Our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion is rooted in our Catholic identity at St. Thomas. Archbishop John Ireland founded the University of St. Thomas for immigrants who weren't welcomed elsewhere. Our convictions call us to protect and enhance the dignity of every human and to work for a more just and equitable society. We strive to be a university characterized by radical hospitality and are steadfast in our commitment to embedding a shared sense of belonging where all feel welcomed.
The university's internal work on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is coordinated through the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (ODEI). ODEI ensures that our work within the university to make St. Thomas more inclusive happens at all levels and includes everyone. By using data and stories to measure progress and experiences, and by transparently communicating across the university, ODEI helps campus culture continuously become more diverse and welcoming. In addition, Student Diversity and Inclusion Services (SDIS) directly supports students by offering programming that promotes diversity and social justice awareness and working to create an inclusive and welcoming environment for all students.
At the same time, St. Thomas is working outside of our walls to achieve social justice and dismantle inequities in the broader community through the Racial Justice Initiative. Through a distinctive focus on historical recovery, the Initiative creates opportunities in partnership with local leaders and groups for critical conversations and actions around racial justice.
Diversity, equity and inclusion are indispensable to academic excellence and the holistic development of our students. Our university community includes and welcomes people of diverse races, ethnicities, geographic origins, gender identities, ages, socioeconomic backgrounds, sexual orientations, religions, work experiences, physical and intellectual abilities, financial means, and all other characteristics as protected by applicable laws.
Opened in 2017, Dougherty Family College offers an associate degree designed to propel students towards success and provide a smooth transition to a four-year college. This two-year college program is for inspired students who want to obtain a four-year college degree and face financial or social obstacles on the way to their goal.
SDIS promotes diversity and social justice awareness for all students through personal interactions, leadership and training opportunities, and various sponsored and co-sponsored educational programs. We aim to ensure the retention and graduation rates of students of color are equitable, and to maintain an inclusive and welcoming environment for all.
In May 2021, the Committee finalized its Report on Principles for Renaming, which provides a coherent set of principles to use when considering the renaming of a building, program, or other asset at the University.
On a rainy, overcast day in November, the Keystone Foodmobile turns in from Cleveland Avenue to park in front of the Iversen Center for Faith at the University of St. Thomas. It is the first Tuesday of the month and the bus is loaded with food that is ready to be distributed to campus and… The post Tommie Shelf Program Celebrates 5 Years    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.
The University of St. Thomas School of Law honored Christy Botts ’98, ’11 J.D. and Carmeann Foster ’08, ’12 J.D./MSW with its Alumna Achievement Award at the 2024 Alumnae Brunch on Nov. 2. Botts and Foster are co-founders of Rebound, Inc., a Twin Cities nonprofit that seeks to partner with the community to address the… The post 2024 Law Alumna Award Recipients: Christy Botts and Carmeann Foster appeared first on Newsroom | University of St. Thomas.
Pastor Tony Lowden, who also served in the Trump administration, talked about faith, helping others, and rising above partisanship at a University of St. Thomas Finding Forward event. To help people of all political persuasions find common ground, Pastor Tony Lowden, who has served both Democrats and Republicans, including with the Trump administration, offered a… The post Finding Forward: Amid Political Division, President Carter’s Pastor Offers Hope appeared first on Newsroom | University of St. Thomas.
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz recently appointed Dr. Tanya Gladney, an associate professor and law enforcement program coordinator in the Sociology and Criminal Justice Department at University of St. Thomas, to a second term on the Board of Peace Officer Standards and Training. The four-year term, effective as of July, will expire in January 2028. The… The post Walz Reappoints Tanya Gladney to Minnesota Peace Officer Board appeared first on Newsroom | University of St. Thomas.