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As an institution Catholic in faith and tradition, we commit ourselves to creating an inclusive environment where persons of all faiths and no faith are welcomed.

Mission Statement

Mount St. Joseph University is a Catholic academic community grounded in the spiritual values and vision of its founders, the Sisters of Charity. The University educates its students through interdisciplinary liberal arts, and professional curricula emphasizing values, integrity, and social responsibility. 

Members of the MSJ Community embrace:

  • Excellence in academic endeavors
  • The integration of life and learning
  • Respect and concern for all persons
  • Diversity of cultures and beliefs
  • Service to others.

Faith & Wisdom

Catholic Identity Statement

The Catholic Identity of the University is rooted in our Mission, in the Gospel values of service, compassion, and charity, and in the legacy and vision of our founders the Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati. As an institution Catholic in faith and tradition, we commit ourselves to creating an inclusive environment where persons of all faiths and no faith are welcomed. We expect and value mutual respect, by all and for all, in our pursuit of knowledge and truth and in our search for the sacred.

Our Heritage

The mission of Mount St. Joseph University has its roots in the founding values of the Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati. The legacy of the Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati is steeped in more than 200 years of daring to risk a caring response through the education and empowerment of an immigrant nation dating back to St. Elizabeth Ann Seton’s ministry of education and service.

The University mission urges us forward as faculty and staff to educate, guide, and serve the needs of our students. We hope to empower them to discover and develop their gifts and talents, challenge them and encourage them to grow toward their full potential. The elements of the mission are our guiding principles.

Commitment to Service

The Service Learning & Civic Engagement Office at Mount St. Joseph University provides a comprehensive array of engaged experiences that help students to be prepared to lead in the workplace and in the community. We also have student scholarship programs and learning communities.

Visit the Service Learning page to learn more.

Community Engagement

The Mount regularly connects with students and community leaders across Greater Cincinnati, as well as community service organizations. The Mount would be happy to visit your school. To connect with Joe Shadle, please email him at Joe.Shadle@msj.edu.

Mount St. Joseph University's Historic Mater Dei Chapel

Visit our Mater Dei Chapel page here to learn about its rich history and offerings.

Our Catholic Heritage

  Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati Heritage and Values
Mount St. Joseph University continues to be inspired by and faithful to the heritage and values of our founders, the Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati, which include:
  • Doing justice
  • Sharing resources for the liberation of the oppressed
  • Commitment to the healing of our global home
  • Embracing cultural expansion
  • Learning from and being in solidarity with the poor
  • Being prophetic in church and society
  • Risking a caring response.

Sisters of Charity Mission, Vision and Charism statements: www.srcharitycinti.org/about/mission.html

  Seven Themes of Catholic Social Teaching

Seven Themes of Catholic Social Teaching:

  • Life and dignity of the human person
  • Call to family, community, and participation in society
  • Rights and responsibilities for the common good
  • Care for the poor and vulnerable
  • Dignity of work and the rights of workers
  • Solidarity in the pursuit of justice and peace
  • Care for and stewardship of creation.

 

  Six principles of the Catholic Intellectual Tradition

Six principles of the Catholic Intellectual Tradition:

  • Complementarily of faith and reason
  • Value in the study of all disciplines as a way of knowing God
  • Respect for the cumulative wisdom of those who have come before us
  • Integration of knowledge and education of the whole person
  • Attention to the dignity of all humanity
  • Cultivation of inclusiveness and diversity.
https://www.accunet.org/About-CatholicHigher-Ed-Catholic-Intellectual-Tradition

History of Presidents

  View History of our University Presidents below:

 

Dr. H. James Williams

 

Sister Maria Corona, SC

Mother Generals of the Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati served ex officio as president of the College of Mount St. Joseph from 1920 to 1959, when the separate Office of the President was established. Sister of Charity Maria Corona Molloy, who was dean since 1933, was named the first president in 1959 and served until 1967. She led the College’s growth and oversaw the building of the new campus, which opened in 1962.


Sister Adele Clifford, SC

Our second president was Sister of Charity Adele Clifford, a professor of biology, who led the College from 1967 until 1972. At that time, the Sisters of Charity separately incorporated the College of Mount St. Joseph under a board of trustees and retained the role of sponsor.


Robert Wolverton

Robert Wolverton was named the Mount’s third president in 1972 and he served until 1977. He was the first lay president of the College.


Sister Jean Patrice Harrington, SC

Sister of Charity Jean Patrice Harrington was appointed the College’s fourth president, from 1977 to 1987. She directed the College’s expansion into adult and graduate education.


Sister Francis Marie Thrailkill, OSU

In 1987, Sister Francis Marie Thrailkill, a member of the Ursulines of the Roman Union, became the Mount's fifth president. She retired in June 2008 after 20 years. She led the College’s transformation into a fully coeducational institution; expanded student services and the intercollegiate athletics program from 4 to 21 sports; strengthened the curriculum and oversaw the largest campus expansion.


Dr. Anthony Aretz

Anthony Aretz, Ph. D., was appointed the sixth president of the Mount and its second lay leader serving from 2008 to 2015. Dr. Aretz led the change in designation from college to university status which broadened the educational experiences and opportunities at the Mount.