Archive Posts
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Sights and Sounds: DFC 2026 Commencement
University NewsFor many graduates of the 2026 Dougherty Family College at the University of St. Thomas, commencement represented more than the completion of an associate degree. It represented persistence, confidence and Ohana - family. “We didn’t get here by having everything figured out,” student speaker Mai Vang AA '26 told his classmates during the ceremony, which…
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15 DFC Graduates Earn Full-Ride Scholarships to Continue at St. Thomas
Diversity, Equity and InclusionFifteen graduates of the Dougherty Family College at the University of St. Thomas have been awarded the DFC Excellence Scholarship, a full-tuition award that allows them to continue directly into bachelor’s degree programs at St. Thomas. “Being selected as a DFC Excellence Scholar is truly meaningful to me,” said Daniel Akinola. “This scholarship not only… -
Maxfield Internship Program Provides Hands-On Experience for Future Educators
People & CultureFor the past three years, Maxfield Elementary has partnered with Dougherty Family College at the University of St. Thomas to host student interns, providing them with valuable in-classroom experience and firsthand exposure to careers in education. Through the Maxfield internship program, scholars work directly with young learners while developing the skills and confidence needed to… -
In the News: Buffy Smith on Student Success in Higher Education
In the NewsBuffy Smith, dean of Dougherty Family College at the University of St. Thomas, spoke with University Business about the Dougherty Family College approach to helping first-generation and underserved students succeed in higher education. Smith emphasized that colleges must provide both academic and social support systems to help students thrive throughout their educational journey. From the… -
DFC’s First Alums Reflect on Finding Belonging
University NewsAlum Mesum Haider ’19 AA, ’22 wasn’t searching for Dougherty Family College. But once he heard about it, he knew it was the right college for him. “At Dougherty, it wasn’t about being tolerated,” he said. “It was about being embraced.” Before arriving on campus, Haider had spent his K-12 years feeling out of place… -
In the News: Buffy Smith on Keeping College Within Reach
In the NewsBuffy Smith, dean of Dougherty Family College at the University of St. Thomas, spoke with Sheletta Brundidge and Vineeta Sawkar at WCCO Radio about rising tuition costs and the barriers they create for many families. Smith emphasized Dougherty Family College’s commitment to affordability and the importance of keeping higher education accessible, particularly for first-generation and… -
In the News: Buffy Smith on Mentorship and Student Support
In the NewsBuffy Smith, dean of Dougherty Family College at the University of St. Thomas, spoke with Native Roots Radio about how the college supports first-generation students through mentorship, community building and wraparound resources. Smith highlighted the college’s focus on removing structural barriers to higher education while creating a strong sense of belonging and academic support for… -
DFC Faculty Profile: A Mission Toward Social Justice
People & CulturePortraits displayed on the walls of Dr. Tanden Brekke’s office show his family and civil rights activists, including Dolores Huerta, Ella Baker, Gandhi, Fannie Lou Hamer, Howard Thurman, Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X. “They’re all people who did really, really powerful things, believed in themselves, believed in the people around them, understood the… -
In the News: Heather Isernhagen on STEM at Dougherty Family College
In the NewsHeather Isernhagen, math specialist at Dougherty Family College, a two-year college at the University of St. Thomas, was recently interviewed for an article on the WCCO Radio website. Isernhagen highlighted how science, technology, engineering, and mathematics are implemented into courses at DFC, expanding beyond the liberal arts degree pathway. From the article: For several years,… -
Rethinking Resilience: Insights from St. Thomas’ Health Equity Series
University NewsBefore finishing her dissertation for her Doctor of Education at the University of St. Thomas, Katia Colon-LaCroix used the “control find” feature to search and delete the word “resilience” entirely from her research paper, which examines the measures of success for and by first-generation college students of color. “I didn't do that because I don't…