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Strategic Priorities

As the oldest operating university in California, Santa Clara is proud of its Jesuit, Catholic identity and poised to secure its future as one of America's most distinctive institutions of higher education.

The 2011 Strategic Plan, which served as the genesis of today's Santa Clara 2020 direction, outlined five strategic priorities to advance Santa Clara's mission and strengthen the University's capacity to provide the kind of education needed to help students shape a better world for all. The five strategic priorities are:

Priority 1: Excellence in Jesuit Education

A Santa Clara education continues to be distinguished by its attention to the formation of the whole person and educate leaders of competence, conscience and compassion.

Priority 2: Engagement with Silicon Valley

SCU provides students, faculty, and alumni opportunities to become immersed in the rich cultural diversity and entrepreneurship and innovation - characteristics of the Silicon Valley.

Priority 3: Global Understanding and Engagement

Santa Clara offers its students a 21st-century education that provides an understanding of global complexities coupled with opportunities for action and engagement.

Priority 4: Justice and Sustainability

Through teaching, research, and community engagement, SCU advances the knowledge and understanding of the ways in which social justice and sustainability intersect.

Priority 5: Academic Community

Santa Clara continues to strengthen the quality and diversity of SCU's faculty, staff, and students while providing the resources and facilities necessary to support advanced teaching and scholarship.