The mission of the Institute is to nurture women’s potential; encourage women to grow intellectually, socially, spiritually and culturally and to celebrate personal integrity, excellence and service. Graduating members go on to graduate school or employment in their field of study.

Members are required to attend meetings, give service in the community, participate in Institute events and complete coursework focused on leadership.There are four Levels of Leadership development that members can pursue.

Saint Teresa Institute (STLI) freshman and sophomore members live in a selected residence hall. There is a maximum of three rooms housing Saint Teresa Institute members in close proximity to each other in the same wing of the residence hall. Junior and senior STLI members will join you for STLI activities taking place in the hall. You have the choice of requesting a Saint Teresa Institute member as your roommate. We want you to be part of the entire campus experience as well as part of Saint Teresa Institute and feel that this arrangement will serve you well in meeting that goal.

You decide. You complete a Leadership & Service self-assessment and develop a Plan of Leadership & Service Development that you will follow during membership with STLI at Saint Mary's University. There are twice monthly meetings, a Fall Semester planning retreat and a Winter Semester Planning Weekend that you must commit to attend. You decide how much more time you will be involved in Institute activities.

Any female undergraduate attending Saint Mary's University who is interested in fully developing her leadership potential, volunteering in her community and being part of a supportive all women's community. Women completing the Institute's program are from diverse backgrounds, ethnic and cultural communities and religious faiths. They represent the multitude of majors that can be completed at Saint Mary's University and span the gamut of leadership accomplishment and development.

Not usually. The Institute program is supported by Saint Mary’s University, its benefactors, and the Alumnae of the College of Saint Teresa. There may be the occasional activity that is of minimal expense.

Yes, there are two different kinds. One is a scholarship that is built into the financial aid package offered by Saint Mary's University. The other is an application that you make to the Alumnae Association of the College of Saint Teresa. This one requires a 3.0 GPA and can be applied for annually.

Yes, there are three 2 credit classes that Saint Teresa Institute members complete during their four years at Saint Mary's University. No, you will not pay additional tuition to complete the courses. The courses are electives, so can be part of the 122 minimum credits needed for graduation. They can be taken any semester during the time you are completing your bachelor degree. The three courses are:

• STI115 The Symbosis of Teresan, Franciscan & Lasallan Traditions
  This course provides the broader context for the Saint Teresa Leadership and Service Institute students, and serves as the foundation for our study of leadership and service. As a complement to the Lasallian core traditions courses, this course brings together the study of Lasallian traditions with those of Saint Teresa of Avila and Saint Francis of Assisi. In order to repect and honor the legacy of the College of Saint Teresa, our namesake, this course provides a focused study of the Teresan values of loyalty, purity and truth and the Franciscan values of charism for the poor, simplicity, and stewardship of the earth, among others.
• STI215 Leadership Theory & Practice
  This course surveys the multiude of competing leadership theories and styles from a more academic perspective and method than that often applied in the pop-culture leadership material. This course introduces students in the Saint Teresa Leadership and Service Institute to a deeper and more comprehensive understanding of what it means to be a leader. Offered in the fall semester.
• STI315 Women in Leadership & Service
  The purpose of this course is to provide a focused study of the role of women in our society today based on demographic, social, economic and other data. A broad overview of the history and state of women in our society is presented. Student work focuses on research, writing and presenting on the role of women today and the future role of women in their particular field of study and areas of interest. Offered in the spring semester.