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University of Saint Mary tells commission enrollment and program expansions are driving campus growth
Summary
University of Saint Mary representatives briefed the commission on program growth including a now-accredited online MSW with 80 students, expansion of trading and investment activity at the Saint Mary Fund, prison education enrollment and plans to update campus facilities including Xavier Hall.
A representative of the University of Saint Mary gave a semiannual update to the Leavenworth City Commission highlighting academic program growth, campus plans and community partnerships.
“Sister Diane” (the university representative) said the university’s business department is sending 10 students to the Future Business Leaders of America national competition and described an applied trading program that now operates as the Saint Mary Fund, managing $3,000,000 in investments after growing from a $1,000,000 portfolio; she said earnings help pay student tuition and room and board.
Sister Diane reported that the university’s master of social work program is fully accredited, is offered fully online, has about 80 students and now accepts students from Missouri. The accelerated nursing program will move lecture/didactic components online while keeping on-campus clinical skills sessions for hands-on training, the presenter said.
The university said it continues to expand a prison-education program, with about 20 incarcerated students enrolled across facilities including the Lansing Correctional Facility and a federal prison; the program assigns full-time staff to manage the work and brings modified academic ceremonies into the facilities.
Campus projects detailed in the report include a multi-year master plan that proposes renovations to Xavier Hall (flattening a theater floor for flexible ballroom-style use), new HyFlex classrooms, a larger simulation lab for nursing, expanded broadcasting facilities and more flexible instructional space. Sister Diane said fall enrollment was “over 1,400.”
The commission and university staff discussed local practicum and internship placements for social work students; Sister Diane said local students generally complete placements in Leavenworth-area nonprofit partners, shelters and nursing homes, and that program leaders hope local placements increase retention.
Clarifying details: Saint Mary Fund investment pool reported at $3,000,000 (previously $1,000,000), MSW fully online and accredited with ~80 students, prison program enrollment ~20 incarcerated individuals, fall total enrollment over 1,400, and a multi-year master plan targeting Xavier Hall and simulation/broadcasting upgrades.
