Office of the President

Julie H. Sullivan is the 15th president of the University of St. Thomas. Serving since July 2013, she is the first layperson and first female president of this almost 135-year-old Catholic university. St. Thomas is the largest private university in Minnesota, with 10,000 students and 2,000 employees. With campuses in St. Paul, Minneapolis and Rome, St. Thomas is a comprehensive university, grounded in the liberal arts and Catholic intellectual tradition, and encompassing eight schools and colleges, including schools/colleges of business, engineering, education and law. Its newest college, the Dougherty Family College is reducing the college education and prosperity gaps in Minnesota by providing an alternate pathway to a bachelor’s degree for first generation and socioeconomically disadvantaged students.

Sullivan served as executive vice president and provost at University of San Diego (2005-2013) after an extensive academic and administrative career as a professor of business and accounting at the University of California-San Diego (2003-2005) and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (1987-2003).

Sullivan is an innovative academic leader with a purpose. She is known for her commitments to eliminating economic, education and health disparities and promoting intercultural understanding. She is a champion for social innovation and has been a leader in the global Ashoka Changemaker movement.

Sullivan shares her education, financial, leadership and strategy expertise with public companies, as well as nonprofit organizations. She currently is a board member of TCF Financial Corp., Catholic Charities, Minnesota Business Partnership, Loyola University Chicago and Greater MSP. She also is a member of WomenCorporateDirectors and Minnesota Women’s Economic Roundtable.

Sullivan’s prior board service includes 14 years of cumulative experience as a director of three other public companies: PICO Holdings, Applied Micro and United PanAm Financial Corporation. She also has served on additional non-profit boards, including Greater Twin Cities United Way, Project Concern International and The Old Globe Theatre.

A native of Florida, Sullivan has three degrees from the University of Florida, a bachelor’s degree in accounting, a master’s degree in taxation and a Ph.D. in business. She is a (non-practicing) certified public accountant.

Biography (Print Version)

The 2025 Strategic Plan was developed to focus our efforts over the next 5 years, building on the success of the 2020 Strategic Plan, recognizing the headwinds and opportunities facing the university, and shaped by input from the entire St. Thomas community.

Our 10-year Aspiration

The University of St. Thomas will advance to the level of excellence, impact and reputation that distinguishes the top 10 national Catholic universities.

Guiding Themes

As our community came together through the strategic planning process to develop goals for the next five years, the following themes emerged. These will guide our work, helping us remain true to what makes St. Thomas unique while empowering us to focus on key ongoing and emerging priorities that will help us thrive.

• Ever Press Forward through Innovation
• Build Belonging and Promote Equity
• Ensure Access, Achievement, and Outcomes for All
• Lean In to Our Catholic Mission
• Widen the Circle of Impact
• Strengthen Culture as We Embrace Change

See how the Themes and Priorities of the 2025 Strategic Plan interweave

Additional information

• Watch a video overview of the 2025 plan
• Visit the St. Thomas 2025 Strategic Plan website
• Read the entire plan as a PDF
• Read the Strategic Plan Progress Report to the Board