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Mission and Ministry

The Division of Mission and Ministry is charged with clearly articulating and broadly communicating Santa Clara University’s Jesuit, Catholic mission and character. In the diverse and dynamic region of Silicon Valley, this entails developing new strategies to meet the evolving needs of the campus, church, and local community, while strengthening Santa Clara University’s position as a nationally recognized Jesuit, Catholic university.

The Division of Mission and Ministry is comprised of Campus Ministry, the Ignatian Center for Jesuit Education, and the Mission Church. Building on a strong campus commitment to the University’s Jesuit, Catholic mission, the Division oversees the development and implementation of initiatives to engage students, faculty, staff, administrators, trustees, alumni, and benefactors in deeper education and ongoing formation, helping these groups to make the mission their own and apply it concretely to their work and life. The Division collaborates closely with the new vice president for diversity, equity and inclusion and other Cabinet members to accomplish shared goals that allow Santa Clara University to live more authentically its Jesuit, Catholic mission. 

 

Meet the New Vice President

“Fr. Carnes' leadership as an educator, scholar, and Jesuit public intellectual will be a tremendous asset as we work towards strengthening Santa Clara’s position as a globally engaged and recognized Jesuit Catholic university,” said Santa Clara University President Julie Sullivan.

"His vision and experience will help strengthen and promote the University’s Jesuit Catholic mission and character in ways that are bold, inclusive, and reflective of the rich diversity of our  University community.” 

Making an Impact
1
DIVISION
 
3
DISTINCT UNITS
 
25
STAFF MEMBERS
 
1500+
STUDENTS IMPACTED ANNUALLY
 

Upcoming Events

Engaging SCU's Mission

Isabella Gomez '27
Navigate here to A School, A Tribe, and A Deepening Partnership
Revealing an Unseen History Interactive Tour SCU Campus Ohlone
Navigate here to Revealing an Unseen History
Sustainability Innovation Champion Award Recipients Alison Benders, Iris Stewart-Frey, Jaylin Solis, Chad Rahpael
Navigate here to Sustainability Innovation Champion Award

How does one define community? For Alison Benders, Vice President for Mission and Ministry at Santa Clara University, community is about shared values. While SCU’s values are inspired by our university’s foundation as a Jesuit Catholic institution, they have grown to welcome people of all backgrounds who want to build a more humane, just, and sustainable world.

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Finding Harmony Between the Head, the Heart, and the Hands

A delegation from Santa Clara University and its Jesuit School of Theology visited Rome this week to meet various leaders from the Vatican and the Society of Jesus. The trip included a private audience for President Sullivan with Pope Francis.