MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. — Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota has officially launched Cardinal Complete, a transfer pathway that benefits students at community colleges. The initiative, which provides a seamless transition for students at community colleges to move on to bachelor’s degree completion, kicked off May 1 at St. Paul College with an official recognition of the long-standing partnership between the schools.
“Both institutions help make dreams come true, which is why this is such a great partnership,” said Brother Robert Smith, FSC, Ph.D., senior vice president and chief academic officer at Saint Mary’s. “Both of our institutions are really mission driven. It’s all about the student; it’s not about us. It’s about those young and not so young people who come to us to try to build a life.”
For years, Saint Mary’s has worked with transfer students at schools like St. Paul College to complete their bachelor’s degrees for programs offered in Minneapolis and online. Saint Mary’s recognizes and honors students’ previous learning with a transparent transfer credit policy.
“The partnership between Saint Mary’s and St. Paul College is really grounded in our commitment to students,” said Kristen Raney, Ed.D., vice president of academic affairs and chief academic officer at St. Paul College. “When partners have a shared vision for student success, for students to have access to support and have access to programs … I think that any partnership is set up for success.”
More information about Cardinal Complete can be found at smumn.edu/cardinalcomplete.
Photo caption: From left, Dr. Paul Christensen, Saint Mary’s assistant dean for the Graduate School of Business and Technology; Brother Robert Smith, FSC, Ph.D., Saint Mary’s senior vice president and chief academic officer; Dr. Kristen Raney, St. Paul College vice president of academic affairs and chief academic officer; Dr. Brendan Ashby, St. Paul College dean of health sciences and Service Programs; Dr. Susan Jarosak, Saint Mary’s assistant dean for the Graduate School of Health and Human Services; Dr. Tom Marpe, Saint Mary’s dean of Business and Technology; Dr. Rassoul Dastmozd, St. Paul College president; Gena Bilden, Saint Mary’s associate vice president of Enrollment Management and Student Services for the Schools of Graduate and Professional Programs; Laura King, St. Paul College vice president of student affairs and chief student officer; and Dr. Todd Reinhart, Saint Mary’s dean of the School of Sciences and Health Professions.