Following the University of St. ThomasHouston’s unveiling of the “Greater Things 2030” Strategic Vision, the only Catholic university in the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston now prepares to enhance its relationships within the Catholic community through the new “Get to Know UST” campaign.

The initiative will shine a spotlight on UST throughout the Archdiocese. Board members, students, faculty, staff, alumni, and parents are coming together to share the mission that UST is here to serve the community. The campaign’s leadership team is actively seeking additional UST-connected volunteers to join the effort and to help at their respective parishes.

“This campaign allows us to enhance awareness about who we are, what we have to offer, and where we are located – right in the heart of Houston!” said Dr. Carla E. Alsandor, senior director of UST’s micro-campus USTMAX Center, who is spearheading the parish outreach effort. “We welcome volunteers who want to help us share our story at their parish.” 

UST Wants to Engage Parish Communities

UST is a university that serves the community. In addition, as the campus is thriving with the highest enrollment numbers St. Thomas has ever seen, UST leadership sees an opportunity to develop a more vibrant presence in the area parishes. 

UST President Richard Ludwick said, “The parishes are perfect places for us to connect with Catholic families since we are all part of one, big, happy church family. We want everyone to get to know us and to think of UST as ‘their’ Catholic university.” 

According to Ludwick, the initiative will open the door for further collaboration between local parishes and UST.

Seeking UST-Connected Volunteers

With 146 parishes and more than 1.7 million Catholics in the region, the awareness-building campaign emphasizes UST’s status as the Archdiocese’s only Catholic university, located right in the heart of Houston. Volunteers will be coached with a personalized pulpit announcement that highlights their passion for UST, the school’s core values and an invitation to connect with the UST community through events, e-newsletters, Mass in the Chapel of St. Basil, tours and other special occasions. The volunteer team will also staff information tables after Mass during the “Get to Know UST” weekend at their parish , sharing valuable information such as the UST Parish Scholarship program. 

 Learn more about the Parish Scholarship Program

Eligible students are invited to apply for a UST Parish Scholarship.  Scholarships are available for Undergraduate students who are members of Catholic parishes within the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston. Parishes have the ultimate decision as to whether they will participate or not, on an annual basis. Recipients of scholarships funds from participating parishes are eligible for a UST Parish Scholarship Match scholarship. Students must be enrolled full time and have a minimum GPA of 2.0.

Learn more about UST and volunteer to help support the “Get to Know UST” campaign.

Supporting the 2030 Vision: Catholicity

Although the initiative stands on its own, it supports the ‘Greater Things’ Strategic Vision.

• The University’s ongoing ability to mirror the city’s growth has allowed for a thriving Catholic environment over the last several years. Record-breaking fall semesters, renovations and restructures have propelled the University toward greater things as UST eyes its 2030 mark. The key objectives include
   
•  Developing as a model for Catholic education

•  Increasing local-global reach
•  Improving fiscal planning strategie
•  Offering a superior campus experience 
   

These objectives are set to fuel new Archdiocesan-wide initiatives to continue to strengthen its Catholicity.

Reflecting the core values of its founders, the Basilian Fathers, the University of St. Thomas strives for goodness, discipline and knowledge in all it does while also building and valuing community connections.

For additional information, go to www.stthom.edu/parishrelations.