A sculpture of Saint Ignatius Loyola from Fairfield University's "In His Image"
Mission & Identity
The distinctiveness of a Jesuit education stems from its deep-rooted history and a mission grounded in faith and intellectual rigor. Since its beginnings in 1548 when the first Jesuit institution opened its doors in Messina, Sicily, Jesuit higher education remains committed to expansive and critical thinking, to service, to leadership and to care for the whole person.

HISTORY
Learn more about Saint Ignatius Loyola, the Society of Jesus, and the Jesuits' focus on education.
EDUCATION
Grounded in an almost 500-year tradition, Jesuit colleges and universities have been educating students for centuries. Learn more about Jesuit educational philosophy and its commitment to cura personalis, "care of the whole person"—mind, body and spirit.
SPIRITUALITY
Ignatian Spirituality is a way to pray, an approach to making decisions, a point of view about God, and a practical guide to everyday life. Find resources on Ignatian Spirituality here.
VALUES
What makes the mission of Jesuit education distinctive? Jesuit colleges and universities are committed to the principles of academic excellence, service and a "faith that does justice." Learn more about the values of Jesuit education here.
Recently Published Items

Some Characteristics of Jesuit Colleges and Universities: A Self-Evaluation Instrument

This document is intended to be used by Jesuit universities and colleges in the United States as a tool for self-improvement, particularly with regard totheir fulfillment of their Jesuit and Catholic identity. While this document focuses on the Catholic and Jesuit identity of our schools, it needs to be used in the context of the presupposition that an institution cannot be an excellent Catholic and Jesuit university unless it fulfills its mission to be an excellent university within the American academy, and therefore values highly academic freedom and peer review. With that as a starting point, the document lists seven characteristics appropriate to Jesuit institutions and gives examples of ways in which each characteristic might be observed in concrete terms.



Resources for Mission & Identity Officers

Welcome
A place for Mission and Identity Officers to locate and share documents, policies and other materials that pertain to their mission work, in a password-protected environment.

Quote of the week

"Immersion experiences can open eyes, destroy prejudice, and change lives. I have watched countless students return from developing countries as changed persons, with renewed hearts eager to live as men or woman for others."
Rev. Stephen A. Privett, S.J., President of the University of San Francisco, commenting on the power of immersion experiences


Meet the AJCU President
On April 1, 2013, Rev. Michael J. Sheeran became president of the Association of Jesu...
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Federal Relations


AJCU Federal Relations Network is the lobbying arm of the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities and comprised of at least one representative from each one of the twenty-eight Jesuit Colleges and Universities. The Network is kept up to date on an on-going basis by the Vice President for Federal Relations on all issues relating to Appropriations, budget, higher education authorization issues and taxes. The Network meets annually in September for a Legislative Conference and also participates in the Annual Committee for Education Funding Legislative Conference and Awards Dinner.
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AJCU Conferences


The 35+ Conferences sponsored by the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities (AJCU) are affinity groups within the AJCU Network. The Conferences provide a forum for the exchange of ideas, information and best practices; support the professional development of their members; and present opportunities for AJCU representatives to discuss opportunities and challenges in Jesuit higher education. Most of the AJCU Conference groups meet in person at least once a year, and many of them communicate regularly through an AJCU listserv.
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International Outreach


The member institutions of the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities (AJCU) are committed to developing programs and partnerships that advance international education and support initiatives that advance global citizenship.
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