UIW and Partner Universities Launch CHARISM: Catholic Higher Education Alliance of Rising Institutions in Service and Mission

On Monday, Dec. 8, a bold new alliance of four innovative universities was officially commemorated at the UIW Broadway campus.

Dubbed CHARISM: Catholic Higher Education Alliance of Rising Institutions in Service and Mission, the alliance brings together the University of the Incarnate Word (UIW), Dominican University, University of Mount Saint Vincent and Universidad del Sagrado Corazón to provide exciting new opportunities to its students.

The universities share much in common: all share a Catholic heritage, were founded by women religious, are Hispanic-Serving Institutions, are Mission-driven and are located in major metropolitan areas. Through the agreement, the universities seek to develop high-impact student experiences, new education pathways, faculty collaboration, joint research, cross-registration opportunities and shared co-curricular initiatives.

"Today is an auspicious day," opened UIW Provost Dr. Eva Fernández. "Four institutions in four urban centers in the continental U.S. and in Puerto Rico are taking a bold step in forging an alliance that will allow us to charge new courses for academic exploration, for discovery and for growth. His Holiness, Pope Leo XIV, has described Catholic universities as 'choreographers of knowledge', calling on us to become pathways of the mind and towards God. That is such a beautiful calling, so today, we take a key step in choreographing knowledge as we launch this innovative alliance that will ignite such new pathways."

The collaboration has already yielded several results that will help to support the universities' students. Institutions are presently working to establish multiple opportunities including a new model for occupational therapy, a pathway for pre-physician assistant students and a global study-away opportunity in Nursing.

"Unity is our most prophetic strength, as we come together as one, seeking to find the right path forward to become an educational constellation that cultivates the development of the whole person," said Vice President of Mission and Ministry Sr. Walter Maher, CCVI. "I ask that together we call the Spirit of God to come upon us as we move forward in unity, with trust and firmly rooted in a shared vision."

To commemorate this ambitious project, UIW President Thomas M. Evans, PhD was joined by Dominican University President Glena G. Temple, PhD, President of the University of Mount Saint Vincent Susan R. Burns, PhD and President of Universidad del Sagrado Corazón Gilberto J. Marxuach Torrós, JD, to sign the CHARISM charter.

Dr. Evans along with the other presidents explained how CHARISM came into fruition. What began as an idea sparked at higher education leadership conferences led to collaborative conversations amongst leadership. The result of these catalyst interactions was CHARISM. Each president expressed their hopes and gratitude for this agreement as they proudly prepared to officially sign the charter.

"I like to think that we will serve as a model for greater collaboration," shared Dr. Evans. "While each of our institutions has numerous distinct opportunities for our students in working together, we're finding dynamic intersections where our academic work can meet … I'm truly proud to embark on this new journey with my colleagues here today, with all those whose efforts helped bring this new alliance to life, and the many more whom it will serve."

Members of the Incarnate Word community in San Antonio were joined via live stream by Cardinals from UIW Campus Bajío and Centro Universitario Incarnate Word, as well as by partner institution communities in Chicago, New York City, San Juan and more. No matter where attendees were located in the world, all were unified in sense of hope, ambition and innovation as they stepped collectively into this new chapter.

Also in attendance was Archbishop Gustavo García-Siller of the Archdiocese of San Antonio, who offered a closing blessing. He prayerfully asked God to watch over and guide the four universities as they form this inspiring new alliance. He acknowledged that through this agreement, the institutions have dedicated themselves towards accompanying students as they develop into individuals that will help to better serve all of God's children found within society.

"Bless this constellation of institutions committed to forming hearts, shaping minds and serving your people with faith, creativity and compassion," he said.