from humble beginnings, and through a series of name changes that led to a 1958 vote of the people and a victory for the advancement of arizona state college to arizona state university (asu), asu’s century-plus trajectory has led to its being recognized as the most innovative university in the country by u.s. news & world report — six years in a row. the educational experience at asu is an immersion in a living-learning academic enterprise — a mindset focused on innovation and entrepreneurship, and a deep commitment to serving the public interest during a time of rapid and complex societal change. nationally and internationally acclaimed, asu consistently ranks among the very best in nearly every critical measurement of student success, outcomes of groundbreaking research and impact in the communities it serves. asu’s nationally ranked programs inspire the top-qualified graduates and have positioned the university as a top-tier recruiting and hiring institution by more than 50 of the country’s top corporations, according to professional recruiters and rankings services around the world. asu is ‘one university in many places’ — five distinctive campuses throughout metropolitan phoenix that create a federation of unique colleges and schools. they are all asu, providing access to all the university's strength and innovation, yet each offers attributes and focuses to meet the needs of any learner.