We’re ALL FOR the 'why' behind every action we take
We will demonstrate an unwavering commitment to student success, ensuring that our decisions and actions are aligned with improving student outcomes, retention and lifelong flourishing.
To lay the foundation for a lifetime of flourishing, we will deepen our commitment to guiding students to seek their purpose and vocation—core dimensions of a meaningful life. Through both academic and co-curricular experiences, all Tommies will engage in opportunities to develop the skills of reflection, listening, discernment, and storytelling—essential tools for understanding themselves and their calling in the world. The Purpose Project will serve as a catalyst for this work, coordinating and expanding university-wide efforts to weave purpose and vocation exploration into the student journey. Anchored in our Catholic mission, we will accompany students as they explore where their gifts and values meet the world's needs—cultivating a sense of purpose rooted in dignity, solidarity, and faith. Tommies will encounter intentionally designed experiences that not only guide them toward meaningful lives and careers, but also shape their character, sense of responsibility, and capacity to contribute to the common good.
We will invest in undergraduate and graduate students through scholarships, which is our top fundraising campaign priority, ensuring that talented, driven students can access and thrive at St. Thomas.
We will engage as an entire community in focusing on retention, a commitment that may require changes in operations and culture. By implementing the recommendations of the Student Success Academy, the entire university community will understand and participate in retention efforts. We will break down silos, integrate university technology systems, enhance and reform advising, and ensure student-centered practices. Recognizing that belonging and whole-person health are essential to academic and personal success and retention, we will further integrate support for well-being into the student experience.
To further enrich the Tommie experience, we will strengthen resources to expand access to distinctive student experiences outside of the classroom such as internships, hands-on research, community-based learning and meaningful alumni engagement.
We will broaden pathways to St. Thomas by offering accelerated degrees, interdisciplinary opportunities, and degrees and programs that meet critical workforce needs. Through national and global partnerships, and by ensuring our curriculum is student-centered and outcomes-driven, we will prepare students for success in an evolving world. We will answer the call to develop programs in health care that serve critical community needs and advance human flourishing.
