Office of the President

Meet Rob Vischer

Rob Vischer, former dean of the School of Law, began his tenure as the 16th President of the University of St. Thomas on January 1, 2023. He is the second layperson to assume the role, after rising through the ranks in the university's law school beginning as an associate professor of law in 2005. Read more about President Vischer's background.

The President is responsible for the direction of the University of St. Thomas, a mission-driven institution striving to be a great place for students, staff and faculty to think, act and work to advance the common good. Rob Vischer will hone the university's vision for its future, advocate for that vision both internally and externally, build resources to turn that vision into reality, and achieve a level of excellence and impact that distinguishes the nation's top Catholic universities.

The Inauguration of Rob Vischer

About President Rob Vischer

Rob Vischer became the 16th President of the University of St. Thomas on January 1, 2023.

In nearly 10 years as dean of the St. Thomas School of Law, Vischer has helped leverage the law school's mission to achieve critical objectives in student success and community impact. Over the course of his deanship, the law school has dramatically improved employment outcomes for its graduates, built a global student body by establishing partnerships with law schools in more than a dozen countries, redoubled its commitment to whole-person professional formation, maintained its top-25 ranking for scholarly impact, and made racial justice core to its mission. The Harvard Law School graduate was an inaugural recipient of the Minnesota Lawyer Diversity and Inclusion Award for his contributions to the advancement of diversity and inclusion in the practice of law.

Before entering the legal academy, Vischer was associated with Kirkland & Ellis in Chicago, where he practiced corporate litigation. He clerked for three federal judges: Judge David Ebel of the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals, Judge Joan Gottschall of the Northern District of Illinois, and Judge John Wiese of the Court of Federal Claims. He received his B.A. degree, summa cum laude, from the University of New Orleans, and his J.D., cum laude, from Harvard Law School, where he was an editor of the Harvard Law Review.

Rob Vischer Curriculum Vitae

Introducing President Rob Vischer

The Claritas Initiative

In President Vischer's inaugural address, he spoke of the St. Thomas mission, and how it "compels us to cultivate three values: the true, the beautiful, and the good. Truth, beauty, and goodness – these were called transcendental values by our university’s namesake, Thomas Aquinas, because they transcend human limitations, they are values in every culture, and they are available as infinite resources in God’s creation."

As part of the President's vision for the future of St. Thomas, he introduced a university-wide initiative that invites all members of our community to experience the many ways in which truth, beauty, and goodness are lived out each day across our campus. Through a series of discussions, performances, and experiences, the Claritas Initiative will explore ways that all of us can nurture these values.

About the Claritas Initiative

2025 Strategic Plan

The 2025 Strategic Plan was developed to focus our efforts over the next 5 years, building on the success of the 2020 Strategic Plan, recognizing the headwinds and opportunities facing the university, and shaped by input from the entire St. Thomas community.

Our 10-year Aspiration

The University of St. Thomas will advance to the level of excellence, impact and reputation that distinguishes the top 10 national Catholic universities.

Guiding Themes

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.

• Ever Press Forward through Innovation
• Build Belonging and Promote Equity
• Ensure Access, Achievement, and Outcomes for All
• Lean In to Our Catholic Mission
• Widen the Circle of Impact
• Strengthen Culture as We Embrace Change

See how the Themes and Priorities of the 2025 Strategic Plan interweave

Additional information

• Watch a video overview of the 2025 plan
• Visit the St. Thomas 2025 Strategic Plan website
• Read the entire plan as a PDF
• Read the Strategic Plan Progress Reports to the Board

Messages from the President

August 27, 2024

In the News: President Rob Vischer Joins Panel Discussion on the Role of Higher Ed in Minnesota

University of St. Thomas President Rob Vischer recently joined Rebecca Bergman, president of Gustavus Adolphus College, and Suzanne Rivera, president of Macalester College, for a panel discussion on the role of higher education in Minnesota, hosted by MPR News. From the discussion: Host: “Are you saying that a student ... does not have an example… The post In the News: President Rob Vischer Joins Panel Discussion on the Role of Higher Ed in Minnesota appeared first on Newsroom | University of St. Thomas.

• May 7, 2024

  In the News: President Rob Vischer Responds to Star Tribune Editorial on Arena Complaints from Campus Neighbors

  University of St. Thomas President Rob Vischer recently published an op-ed in the Star Tribune detailing the steps that St. Thomas is taking to work with neighbors as the university plans for the Lee and Penny Anderson Arena. From the article: St. Thomas has been changing for 140 years. We will continue to evolve and… The post In the News: President Rob Vischer Responds to Star Tribune Editorial on Arena Complaints from Campus Neighbors appeared first on Newsroom | University of St. Thomas.

• March 26, 2024

  In the News: President Rob Vischer and Justice Alan Page Discuss Polarization at St. Thomas Finding Forward Event

  The Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder recently covered University of St. Thomas President Rob Vischer’s conversation with Former Minnesota Supreme Court Justice Alan Page about political polarization and its impacts on all facets of society during the university’s Finding Forward event on March 14. From the story: In the latest edition of their Finding Forward series, University of… The post In the News: President Rob Vischer and Justice Alan Page Discuss Polarization at St. Thomas Finding Forward Event appeared first on Newsroom | University of St. Thomas.

• March 25, 2024

  Alan Page Discusses How Civil Discourse Could Lead to Civil Re-engagement

  Former Minnesota Supreme Court Justice Alan Page Discussed Polarization and Civic Duty at University of St. Thomas Finding Forward Event At a time when winning at all costs is celebrated and scoring points on opponents seems to be the main goal of many public figures, Alan Page might seem like a throwback, with his focus… The post Alan Page Discusses How Civil Discourse Could Lead to Civil Re-engagement appeared first on Newsroom | University of St. Thomas.

• March 20, 2024

  In the News: President Rob Vischer on the Importance of Financial Aid Parity in Higher Ed

  University of St. Thomas President Rob Vischer recently spoke with the Star Tribune about state-funded financial aid for low-income families, and the importance of extending that support to not limit options for students. Vischer joined St. Thomas students during a recent visit with legislators at the Minnesota Capitol to advocate for the proposed Promise Equalization… The post In the News: President Rob Vischer on the Importance of Financial Aid Parity in Higher Ed appeared first on Newsroom | University of St. Thomas.

See more messages from the President

President's Office Staff

The Office of the President enjoys hearing from students, faculty, staff, alumni and the greater community.

Amy McDonough, Chief of Staff

amcdonough@stthomas.edu
(612) 962-6030

Erica Oswald, Executive Assistant

ejoswald@stthomas.edu
(651) 962-6500

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