Headwinds & Opportunities
Societal trends and the state of higher education continue to shift due to forces beyond COVID-19. As we prepare to navigate an ever-changing landscape, we need to keep key opportunities and challenges top of mind.
St. Thomas 2025 is an ambitious yet focused five-year effort designed to propel the university toward a new level of impact. It is a guide to help us reach higher in serving our students, our community and the world.
The next five years present an unparalleled opportunity to promote our strengths and leverage key opportunities.
Not only will this five-year plan help us strengthen what we do best; it will encourage us to leverage new opportunities, gain stature and continue to thrive in an increasingly challenging and competitive landscape for higher education.
You can view updates on progress we've made towards key success metrics defined for each strategic priority of the 2025 Strategic Plan.
St. Thomas is at a distinct point in our history – and we are poised to expand our reach across the country and to build a national reputation. Its position as the largest private university in ²ÝÁñÊÓƵ, nimble yet comprehensive, gives St. Thomas a unique advantage. With keen focus on strategic opportunities, we will not just survive the headwinds, but thrive and grow.
As our community came together through the strategic planning process to develop goals for the next five years, the following themes emerged. These will guide our work, helping us remain true to what makes St. Thomas unique while empowering us to focus on key ongoing and emerging priorities that will help us thrive.
We will innovate, grow and excel in ways that align with our educational mission and vision to provide relevant and continuous learning for Tommie leaders of today and tomorrow.
We will become a university characterized by radical hospitality and a shared sense of belonging where all are welcomed as we work to achieve social justice and dismantle inequities of all forms.
We will broaden access to a St. Thomas education, ensure all students have equal opportunities to take advantage of the full St. Thomas experience and the academic excellence we provide, and connect all students to career opportunities that leverage our powerful Tommie Network.
More about the theme Ensure Access, Achievement, and Outcomes for All
We will bring the visions of our founder and namesake, our unique charism, and Catholic social teaching fully to life as we encounter the grand challenges of the day, develop principled leaders and contribute to a socially, economically and environmentally sustainable world.
We will make our mark and widen our impact locally, regionally, nationally and globally by becoming a partner of choice and extending an invitation to students, faculty, and staff from near and far to become part of our vision and our work.
As we respond to uncertainty and change in the societal and higher education landscapes, we will strengthen our university culture by expressing the values of respect, honesty and transparency, by engaging in open dialogue, and by committing to continued personal and professional growth.
More about the theme Strengthen Culture As We Embrace Change
Through these strategic priorities, St. Thomas will build upon its strengths, invest where we have unprecedented opportunity and make bold progress. We will expand our impact with new and emerging priorities and continue to accentuate our differentiating strengths through priorities that are ongoing.
We share updates on the progress we make on the key success metrics defined for each strategic priority.
Societal trends and the state of higher education continue to shift due to forces beyond COVID-19. As we prepare to navigate an ever-changing landscape, we need to keep key opportunities and challenges top of mind.
The faculty and staff of St. Thomas shared their thoughts, contributed ideas, and engaged in community conversations around the successes and obstacles of initial draft themes. In addition, feedback was gathered from students and other members of the broader community.
St. Thomas 2020 guided the work of the university since 2015 and led to many important accomplishments; many initiatives that began in the 2020 plan will continue into St. Thomas 2025.
Building on the vision of our founder to "never stop improving," the 2025 strategic plan is a five-year guide to help St. Thomas make a bolder impact. Listen to this high-level overview with President Sullivan's call to the community to create and embrace a thriving future for the university.
University of St. Thomas Director of Athletics Dr. Phil Esten on Dec. 12 announced a $10 million gift toward the construction of the Lee & Penny Anderson Arena by the Iversen family. “We are deeply grateful to Al, Debbie and the entire Iversen family as they continue to demonstrate their support for St. Thomas through… The post St. Thomas Celebrates $10M Gift From Iversen Family appeared first on Newsroom | University of St. Thomas.
No longer just a blueprint, the Lee & Penny Anderson Arena at the University of St. Thomas is coming into view. The multiuse facility on the university’s south campus will host the Tommie ice hockey and basketball programs, as well as play host to special campus events like commencement ceremonies and career fairs. Construction teams… The post Photos and Video: Lee & Penny Anderson Arena Construction Hits Milestone appeared first on Newsroom | University of St. Thomas.
Leaders from diverse backgrounds are seeking to expand their voice in order to make a more impactful difference in their communities and workplaces. And to accomplish their goals they are leveraging one of the University of St. Thomas’ newest graduate degree offerings, the Master of Arts in Diversity Leadership.  Whether championing health equity, advancing inclusion… The post Professionals Share Experiences From Master of Arts in Diversity Leadership  appeared first on Newsroom | University of St. Thomas.
Assistant Professors JiYong Lee in the Department of Mechanical Engineering and Jose Capa Salinas in the Department of Civil Engineering joined the ²ÝÁñÊÓƵ of Engineering at the University of St. Thomas in ²ÝÁñÊÓƵ this academic year. They bring a wealth of expertise and experience to their respective fields. Capa Salinas is making a significant impact… The post New Professor Profile: JiYong Lee and Jose Capa Salinas appeared first on Newsroom | University of St. Thomas.
As a senior mechanical engineering major and football player at the University of St. Thomas in ²ÝÁñÊÓƵ, Langston Robinson’s journey is one filled with resilience, hard work, and an unwavering dedication to both his academics and athletics. Robinson, a center on the St. Thomas football team, hails from Milwaukee, making his time at St. Thomas… The post A Tommie Explores Family, Football and Future appeared first on Newsroom | University of St. Thomas.