Mindset List for the Marist Class of 2024

A Compilation of the What Defines the Incoming Class

Marist College released the Marist Mindset List for the class of 2024 this fall, which details the most important issues, events and perspectives that incoming college students are passionate and impacted by. This year’s list is especially riveting as a result of the unique circumstances that have shaped the freshman class.

The team behind the Marist Mindset List for the Class of 2024, Pablo Rivas, Joyce Yu-Jean Lee, and Tommy Zurhellen. Source: Marist Media Relations

“[The Mindset List] is a culture compass showing the triumph and the challenges for incoming first-year students every year. Marist Associate Professor of English, Tommy Zurhellen said. “Obviously, it was a little hard to get a lot of student input this year due to COVD-19, but the list is based on the issues incoming students truly care about.”

First created in 1998 by two Beloit College faculty members, Tom McBride and Ron Neif, the Mindset List was originally a compilation of what has “always” or “never” been prevalent in the lives of incoming college students. It was a way for faculty to have a better grasp on their students’ world views. More than 20 years later, the Mindset List continues to be published annually and read by thousands across the country. In 2019 it was placed in the hands of Marist faculty.   

The annual project is being led by Zurhellen, a Beloit alumnus, Joyce Yu-Jean Lee, an assistant professor of art and digital media, and Pablo Rivas, an assistant professor of computer science, along with contributions from faculty of various disciplines. The Marist Mindset List discusses 10 varying categories backed by intense analysis of critical events and trends that have emerged in recent years. These 10 categories include: arts, commerce, education, ethics, fashion, history and politics, language and literacy, science, sports communication and tech. 

The Mindset List entails key details about the class of 2024, and how their lifestyle and viewpoints have been shaped in midst of a pandemic. According to the list, incoming students “have never been more ready to embrace social distance by using technology to fill the distance gap.” The Mindset List also includes incoming students' perspectives on social issues such as the Black Lives Matter Movement. “Emerging artists and designers in the Class of 2024 will explore race relations beyond Black Lives Matter into a deeper understanding of how Whiteness has shaped bias and influence in contemporary American culture.” 

“The Marist Mindset team has met throughout the year talking about what our students might be interested in, and our goal is to then present some of those ideas to students,” Zurhellen said. “This list is really for the students, their peers and their professors to start a conversation about meaningful issues.” 

The Mindset List has already helped faculty find a focus regarding topics they wish to discuss in class, which in turn will contribute to establishing deeper connections between professors and their students. 

Even with the positive influence the Mindset List has already achieved, the team wants to continue to expand their impact and are looking for more support from faculty members. They are currently thinking about introducing specialized lists centered around specific subjects, such as fashion or sports communication. These specialized lists would give students and faculty the opportunity to dive even deeper into issues piquing their interest.  

The team is also looking to hold events in the coming years to encourage students to become more engaged with the annual Mindset List. “Obviously we can’t have readings, discussions or panels during COVID-19, but our goal starting next year is to have events focusing on items on the list, so students can come together and talk about these issues.” Zurhellen said.  

For the past 22 years, the Mindset List has been a staple for understanding first-year students’ views and knowledge about the world. Now under Marist’s responsibility, students and faculty will continue to find efficient and resourceful ways to discuss issues young students feel an obligation to address.  

See the The Marist Mindset List in its entirety here.