Higher Education Terminology

noun an educational institution or establishment

adjective relating to or characteristic of a college

• The college offers a wide range of academic programs for students to choose from.
• I can't wait to start college and meet new people!
• I'm so ready to ditch high school and head off to college.
• Life is like a college where we learn important lessons every day.

verb to provide with a quality, ability, or asset

• The wealthy philanthropist decided to endow a new scholarship fund for underprivileged students.
• My parents always endow me with the best advice when I need it.
• I wish I could just endow myself with some extra cash for the weekend.
• Her words seemed to endow him with a sense of confidence he had never felt before.

noun an inherent mental or physical power

• The faculty at the university is comprised of esteemed professors and researchers.
• The faculty here is pretty chill and always willing to help students.
• The faculty at this school is lit, they really know their stuff.
• The faculty of the mind is what allows us to think and reason.

noun a school that awards advanced academic degrees, such as master's or doctoral degrees

• After completing my undergraduate studies, I decided to pursue further education by attending graduate school.
• I'm thinking about applying to grad school to continue my education.
• I'm planning to level up and go to grad school next year.
• Graduate school is like climbing a mountain, each step taking you closer to your academic peak.

noun A person who gives lectures or talks on a particular subject

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• The lecturer presented a comprehensive analysis of the economic theory.
• The lecturer went over the main points of the chapter in class.
• The lecturer totally rocked the lecture today!
• The lecturer's words were like music to my ears, so captivating and enlightening.

noun the formal process of entering a college or university as a student

• The matriculation process involves submitting all required documents and completing the necessary paperwork.
• I heard that matriculation can be a bit tedious, but it's all part of the college experience.
• I'm so over the whole matriculation thing, can't wait to just start classes already.
• In a way, matriculation is like crossing a bridge from high school to higher education.

noun A period of six months, especially in a college or university during which a full program of studies is carried out.

• The academic semester consists of 15 weeks of instruction.
• I can't wait for next semester to start so I can see my friends again.
• Dude, this semester is gonna be a breeze with all these easy classes.
• She felt like she was entering a new semester of life after quitting her job and starting a new career path.

noun a person or thing that is third in order or level

adjective relating to or denoting a higher education institution that offers courses beyond the secondary level

• The tertiary education sector plays a crucial role in shaping the future workforce.
• I'm thinking about pursuing a tertiary degree after finishing high school.
• I heard that party is going to be lit, it's at the tertiary campus.
• In the hierarchy of needs, self-actualization is considered a tertiary concern.

noun a high-level educational institution where students study for degrees and academic research is done

• The university is known for its prestigious research programs.
• I can't wait to start college at the university next fall.
• I'm hitting up the uni for some classes this semester.
• The university of life teaches us valuable lessons every day.

verb to enroll in a college or university as a student

• She plans to matriculate at the prestigious university next fall.
• I heard Sarah is going to matriculate at that fancy school.
• Dude, I'm so excited to matriculate at my dream college!
• When you matriculate into adulthood, you take on more responsibilities.

noun a graduate or former student of a specific school, college, or university

• The university invited its esteemed alumnus to speak at the graduation ceremony.
• I ran into an old alumnus from my high school at the grocery store.
• Yo, that alumn just landed a sweet job at that tech company.
• As an alumn of the program, she felt a strong connection to the current students.

noun grant

• The land-grant university was established to provide education in agriculture, engineering, and military tactics.
• I'm thinking of applying to a land-grant university for their strong programs in science and technology.
• Dude, I heard that land-grant university is where all the cool kids are studying.
• Being a part of a land-grant university feels like being part of a community dedicated to progress and innovation.

noun A person who is temporarily employed at a university or college as a teacher or researcher

• The university has invited a visiting professor from Harvard to give a lecture on quantum physics.
• I heard that we have a visiting professor coming in next week to teach the history of art.
• Check it out, the visiting professor is apparently a total genius!
• Having a visiting professor in the office feels like a breath of fresh air, bringing new perspectives and ideas.

noun The American Association of University Professors (AAUP), an organization representing the interests of faculty members in higher education.

• The AAUP is an organization that advocates for academic freedom and shared governance in higher education.
• I heard that the AAUP is hosting a panel discussion on campus next week.
• I don't really care about what the AAUP says, I just want to graduate.
• The AAUP is like a watchdog, making sure that universities uphold certain standards.

noun a place of learning, such as a college or university

• The academe plays a crucial role in shaping the minds of future leaders.
• Many students struggle to navigate the expectations of academe.
• I'm so over all the drama in the academe.
• In the academe of life, we are all students learning valuable lessons.

noun a style of writing or speaking that is characteristic of academics and characterized by complex vocabulary and jargon

• The academic paper was filled with dense academese that made it difficult to understand.
• I couldn't follow the professor's lecture because he was speaking in academese.
• I hate it when textbooks are written in academese, it's so hard to decipher.
• Her writing style is like academese, full of jargon and complex language.

noun a person who teaches at a college or university on a part-time or temporary basis, typically without tenure or a permanent position

• The university hired an adjunct professor to teach the advanced mathematics course.
• My neighbor is an adjunct professor at the local community college.
• I heard that adjunct professor is really chill and easygoing.
• In the world of academia, being an adjunct professor can sometimes feel like being a temporary placeholder.

noun A degree obtained after completing a higher level of education, such as a master's or doctoral degree

• She decided to pursue an advanced degree in computer science to enhance her career prospects.
• He's going back to school to get his advanced degree so he can get a better job.
• I heard she's going for her fancy degree in business management.
• Obtaining an advanced degree is like unlocking a new level of knowledge and expertise.