Running head: INSTITUTIONAL COMPARISON 1

Institutional Comparison of Sonoma State University and Texas A&M University

Ashley Alba

Fresno State

EAD 261
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Abstract

The purpose of this assignment is to analyze and compare two institutions of higher

education, based on their history, classifications and location in higher education. Other

measurements taken to explore the institutions is to compare their enrollment statistics based on

their mission or vision. This paper will also explore the type of institution it is and the logistics

that make up the two institutions. I will determine how they compare and contrast in various

ways.
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Part I: Institutional Type

Sonoma State University is a public college university that is located in California, one

hour north of San Francisco. According to the college website they believe themselves to be a

small campus with big ideas. Sonoma State University offers its students a friendly, safe and

informal atmosphere on a beautiful campus setting (Sonoma State University, 2019). Their

setting creates a peaceful mindset onto the students with the scenery the college campus

provides. In the appendix section under Figure 1 is the student affairs organizational chart that is

descriptive on all the positions under student affairs and who is in those positions.

On the website’s about us section it states that they generally accept all qualified students

who apply from high school in there service area, 80 percent of the freshman and 55 percent of

the junior transfer students come from outside the North Bay region. It also states that 34 percent

of the student body live on campus (Sonoma State University, 2019). It is known to be one of the

most residential campuses within the CSU system.

Agricultural and Mechanical Texas University is a land-grant institution university that is

located in Texas, known to be at the center of the Houston, Dallas, and Austin triangle (Texas

A&M University, 2019). The terms agricultural and mechanical have not been used for many

years and the words A&M, simply don’t stand for anything as of now. According to their website

it has branched out campuses in Texas to cater to 5,200 students on top of their 64,000 in their

main location which is Texas A&M University also known as College Station. Their goal is to

create Aggie leaders and face the challenges of the world upon leaving college (Texas A&M
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University, 2019). The university provides a list of wide ranging options with choosing an

academic program.

They have 133 undergraduate programs, 175 master’s degrees, 92 doctoral degrees and

five first professional degrees as options of study (Texas A&M University, 2019). I have also

listed the student affairs organizational chart below under figure 2. Texas A&M is a university

that offers consistency to students with a large range of programs.

The reason I chose Sonoma State University and Texas A&M University because they

are from two different regions and two different institutional types. They both stand for different

messages yet serve for the same purpose of establishing educated students. With both institutions

I plan to analyze a university from my home state and compare it to a university that is outside of

the state. I will further my assignment by comparing and contrasting two different institutions of

higher education based on their missions, enrollment statistics, and the universities in depth

background.

Part II: Classifications, Control, Enrollment, Mission/Vision

Sonoma State University is a four year level institution based on basic master’s colleges and

universities that involves larger programs. The university is ran under a public control. As of fall

2018 there is a headcount of 3508 student male population and 5693 female population (Sonoma

State University, 2019). For statistics on ethnicity groups it is located in Appendix figure three.

First-generation male headcount is 651 and for females it is higher at 1089 (Sonoma State

University, 2019). The mission statement: Sonoma State is a regionally serving public university

committed to educational access and excellence. Guided by our core values and driven by a

commitment to the liberal arts and sciences, Sonoma State delivers high-quality education

through innovative programs that leverage the economic, cultural, and natural resources of the
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North Bay (Sonoma State University, 2019). The vision Statement: Each student affairs

department have their own vision statement. Basic facts of Sonoma State University’s location is

23 percent of adults have a HS diploma or equivalent (Rohnert Park CA Education data, 2019).

Adults with a college degree in the city and state is 26 percent (Rohnert Park CA Education data,

2019). The median household income of a Rohnert Park, CA resident is $57,557. The

demographic statistics of the city and state are White: 72.38%, Other race: 13.10%, Two or more

races: 6.29%, Asian: 5.70%, Black or African American: 1.86%, Native American: 0.55% and

Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander: 0.12% (Rohnert Park CA Education data, 2019).

Texas A&M University is a four year level institution that is based on a doctoral university,

involving a very high amount of research activities. The university is ran under public control.

According to their website (2019) enrollment statistics state their student demographics report

provides student enrollment for the most recent five fall terms. As of fall 2018 there was a 53

percent male student count and 47 percent female student count. A total student population of 69,

367 under fall 2018. Figure three in Appendix will demonstrate the ethnicity statistics (Texas

A&M University, 2019).

The university’s mission statement: Texas A&M University is dedicated to the discovery,

development, communication, and application of knowledge in a wide range of academic and

professional fields. Its mission of providing the highest quality undergraduate and graduate

programs is inseparable from its mission of developing new understandings through research and

creativity. It prepares students to assume roles in leadership, responsibility and service to society.

