Distinctive. Distinguished. Truly exceptional.
These are the benchmarks against which we continuously compare the USD experience with that of other wonderful colleges and universities across the country, indeed around the world. And how do we compare? By most every measure, the University of San Diego is thriving as one of the nation’s most vibrant and successful Catholic universities.
Within the past year, USD became part of the elite Ashoka U network of only 19 changemaker campuses whose purpose is to foster and support positive, meaningful change worldwide through social entrepreneurship and innovation. Ashoka U strategies leverage the entire institutional ecosystem of programs — the admissions process, the curricula, research, extracurricular activities, career services and alumni programs — for lasting social impact. It challenges stakeholders throughout the institution, including the president, the administration and staff, faculty, students and their parents, alumni, benefactors and other friends of the university, to create a new design for higher education focused on addressing the world’s pressing social and environmental challenges in the most pragmatic, grassroots ways.
As a Roman Catholic institution, USD and its mission are expressions of the Church’s long tradition and commitment to social change, with a consistent vision of preparing leaders dedicated to ethical conduct and compassionate service. Meeting challenges and leading change are central to the University of San Diego’s mission and values. Ours is a campus community now publicly recognized as a changemaker campus for its willingness to take on challenges and to encourage all to make a difference on a personal, local and global level.
From the beginning, changemaking has been a part of our DNA at USD. We continue to encourage our entire campus community and extended Torero family to create a positive social impact by cultivating within themselves the most fundamental changemaker values of empathy, creativity and leadership.
The University of San Diego is a catalyst for change largely because of your continued support and encouragement. Thank you for being a part of what makes USD distinctive, for helping us achieve our most noble aspirations, and for keeping the USD experience truly exceptional.
Sincerely,
Mary E. Lyons, PhD
President, University of San Diego
