Darlene Marcos Shiley has pledged the largest-ever gift to the University of San Diego, and among the largest gifts to any Catholic university in the nation. The transformational gift of $75 million is an investment in USD’s people, programs and facilities. As part of the gift, USD will establish the Shiley STEM Initiative, a comprehensive program that will enhance the university’s existing STEM programs and place it among the top programs nationally for STEM research and education. The gift will also support signature USD programs that have been past beneficiaries of Donald and Darlene Shiley’s generosity.
Video: A New Vision for STEM Education
New Facilities for Shiley STEM Initiative Take Shape
Thanks to a transformational gift from Darlene Marcos Shiley, USD is building best in class spaces for teaching, research and collaboration.
Video: The Shiley Stem Initiative
A New Generation of visionaries, Changemakers and leaders
From its very founding, the University of San Diego has been shaped by visionaries, Changemakers and Leaders. Today the questions before us are different, shaped by technology and globalization, and the call to serve humanity has never been greater. At USD it’s not about innovation for innovation’s sake. It’s about taking an education grounded in values and preparing future leaders with courage, creativity and conviction.
The Future is Now
Innovative Solutions to Urgent Challenges
Darlene Marcos Shiley, philanthropist and Chair Emerita of USD’s Board of Trustees, and USD President James T. Harris III, DEd, share their vision for the Shiley STEM Initiative and its impact on the future of education at the university.
Darlene Shiley is one of the most generous and kind individuals that anyone could ever meet. She’s always looking out for humanity and the best interests of our society, and she particularly loves our students. We are a better institution because of Donald and Darlene Shiley and what they’ve decided to do for this institution and what they’ve done for this world. In our vision statement we talk about leading with love, and Donald and Darlene Shiley have always led with love.
Key Components of the Shiley STEM Initiative
A New Home for Integrative STEM Studies
Mrs. Shiley’s visionary gift will establish a new space that integrates engineering and the natural sciences at USD and will revolutionize programming in STEM, with opportunities for cross-disciplinary projects, new majors and minors, new certificate programs and curriculum expansion for the entire student journey. As this space develops, it can include flexible classrooms for collaborative teaching, “Makers Spaces” for students and faculty, expanded machine shops for STEM disciplines, and expanded biomedical engineering labs and shops.
Unparalleled Undergraduate Research Opportunities
The initiative will support USD’s deep commitment to undergraduate research opportunities in the STEM fields to prepare students for thriving academic or research-focused careers. These scholarships and fellowships will build on USD’s award-winning and successful programs that will allow students the opportunity to immerse in research before they even arrive at USD, throughout their first year, and over the summer.
The values, the drive, the education - all those things have to come together, and they can at a place like the University of San Diego.
By The Numbers
16
STEM Majors Offered at USD
1200+
Current Students in STEM Programs
50%
Increase in students choosing STEM Majors since 2013
9
National Science Foundation Career Awardees
U.S. National Science Foundation
#14
Best Undergraduate Engineering Program
U.S. News & World Report
Why STEM at USD?
USD provides a values-based education rooted in the Catholic Intellectual Tradition and the liberal arts, empowering students to become ethical and compassionate leaders who will create a more inclusive, sustainable and hopeful world. In addition:
USD’s Existing STEM Programs are Robust
The Shiley-Marcos School of Engineering and the College of Arts and Sciences are training the STEM workforce of the future with 16 BS/BA, BS and BA degrees including interdisciplinary STEM fields like biomedical ethics, integrated engineering and cognitive science.
STEM is Growing Exponentially at USD
The number of students majoring in STEM disciplines have grown by 50% in the past decade and that number is only expected to rise.
USD Focuses on a Collaborative Approach
USD faculty members are outstanding scholars and teachers, known for providing unparalleled access to research opportunities for undergraduate students and collaborating across disciplines.
San Diego is a Hub of Innovation
STEM industries drive the economic engine of San Diego and as a “Biotech Beach,” USD graduates will be ready to meet the needs of our local organizations.
STEM Programs Meet the Needs of Tomorrow
Preparing students in the STEM disciplines will meet the growing demands of tomorrow’s industries. Estimates suggest that 85% of the jobs our current students will be doing in 2030 do not yet exist, and the number of STEM occupations is projected to grow by almost 11% by 2031.
Transformational Support Across USD
As a longtime supporter of USD, Mrs. Shiley’s transformational gift will also impact two additional programs that are the beneficiaries of her past and present generosity:
Master of Fine Arts Support
Since 2013, the Donald P. and Darlene M. Shiley Master of Fine Arts (MFA) has revolutionized arts education. The stipend helped establish the University of San Diego as a premier institution to study the craft of acting in the United States while giving students economic freedom as they pursue their education. Mrs. Shiley’s transformational gift will add additional support for USD’s MFA students in The Old Globe University of San Diego Shiley Graduate Theatre Program, ranked among the top 10 programs in the nation by The Hollywood Reporter.
Assistance to Military-Connected Students
There are over 100,000 active-duty service members and over 240,000 veterans in San Diego county. Donald and Darlene Shiley have a long history of supporting military-connected students at USD, and Mrs. Shiley’s transformational gift will add additional support for this growing population of students at USD. This support will help make a USD education possible for our valued military-connected students and expand USD’s ability to meet the needs of this important community.
UNIVERSITY NEWS
Both Donald and myself came from poor backgrounds. But we learned at a very early age that education was the way to move forward. You’re not going to go anyplace if you don’t get educated and prepare yourself for what the world has out there.