As I approach the university, an aura of significant power overcomes me. I take in my surroundings with a new appreciation for my experience in college. Although my reason for coming is not for an exam or a lecture, it is still all the more nostalgic. The campus resonates with professors passionately interpreting Hamlet’s struggle and translating pharmacology formulas.
SaintXavierUniversity’s reputation is apparent with its impeccable campus and sophisticated buildings. I am moments away from interviewing the president of this esteemed institution,Dr. Judith Dwyer—a woman, just like you and me, who made it to the top. Her very presence demands respect and complete professionalism. Dr. Dwyer was a professor in ethics before she ultimately made it to her present position., She is very passionate about the university and its projects; it’s more than a little inspiring to listen to her and envision her drive.
I cordially invite you to accompany me on a travel to what promises to be a wealth of experience and wisdom in the heart and mind of a classy, powerful woman. Her stimulating advice, intriguing plans, and inspiring company will have youyearning for more of her knowledge and stamina. Here’s a glimpse into what it takes in a world full of hurdles and many challenges to succeed;and how, with determination, drive, and passion, women can make a difference—ripples in an expansive sea of opportunities.
Spirit:As you serve your second year as St. Xavier University’s president, what have been your greatest accomplishments thus far, and what do you envision in St. Xavier’s future under your leadership?
Dr. Dwyer:That’s an excellent question. What I would like to highlight are several areas of the work that we’ve been doing together as a community. The first is the strategic planning effort:the faculty, students, staff, alumni, and trustees collectively have been involved in the process of yielding eight major strategic directions for the university, which now provides the framework for our future planning. Planning, as you know, never stops. But the framework is important, and I think we achieved a great deallast year with that. Within the context of strategic planning, there’s master campus planning. We are taking a look at our Chicago campus and our need for facilities, a new library, anew science facility, and so forth, and deciding how and where we are going to situate them on a relatively limited plot of acreage (74-76 acres). So, planning that very carefully with consultants and, again, with the community is a second major area. The third major area has been enhanced visibility for the university. Part of the process and one of the major strategic directions was to bring more visibility to the university, to put together a comprehensive marketing campaign, to establish an office of university relations, and we have done that. I think the office, and the very professional team that has been put together has really done ,a monumental job in a very short period of time to reposition the university as leading Catholic, comprehensive university in the Midwest. Finally, I would point to two other pieces. One would be work with the Board in terms of fundraising, securing major gifts for the university, and the second of that piece would be continuing to focus on mission., We were founded in 1846, so we are the oldest Catholic university in Chicago, and the core values that have been part of the university, and its tradition of being an inclusive university in the tradition of the Sisters of Mercy has been, in a sense, the foundation for all the planning. So, strategic planning, master campus planning, new visibility fundraising, board development, and the underlined proposal of mission, and being mission driven are some of the areas in which I’ve been dedicating quite a bit of time.
