St. Catherine University creates ethical, compassionate, influential leaders.
One woman at a time.
Since 1905, St. Catherine University has educated ethical, reflective, and socially responsible graduates, steeped in the calling of our founders the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet to do “all of which woman is capable, and which will most benefit the dear neighbor.” The importance of women in leading social change for a more just world has never been more apparent than it is today. The installation of the United States’ first woman vice president marked a seminal moment in national history, and a profound point of reflection on the Katie who was the first woman to be nominated by a major political party for the same role, back in 1948. Women in leadership —BIPOC women, in particular — face ongoing barriers, but we have hope, and a plan: St. Kate’s has more than a century of proven results in advancing women in leadership. Our pantheon of changemakers grows every day, inspiring us to continue with the education that is already uplifting our next generation of leaders.
For more than a century, we have proven how women can and should lead. From our own president’s office — which has only ever had a woman sitting at the desk — to the scores of women who graduate from us to lead across a diversity of markets, St. Catherine University has held true to its mission to educate women to lead and influence. We share our knowledge as the only Minnesota institution conducting this important research in the annual Minnesota Census of Women in Corporate Leadership, and we can track the difference women make in leading corporate organizations. It’s a learning opportunity we’ve used to create a new and exciting program through a gift by The Manitou Fund: the Katie Leadership Impact program fosters students’ leadership skills through academic and co-curricular experiences, helping students lay the foundations for a meaningful career.
Our graduates and current students are changing the world already. Whether you look at critical healthcare efforts, grassroots community-building, governance, or radical DEI, St. Kate’s leaders are there forging the way to a better society, and doing it long before women’s leadership became a hashtag. With cutting-edge resources like our new data science program and a new Katie Compass to guide students as they navigate towards a career and meaningful life, we’re dedicated to making sure Katies graduate prepared to create the future they see for themselves and the world.
In women’s leadership, St. Kate’s doesn’t just walk the walk — we pave the path.
We’ve come a long way on the road to equity and equality: the measurements proving the potential and worth of this work have been out there for the world to take in. When given the opportunity, women leverage their economic empowerment for the benefit of as many others as possible. The ripple effects of the value women bring to leadership roles is undeniable and as the next generation of leaders emerge, higher education is their best launchpad.
What more will it take, then, to move women’s leadership from a novelty to the necessity we’ve recognized it as for 116 years? That’s our daily work at St. Catherine University, and is why we’re #1 in our home state among private colleges when it comes to improving our students’ economic mobility. We don’t do it alone, either. The ROI is one you won’t find in any other investment.
There’s room at our table for you to join us. Our world’s future leaders will thank you.
