St. Thomas will provide exceptional and interdisciplinary Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math (STEAM) programming. With consultation from employers, we will co-create relevant cross-disciplinary curricula that inspire creative problem solving among our students and enable collaboration.Â
As we grow these opportunities, we will intentionally beckon diverse students and faculty toward our inclusive programs and spaces. The new STEAM Complex on south campus will provide world-class space to accommodate intentional enrollment and diversity growth in engineering, health and digital media fields, in close collaboration with arts and sciences programs.
The exemplary offerings, along with the physical complex, will attract top students and faculty from around the country and globe who seek premier STEAM experiences and degrees.
| 2025 Strategic Plan | Ever Press Forward through Innovation | Build Belonging and Promote Equity | Widen the Circle of Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lead in STEAM* Education | Priority | Priority | Priority |
See how the Themes and Priorities of the 2025 Strategic Plan interweave.
The St. Thomas 2025 Strategic Plan debuted in February 2021. We continually track and report on our progress; here are key developments from the past year, as of February 2024:
On February 5, we officially opened the doors to the Schoenecker Center, thereby achieving a major milestone towards our goal of leading in STEAM Education. The Schoenecker Center features marquee learning spaces for STEM and arts education, including an engineering high bay, a 150-seat music performance hall, science laboratories, emerging media studios and an art gallery.
Classes on the first day showcased the exciting connections among STEAM fields. Nursing students took their first chemistry lab. Physics and engineering majors began experimenting in Electromagnetic Fields. Science and communication majors sat side-by-side in the interdisciplinary course, "Science, Media and Social Impact."
The five-level, 130,000-square-foot complex is poised to help St. Thomas become a national model for interdisciplinary learning and has received a significant amount of both earned and owned media.
U.S. Representative Betty McCollum visited the Schoenecker Center in January to see how federal partnerships that improve sustainable energy sources and fill important workforce skills gaps are coming to life. McCollum, who served as the chair of the U.S. House Defense Appropriations Subcommittee from 2021-23 and is now the ranking member, is championing several St. Thomas initiatives and is helping to secure significant federal investments. Her support, along with our targeted efforts to increase our federal grant activity, have increased federal funding to St. Thomas significantly in the last four years. St. Thomas will have received a total of $36 million in Congressional appropriations once the current appropriations bill is signed into law. In addition, we have increased grant activity by about $2 million annually and are working to further that activity.
The St. Thomas 2025 Strategic Plan debuted in February 2021. We continually track and report on our progress; here are key developments from the past year, as of February 2024:
On February 5, we officially opened the doors to the Schoenecker Center, thereby achieving a major milestone towards our goal of leading in STEAM Education. The Schoenecker Center features marquee learning spaces for STEM and arts education, including an engineering high bay, a 150-seat music performance hall, science laboratories, emerging media studios and an art gallery.
Classes on the first day showcased the exciting connections among STEAM fields. Nursing students took their first chemistry lab. Physics and engineering majors began experimenting in Electromagnetic Fields. Science and communication majors sat side-by-side in the interdisciplinary course, "Science, Media and Social Impact."
The five-level, 130,000-square-foot complex is poised to help St. Thomas become a national model for interdisciplinary learning and has received a significant amount of both earned and owned media.
U.S. Representative Betty McCollum visited the Schoenecker Center in January to see how federal partnerships that improve sustainable energy sources and fill important workforce skills gaps are coming to life. McCollum, who served as the chair of the U.S. House Defense Appropriations Subcommittee from 2021-23 and is now the ranking member, is championing several St. Thomas initiatives and is helping to secure significant federal investments. Her support, along with our targeted efforts to increase our federal grant activity, have increased federal funding to St. Thomas significantly in the last four years. St. Thomas will have received a total of $36 million in Congressional appropriations once the current appropriations bill is signed into law. In addition, we have increased grant activity by about $2 million annually and are working to further that activity.
Assistant Professors JiYong Lee in the Department of Mechanical Engineering and Jose Capa Salinas in the Department of Civil Engineering joined the School of Engineering at the Â鶹´«Ã½ in Minnesota this academic year. They bring a wealth of expertise and experience to their respective fields. Capa Salinas is making a significant impact… The post New Professor Profile: JiYong Lee and Jose Capa Salinas appeared first on Newsroom | Â鶹´«Ã½.
The newly opened Schoenecker Center at the Â鶹´«Ã½ has been certified LEED Gold, one of the highest ratings bestowed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). The university’s central home for STEAM learning was honored for excellence in sustainable design and construction. LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is the most… The post Schoenecker Center Earns LEED Gold for Green Construction appeared first on Newsroom | Â鶹´«Ã½.
Â鶹´«Ã½â€™ School of Engineering continues to rank high among national peers as it works to stay at the forefront of industry needs in spaces like advanced manufacturing, renewable energy and artificial intelligence. For the 11th straight year, the school is listed in the top 50 engineering schools without a doctorate program in… The post St. Thomas Garners High Marks for Engineering, Overall Value on Best Colleges List appeared first on Newsroom | Â鶹´«Ã½.
U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith of Minnesota, as well as Congresswoman Betty McCollum from the state’s Fourth District, announced in June that they helped secure more than $1.1 million in federal funding for the School of Education and Dougherty Family College at the Â鶹´«Ã½ and the South St. Paul School… The post St. Thomas Receives $1.1M in Funding to Support Educating Diverse K-12 STEM Teachers appeared first on Newsroom | Â鶹´«Ã½.
Usually the one asking questions, it is time for Dr. Mark Neuzil to have his story told. Standing in the new Schoenecker Center as a member of the Emerging Media faculty, he is surrounded by a reminder of the progress seen by the university he calls home. The retiring professor worked as an environmental journalist… The post Tommie Storyteller Searches for Truth and Justice appeared first on Newsroom | Â鶹´«Ã½.