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.
2025 Strategic Plan
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.
Expanding our Impact
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 Minnesota, 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.
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.
Our Mission
Inspired by Catholic intellectual tradition, the University of St. Thomas educates students to be morally responsible leaders who think critically, act wisely and work skillfully to advance the common good.
Our Convictions
- Pursuit of Truth
- Academic Excellence
- Faith and Reason
- Dignity
- Diversity
- Personal Attention
- Gratitude
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
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.
Build Belonging and Promote Equity
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.
Ensure Access, Achievement, and Outcomes for All
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
Lean In to Our Catholic Mission
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.
Widen the Circle of Impact
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.
Strengthen Culture As We Embrace Change
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
Strategic Priorities
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.
Factors That Shaped the 2025 Strategic Plan
Community Input
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.
Success of the 2020 Strategic Plan
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.
Introducing the 2025 Strategic Plan
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.
2025 Strategic Plan News
September 16, 2021
St. Thomas Celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month
Hispanic Heritage Month kicked off Sept. 15, and St. Thomas organizations have scheduled many events to celebrate Latinx culture ranging from expert speakers on career opportunities to a community lunch with an alumna veteran. “It is important to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month to highlight the contributions of our Latinos and Latinas on campus and in… The post St. Thomas Celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month appeared first on Newsroom | University of St. Thomas.
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September 13, 2021
U.S. News Ranks St. Thomas Among Nation’s Best Value Schools
When it comes to academic quality, U.S. News & World Report ranks St. Thomas the top value in Minnesota, and one of the best values in the nation. Minnesota’s largest private university is the state’s highest ranked national institution on the Best Value Schools list in the latest U.S. News Best Colleges report. St. Thomas… The post U.S. News Ranks St. Thomas Among Nation’s Best Value Schools appeared first on Newsroom | University of St. Thomas.
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September 7, 2021
Men's Hockey to Host St. Cloud State at Xcel Energy Center
St. Thomas' Division I athletics debut will continue this fall on Minnesota's biggest hockey stage. The Tommies today announced the men's hockey team will host national power St. Cloud State on Oct. 3 at Xcel Energy Center in downtown St. Paul, home of the NHL's Minnesota Wild. Tickets will go on sale on Friday, Sept.… The post Men's Hockey to Host St. Cloud State at Xcel Energy Center appeared first on Newsroom | University of St. Thomas.
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August 31, 2021
Equity in Action: Building Ethical Community Partnerships
Confronted with the murder of George Floyd and the harsh, even fatal realities of white supremacy and systemic racism, many Americans echoed the same question: “How can I help?” The answer to that question is rooted in community partnership, according to experts from the Center for the Common Good, which leads St. Thomas’ efforts to address… The post Equity in Action: Building Ethical Community Partnerships appeared first on Newsroom | University of St. Thomas.
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August 25, 2021
In Historic Day, Women's Soccer Hosts First St. Thomas D-I Home Game
A new chapter in University of Thomas athletics has begun. The Tommie women's soccer team took the honor of ushering in Division I play with the Aug. 24 home-field contest against Northern Iowa. With a stadium record crowd of 405 watching, the visiting Panthers (1-1-1) and the host Tommies (0-0-1) played to a scoreless tie.… The post In Historic Day, Women's Soccer Hosts First St. Thomas D-I Home Game appeared first on Newsroom | University of St. Thomas.