²ÝÁñÉçÇø

As a Catholic university, our foundation is rooted in a Mission-driven commitment to human dignity, the common good, and the transformative power of whole-person education. We cultivate an inclusive community that welcomes all faith journeys while remaining grounded in the richness of Catholic tradition. Our work emphasizes purpose, vocation, and the integration of faith and reason as we seek to form graduates who are ready to lead with empathy and integrity. In partnership with others in our community, we elevate the common good through initiatives that serve our local, national and global communities, strengthen our commitment to sustainability, and embrace our role as a university that prepares students to contribute to a more just and compassionate world.

We are committed to ensuring that every member of the St. Thomas community feels a deep and authentic sense of belonging. This includes intentional efforts to support and uplift students and colleagues from diverse backgrounds who help provide a university experience rich in perspectives. At the heart of our culture is the concept of encounter—where authentic relationships are prioritized, and care for the whole person is central. As a convener of constructive dialogue across difference, we promote understanding, foster inclusion, and elevate St. Thomas as a place where diverse perspectives are valued. This relationship-centered approach extends beyond the classroom, and shapes how we mentor, support, and accompany students on their journeys and empowers both personal and academic growth.

We will prioritize operational excellence to help ensure that St. Thomas is financially sound and successfully navigates the higher education headwinds. This includes constant review of systems, organizational structures and resource allocation to ensure that we maximize our efficiency and steward our resources effectively. These efforts will be grounded in a culture of collaboration, where employees across the university work together to identify opportunities, streamline processes, and drive shared solutions that strengthen our institution. The university prioritizes investing in faculty and staff within the university budget, working to ensure that salaries keep pace with our national benchmark peers. Our financial resiliency will be further facilitated by donor support, as we prioritize investments in people and their potential through a comprehensive fundraising campaign that will launch in 2026. Strong philanthropic investment in scholarships, faculty, capital projects, and mission-critical programs will ensure that St. Thomas continues to lead, innovate and make lasting community impact for generations.