Texas A&M assumes as its historic trust the maintenance of freedom of inquiry and an

intellectual environment nurturing the human mind and spirit. It welcomes and seeks to serve

persons of all racial, ethnic and geographic groups as it addresses the needs of an increasingly
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diverse population and a global economy. In the 21st century, Texas A&M University seeks to

assume a place of preeminence among public universities while respecting its history and

traditions (Texas A&M University, 2019).

The university’s vision Statement: Vision 2020: Creating a Culture of Excellence articulates

Texas A&M University's bold recognition of necessary institutional evolution required to

achieve its mission as a land, sea, and space grant institution of global preeminence. Adopted in

1999, with an explicit vision for acceptance as a consensus leader among peer public institutions,

more than 250 stakeholders worked to identify benchmarks, which if achieved, would enhance

the value of Texas A&M to The Texas A&M University System, the State of Texas, and the

nation (Texas A&M University, 2019).

Basic facts of Texas A&M University location 26 percent of adults have a HS diploma or

equivalent in the city and state (San Antonio TX Education data, 2019). Adults with a college

degree in the city and state is 30 percent (San Antonio TX Education data, 2019). The median

household income of a San Antonio, TX resident is $46,317. The demographic statistics of the

city and state are White: 80.08%, Black or African American: 6.99%, Other race: 6.67%, Asian:

2.75%, Two or more races: 2.74%, Native American: 0.67% and Native Hawaiian or Pacific

Islander: 0.10% (San Antonio TX Education data, 2019).

Part III: Analysis

I find that Sonoma State University is much more appealing to students of all race

populations. Sonoma State University seems to reach a hand out to minority students than Texas

A&M University. It also captures students that may not know what they plan to study. It seems

to add focus for students that are lost, in that aspect. Texas A&M appears to target students who

know what they will study and are ready to take challenges. Texas A&M’s website in the about
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us description appears to me, that it can be intimidating for some students. It may cause students

whom are ready for preparation in their field of study to doubt themselves. This is the message I

found from comparing both institutions. In the about us section under Sonoma State University it

tells students, they are a small campus with big ideas. As a student myself, that description

embeds inspiration and goals to dream big although you may have nothing to bring with you.

Texas A&M seems to want students that are interested of their institution to be prepared and

know what they plan to study. In other words what can students bring to Texas A&M and not the

other way, meaning what the university can offer to students. I was not surprised to my findings.

Sonoma State University does seem to be more appealing to a variety of student groups.

Focusing on what the student wishes to accomplish while attending the institution.

Sonoma State University uses terms that are much friendlier than Texas A&M, they both

express their section in about us, very opposite from one another. Sonoma is very welcoming and

uses terms that create inspiring messages for students. It also mentions activities the university is

known for, such as their location that is one hour away from California’s premier wine country.

Texas A&M is very straight forward and speaks highly of their history. Texas A&M uses

prestigious terms and also list other off campus locations and statistics. Again the two are very

polar opposite from one another. Not only is their language different but also the layout of their

webpage. Sonoma’s webpage is focused on detailing and appealing to students. Their webpage is

entirely full of pictures of students and students in programs they have to offer. Also their

homepage is an actual moving image of students walking across a building.

As for Texas A&M homepage they show photos of images that consist of news around

their area or in regards to their university. They also have a big image of a building and small

images of students walking in front of campus. I believe they take much pride of their history
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and buildings. It is a well-known university that focuses on what made the institution, rather than

the students. In regards to their other webpages there are small photos of students and other

graphics of non-students.

Although both are very different from one another, both institutions work for higher

education. Sonoma is located in California where many students of all races reside. Texas A&M

is in Texas that seems to also be populated off all races as well. They both navigate differently,

yet serve the same purpose. With the high quantity of higher education institutions offered, they

all serve in various ways but for the students. It is up to the student themselves to decide which

institution will serve them the best. Students will create their own opinions based on the

institution’s home webpage and in the about us section.

Appendix:
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Figure 1

Figure 2
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Figure 3
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Ethnicity Percentage (rounded)

Caucasian 49%

Latino/Hispanic 28%

Multi-Racial 7%

Asian 5%

African American 2%

Declined to State 7%

American Indian  1%

Hawaiian/Pacific Islander 0.2%

Figure 4
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References

Rohnert Park CA Education data. (n.d.). Retrieved October 2, 2019, from

http://www.towncharts.com/California/Education/Rohnert-Park-city-CA-Education-

data.html.

San Antonio TX Education data. (n.d.). Retrieved October 2, 2019, from

https://www.towncharts.com/Texas/Education/San-Antonio-city-TX-Education-

data.html.

Sonoma State University. (2019, August 23). Retrieved from https://www.sonoma.edu/

Texas A&M University. (n.d.). Texas A&M University. Retrieved from https://www.tamu.edu