the Troy Softball Complex, the Lunsford Tennis Complex and a golf facility and practice area.

Troy is a largely local university, and, for the majority of undergraduates, campus is just “about 50 miles or so away from home.” Therefore, most students—many from small towns in Alabama—“come to Troy and fit right in with the community and students.” “The most typical student would be a southern, Christian, republican;” however, there is diversity among the student body—including a large international population. A current student tells us, “Growing up in the South, it is [among] the most diverse places I have ever been.” Students appreciate the fact that Troy attracts “so many different types of people from all over the world,” though they admit that the international students often “do not mix” with their American classmates. On the whole, Troy students are “pretty relaxed, friendly, and interactive with each other,” and socially “there are tons of students that love to party.”

The Troy campus is located in a small Southern community, and “The area definitely has the small-town vibe and slow pace of life.” There are a few bars in town, but “most of the social gatherings are at house parties and Greek functions.” Instead of partying, other students get together to “play board games, have picnics, or get a big group to play an outdoor sport.” For more options, you can “drive an hour to Dothan or Montgomery to go out to eat and go shopping.” In addition to the obvious (“sleeping, eating, going to class, and studying”), Troy students participate in theater, sports, marching band, and Christian groups. Despite club activities, campus life can be quiet. “When school is in session Troy is great, but during some weekends and breaks it is a ghost town,” because many student go home to see their families. Under any circumstance, getting involved in campus life is important; “Troy can be either exciting or boring depending on what you make out of it.” A current student affirms, “I am involved in a fraternity and the student government and without these groups, I would be bored and lost.”