St. John's University, New York
PAE-2: Strategic Plan

Growth and interest in sustainability / the environment are expected to accelerate, with related responsibilities for St. John’s in various operational areas including carbon footprint reduction; opportunities to transform curricula in related areas such as global studies, ecology, environmental studies and ethics; and student activism, demand for and anticipated activities in various courses and disciplines.

The newly established Vincentian Institute for Social Action (V.I.S.A.) will bring together inter-disciplinary faculty, student scholars and strategic service partners with the goal of leveraging the intellectual capital of the university to implement solutions to poverty and social justice. It will focus on specific issues affecting the poor, including hunger, homelessness, health and education. VISA is designed to build on a long tradition at St. John’s of engaging with the church and local community to serve those in need. VISA will build on this rich tradition by introducing a four-year formation program designed to unite faculty, students and service partners in fieldbased research and longer term projects with measurable results to both those serving and those being served. The objective is to unite our unique resources in a manner that produces “action with impact” for those less fortunate.

"As an institution of higher education created, sustained and energized by its Catholic and Vincentian heritage, St. John’s University seeks to ensure that the values of Catholic Social Teaching and the spirit of St. Vincent continue to permeate and animate all aspects of the educational experience of its students. Active concern and care for the materially poor are central to the distinctiveness of the St. John’s academic experience. The overarching goal is to provide our students with the skills to become leaders in the quest to foster global harmony and peace and to mitigate poverty and social injustice in the world community." "The University’s continuing commitment to providing sufficient financial aid based on academic ability and economic need has allowed us to continue to enhance the academic profile of our students and fulfill our mission of providing access to thematerially poor."