The Coalition for Transformational Education is excited to announce that the University of St. Thomas in Minnesota has officially joined the Coalition through the innovative St. Thomas Purpose Project. This initiative is set to significantly enhance and provide a structured approach to the university’s existing campus initiatives focused on embedding purpose in the student experience.
The St. Thomas Purpose Project aims to bring together faculty and staff leaders across the university to engage collaboratively, with the goal of reaching all students with a sense of purpose and vocation.
University of St. Thomas President Robert K. Vischer emphasized the importance of this initiative, stating, “We know from surveys that many young people today are suffering from a lack of purpose and meaning in their lives, and that void contributes to the mental health, loneliness, and hopelessness crises pervading our campuses and boding ill for our country’s future. At every St. Thomas new student orientation, we share our aspiration for each of them: that they emerge from their time with us with the unshakeable knowledge that they are loved, that their lives have purpose, that their work has meaning, and that they have been gifted by God to make irreplaceable contributions to our world. We reject the notion that higher education institutions must become transactional, focused only on providing job skills as efficiently as possible. While preparing students for professional success is important, instilling a sense of purpose alongside employment readiness is imperative.”
Key Initiatives of the St. Thomas Purpose Project include:
- Development of a Signature Course on Purpose
The Melrose & The Toro Company Center for Principled Leadership at the Opus College of Business, under the leadership of Dr. Christopher Michaelson, is in the beginning stages of developing a signature course that will help students explore meaning and purpose in their careers. The Purpose Project will support the pilot course and help reach all undergraduate students with its content. - Introducing Sophomores to Vocation and Purpose
Recognizing that second-year students, particularly those from underrepresented groups, are at a critical stage for vocational exploration, the Purpose Project will expand an existing initiative that helps first-generation sophomores develop skills in reflection, listening, and vocational exploration. - Connecting More Students to Storytelling
The College of Arts and Sciences is championing initiatives that allow students to develop their sense of identity and purpose through storytelling. This includes a story exchange with Narrative Four and student-run Story Slams on campus. The Purpose Project will elevate these storytelling opportunities, making them accessible to the entire student population.
Keith Buffinton, Executive Director of the Coalition for Transformational Education, expressed his enthusiasm for the collaboration: “We are honored to welcome the University of St. Thomas to our Coalition. The St. Thomas Purpose Project is a shining example of how institutions can take proactive steps to foster a deeper sense of purpose among their students. We look forward to supporting St. Thomas in this transformative endeavor and sharing the insights gained with our broader community.”
About the Coalition for Transformational Education:
The Coalition for Transformational Education is a group of leaders in higher education dedicated to promoting evidence-based, learner-centered education that fosters well-being and work engagement throughout life.
About the University of St. Thomas:
The University of St. Thomas is the largest private university in Minnesota. Founded in 1885, St. Thomas has campuses in St. Paul, Minneapolis and Rome (Italy), serving more than 9,000 students pursuing more than 200 undergraduate and graduate degrees. St. Thomas is a mission-based organization recognized for its extensive alumni network, best-in-class job placement rates and excellent student experiences, including more than 140 student clubs and a flourishing NCAA division-1 athletics atmosphere. 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. As a Princeton Review Top 50 Green College, US News & World Report Best Value University and the only university in Minnesota to be designated a Changemaker Campus, St. Thomas is uniquely positioned as a leader in higher education. To learn more, please visit stthomas.edu.
