Expand Pathways through the Dougherty Family College

As we continue to grow and strengthen the Dougherty Family College, we will set the standard for academic preparation of traditionally underrepresented students by achieving high retention and graduation rates and by creating pathways for students to earn a four-year degree. We will design and develop preparation for majors in STEM, business and health professions. We will create four-year degree plans for all majors at the University of St. Thomas. As we set students up for success, we will build their professional competency and help them become transformative community leaders.

Related Themes

2025 Strategic Plan	Build Belonging and Promote Equity	Lean In to Our Catholic Mission	Widen the Circle of Impact
Expand Pathways through the Dougherty Family College	Priority	Priority	Priority

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

• Main Strategic Plan page
• See all 2025 Strategic Priorities
• Progress Reports on the Strategic Plan

Measuring Progress

Success Metrics

Progress Update

Key Leaders

Success Metrics

1. DFC scholars are academically confident and accomplished.
   • More than 80 percent graduate with an AA degree from DFC within 2 years.
   • 85% of DFC scholars maintain enrollment from fall to fall each year.
2. DFC has established pathways.
   • Pathways to 100% of University of St. Thomas’ BA/BS majors are established.
   • 85%+ of DFC graduates transfer to a four-year college.
   • 70%+ of DFC scholars go on to earn a BA/BS degree within 5 years.
3. DFC scholars are poised for success in their communities, lives and professional careers.
   • 90%+ of DFC graduating scholars complete a professional development class and are placed in an internship.
4. DFC's financial model is balanced and sustainable.
   • More than 170 scholars are enrolled each year.
   • Achieve five-year fundraising goal of $15 million.
5. DFC is a collaborative, supportive and inclusive community.
   • 50%+ of the DFC team (administration, faculty and staff) is representative of the college’s scholars (traditionally underrepresented).
   • Year over year retention rate for faculty and staff is 75%+.
   • Annual event centered on DFC’s stated values (anti-racist, community-minded, culturally-sustaining, empowering, holistic, rigorous, student-focused).

Progress Update, February 2022

The St. Thomas 2025 Strategic Plan debuted in February 2021. We continually track and report on our progress; here are key developments from the past year, as of February 2024:

The Dougherty Family College has attracted media attention for its work to provide a pathway for underrepresented students. The Star Tribune featured DFC in a September 2023 feature. In Inside Higher Ed, Dean Buffy Smith, said the college's diversity reflects its close, carefully forged ties with community organizations, including boys' and girls' clubs, mosques, churches, synagogues, and cultural centers.

The article highlighted that the college's average two-year graduation rate is 56 percent, and 80 percent of DFC graduates transfer to a four-year institution. Three-fourths of associate degree graduates are currently in or have graduated from a bachelor's degree program. Since the college's founding, 313 students earned associate degrees, and 86 students have graduated with four-year degrees, most of them from the University of St. Thomas.

Nationally, a little over 31 percent of community college students transfer, and of those who transfer, slightly fewer than half complete a bachelor's degree within six years, according to a 2022 report from the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center.

• See Progress Reports

Key Leaders

• Buffy Smith, Dean, Dougherty Family College

Success Metrics

Success Metrics

1. DFC scholars are academically confident and accomplished.
   • More than 80 percent graduate with an AA degree from DFC within 2 years.
   • 85% of DFC scholars maintain enrollment from fall to fall each year.
2. DFC has established pathways.
   • Pathways to 100% of University of St. Thomas’ BA/BS majors are established.
   • 85%+ of DFC graduates transfer to a four-year college.
   • 70%+ of DFC scholars go on to earn a BA/BS degree within 5 years.
3. DFC scholars are poised for success in their communities, lives and professional careers.
   • 90%+ of DFC graduating scholars complete a professional development class and are placed in an internship.
4. DFC's financial model is balanced and sustainable.
   • More than 170 scholars are enrolled each year.
   • Achieve five-year fundraising goal of $15 million.
5. DFC is a collaborative, supportive and inclusive community.
   • 50%+ of the DFC team (administration, faculty and staff) is representative of the college’s scholars (traditionally underrepresented).
   • Year over year retention rate for faculty and staff is 75%+.
   • Annual event centered on DFC’s stated values (anti-racist, community-minded, culturally-sustaining, empowering, holistic, rigorous, student-focused).

Progress Update

Progress Update, February 2022

The St. Thomas 2025 Strategic Plan debuted in February 2021. We continually track and report on our progress; here are key developments from the past year, as of February 2024:

The Dougherty Family College has attracted media attention for its work to provide a pathway for underrepresented students. The Star Tribune featured DFC in a September 2023 feature. In Inside Higher Ed, Dean Buffy Smith, said the college's diversity reflects its close, carefully forged ties with community organizations, including boys' and girls' clubs, mosques, churches, synagogues, and cultural centers.

The article highlighted that the college's average two-year graduation rate is 56 percent, and 80 percent of DFC graduates transfer to a four-year institution. Three-fourths of associate degree graduates are currently in or have graduated from a bachelor's degree program. Since the college's founding, 313 students earned associate degrees, and 86 students have graduated with four-year degrees, most of them from the University of St. Thomas.

Nationally, a little over 31 percent of community college students transfer, and of those who transfer, slightly fewer than half complete a bachelor's degree within six years, according to a 2022 report from the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center.

• See Progress Reports

Key Leaders

Key Leaders

• Buffy Smith, Dean, Dougherty Family College

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