Ever since Saint John Baptist de La Salle inaugurated a new approach to education more than 300 years ago, the formation of the whole student has been at the heart of Lasallian Catholic education. This approach to education has never been more crucial than it is today. Our commitment to empowering students to ethical lives of leadership is at the core of everything we do, while focusing on nurturing character growth and encouraging students to be catalysts of meaningful change in our communities and the world — striving for a brighter future for all.

• Bolstered Lasallian Catholic formation (networking, recruitment, and professional development)
• Established Lasallian Catholic Mission Advisory Council
• Hired Vice President of Inclusion and Human Dignity (duties now assumed by VP Mission and Ministry)
• Appointed new Vice President for Mission and Ministry
• Hired Vice President for Character, Virtue, and Ethics
• Established Faculty Learning communities around Character and Virtue initiative
• Established Faculty learning communities around Character and Virtue initiative
• Continued to live our Lasallian Catholic heritage in all aspects of operational priorities throughout the university
• Piloted a certificate series in faith-based education (Jubilee Centre/Kern Foundation)
• Defined new objectives and renewed focus on programming for Hendrickson Institute

In our ongoing commitment to meeting the evolving needs of today’s students and supporting their success, Saint Mary’s will continue to develop innovative student experiences and integrated programs that enhance flexibility and accessibility. We will prioritize creating industry partnerships and continue building strong connections within our vast alumni network. As we foster growth in imaginative and creative ways, we will continue to explore new opportunities to expand enrollment across the university.

• Launched digital badges
• Launched B.S. in Nursing, Doctorate of Nursing Practice (DNP), B.S. in Applied Psychology
• Began Kuwait Graduate certificate in educational administration and Master of Arts in Education Programs in partnership with American Creativity Academy
• Initiated enrollment review and review of college academic portfolio
• Developed a strategic enrollment campaign
• Refocused and Aligned Enrollment Management Area
• Reinvigorated Bachelor’s Completion programs
• Focused on enrollment growth through external communications with Marketing and Communication
• Completed implementation of the student information system
• Fully implemented new LMS (Canvas)

Saint Mary’s is a leader recognized for its regionally dominant and nationally prominent programs and services that emphasize excellence. Through our approach to foster innovation, which includes offering multiple online programs and pathways, along with campuses in Winona, Rochester, and Minneapolis, the university will continue to meet the needs of all students — traditional and non-traditional — wherever they are in their career and life journeys, bridging the geographical gap to serve them where they live and work.

• Approximately 240 faculty completed online teaching certificates
• Launched 24 new graduate certificates (Accelerators) and 74 digital badges
• Completed renovation of Aquinas Hall to include maker space, digital teaming labs, and external partnerships suite
• Began development and hired staff for Co-Curricular Arts programming
• Created a collaborative nursing program suite in Aquinas Hall
• Developed pathway concept in business
• Initiated an innovative student life experience for undergraduate students on our Winona Campus
• Promoted GeoSpatial Services (GSS) as a model for experiential learning
• Implemented SIS

Saint Mary’s will continue to develop relevant programs that are aligned with ever-evolving workforce needs, bolstering our commitment to supporting students’ career success. Emphasizing graduation and completion rates, we will continue to deliver programs tailored to emerging fields and prepare students with the practical skills and knowledge required for in-demand careers.

• Hired inaugural Jack and Mary Ann Remick Chair of Nursing
• Restructured College academic portfolios and redesign Gen Ed program
• Identified programs of distinction
  • Business: Top Online MBA in Minnesota (U.S. News & World Report, 2021 and 2022)
  • Education: #4 M.A. in Educational Leadership program in Minnesota (U.S. News & World Report, 2021)

• Developed Rochester Campus initiatives

We need to be well prepared as we continue working creatively within higher education to make it possible for our schools to transform our society and the world. We will continue to insist on and strive for higher education that helps learners engage and wrestle with great ideas – toward the goal of helping to form flourishing servant leaders. We are all in this together and by association. Individually and collectively, we will make this possible.

• Largest philanthropic commitment in University history of $25 million
• Received $1.2 million in endowed gifts for Hendrickson Institute
• Awarded Kern Foundation grant ($1.7 million)
• Restructured Advancement team, hiring several new positions to support capital campaign
• Expanded endowment to 100 million dollars in five years
• Continued University Program Planning process (new programs, program closures, introducing new modalities, and prioritizing and aligning resources)
• Continued reorganization around ”integrated university” (examples – library website, online programs, LMS, assessment, writing, CELT); updated College Faculty Handbook; updated SGPP Faculty Handbook (including sabbatical option)
• Focused on developing and growing partnerships
• Bolstered institutional effectiveness, planning, and analytics
• Implement J1 Analytics
• Completed Implementation of Student Information System
• Expanded Financial Resources