USD's mission, vision, and values animate this historical moment for our university as we work towards becoming a Hispanic Serving Institution. As a Catholic university anchored along the US/Mexico Border and residing on Kumeyaay land, we are uniquely positioned to serve an ever-growing diverse community where the stories, experiences, and heritage of Latinx and Hispanic people have been for decades. USD has long been committed to engaging with the imminent social issues of our time in order to enhance the common good, educate leaders, and enable our students to discern and commit to pathways that elevate fairness and equity. In service to our students, we hope to become the leading Catholic Hispanic Serving Institution in the U.S., committed to preparing the next generation to lead inspired and meaningful lives for themselves and the communities that have shaped them.
We are committed to honoring our pending HSI designation and proud to foster diversity, equity and inclusivity for our Hispanic students, faculty, staff, partners, and individuals of all backgrounds. This designation aligns with USD’s cross-border and internationalization initiatives and allows us the opportunity to receive the benefits of federal grants and funding that will support and expand the educational opportunities for everyone on our campus.
USD’s HSI Journey
Our work as an emerging Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) designation, is the direct result of USD’s diversity, equity and inclusion initiative, known as The Horizon Project.
USD’s History
Founders Mother Rosalie Clifton Hill and Bishop Charles Francis Buddy worked together to establish the San Diego College for Women, the San Diego College for Men and the School of Law. In 1972, these institutions merged to form what is now known as the University of San Diego.
The University of San Diego, positioned near the U.S.-Mexico border, has long had ties to its neighbors to the south.
Bishop Buddy, the first bishop of the San Diego Diocese, felt strongly about welcoming Hispanic parishioners into the diocese. He often said, whenever they came with children to be baptized, that it should be done at their convenience, “Morning, noon or night …”
In 1937, when Bishop Buddy gave his first public address to parishioners within the diocese, he spoke from his heart, without notes, and in three languages — English, Spanish and Italian.
The article, which appeared in The Southern Cross, reported that he poured forth his appreciation and his pledge to lead his people in Charity.
The Sacred Office that is mine, with all its responsibilities, demands courage, prudence and justice, but the only way I know how to govern is by the laws of Charity… The perfect society of the Church — both human and divine with the wisdom of the ages has powerful laws to guide, to strengthen, to protect. But the greatest of all the Church’s laws, like the greatest of the Commandments, is the law of Christ — Love one another. Let this be the Charter of our Relationship — the bilateral contract we enter into this day.
In October 1945, well before the doors to the San Diego College for Women opened, Bishop Buddy took a trip to Mexico City where he spent a week taking part in colorful ceremonies honoring Our Lady of Guadalupe. The trip was chronicled in The Southern Cross.
“The splendid manner in which the ceremonies were portrayed reminded me very much of the beautiful ceremonies I witnessed and took part in during my years in Rome,” the bishop stated.
When asked what he thought of the Mexican people, as a whole, His Excellency said, “They are keenly intellectual and very fervently Catholic.”
Video: The USD HSI Journey
Learn more about USD's journey to becoming an emerging HSI insitution through this collection of video news stories, features and interviews, both in English and Spanish.
12th Annual USD Mariachi Conference
Hundreds of students gathered at USD for a weekend to celebrate, learn about and perform mariachi music. They were instructed by some of the top mariachi musicians from the U.S. and Mexico.
Conferencia Anual de Mariachi en USD
Cientos de estudiantes se reunieron en USD durante un fin de semana para celebrar, aprender e interpretar música de mariachi. Los talleres fueron encabezados por algunos de los mejores músicos de mariachi de EE. UU. y México.
Virgen de Guadalupe Celebration at USD
2024 marked the 26th anniversary of USD's annual Virgen de Guadalupe celebration. This long-standing tradition brings the entire USD community (staff, faculty, and students) together to honor and celebrate the patroness of Mexico and the Americas.
The People Behind The Most Beautiful Campus Ranking
What does it take to be the most beautiful campus in the nation? A whole community of people – and a whole lot of love.
A Conversation with Associate Professor of Theology and Religious Studies Victor Carmona
Telemundo interviews USD Professor Victor Carmona about the university’s 75th anniversary; its history, its impact and its course for the future.
An Interview with Alumna Elsa Arnaiz ’64, ’80
Telemundo interviews double alumna Elsa Arnaiz ’64, ’80 on USD's campus to showcase the university's history as USD embarks on its 75th anniversary.
USD Lighting the Way Forward on the Camino de Santiago
In the summer of 2024, a group of 22 University of San Diego alumni and friends traveled the Camino de Santiago the Portuguese way in honor of the school’s 75th anniversary. The spiritual trip provided an opportunity for alumni to continue engaging with fellow Toreros while commemorating a special milestone for the university.
USD Alumni Journey to El Camino de Santiago
El Camino de Santiago or The Way of St. James, is a spiritual journey spanning hundreds of years. In celebration of the University of San Diego’s 75th anniversary, a group of alumni embarked on the 60-mile walk across parts of Portugal and Spain on their Way to Santiago de Compostela, where it is believed the remains of St. James rest.
Buen Camino: A Life-changing Experience
Chava Mercado ’06 has been through life altering experiences that brought him to the Camino de Santiago or The Way of St. James. In search for answers as he inches closer to yet another pivotal moment in his life, the University of San Diego alum joins others on the 60-mile spiritual pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela.
Bueno Camino: A Spiritual Pilgrimage
Tania Ortiz ‘04, a University of San Diego alumna finds herself growing closer to her teenage daughter as they travel thousands of miles away from home. The mother-daughter duo are traveling with fellow alumni on the Camino de Santiago or the Way of St. James on their way to Santiago de Compostela in Spain.