Archive Posts
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DFC Associate Dean Advises Scholars to Be 'Themselves, Unapologetically'
St. Thomas 2025 - Expand Pathways through the Dougherty Family CollegeA majority of the scholars at Dougherty Family College, a two-year college at the University of St. Thomas, identify as students of color or first-generation Americans. Brad Pulles, the associate dean of students, can relate to them because his background is similar. Pulles, who was born in Bogotá, Colombia, grew up in Minnesota and attended…
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HOLA Vice President Helps Latinx Students Acclimate to St. Thomas Campus
Diversity, Equity and InclusionWhen high school counselors asked César Osvaldo Mendez-Portillo if he planned to go to college, he said no. “I struggled with English and wasn’t ready to be in college,” said Mendez, who had attended LEAP, an alternative high school for new immigrants where the focus was on teaching students English and helping them to merge… -
Dr. Buffy Smith Discusses 'Belonging and Inclusion' With Higher Education Panel
Professional NotesDr. Buffy Smith, interim dean of the Dougherty Family College at the University of St. Thomas in Minnesota, recently participated in a national panel discussion called "Designed With Inclusion in Mind: Belonging in Higher Education." She stated, "I am encouraged that due to the demographic shifts in trends in higher ed that we're finding more… -
DFC Associate Dean Sees Self Reflected in Scholars
St. Thomas 2025 - Expand Pathways through the Dougherty Family CollegeDougherty Family College, a two-year college at the University of St. Thomas, offers an associate degree designed to propel students toward success and provide a smooth transition to a four-year institution of higher learning. For Dr. Janine Sanders Jones, the interim associate dean for academics at DFC, her transition was sort of the other way… -
Humans of St. Thomas: Chief Accessibility Officer for Start-up
Humans of St. ThomasLisan Hasnain ’21 AA, '23 came into Dougherty Family College thinking it was going to be a typical two-year community college. But he “underestimated it a little bit.” After a few leadership roles at the associate degree college and writing “one of the hardest essays” he’s written, he was one of several recipients of the… -
Humans of St. Thomas: DFC Math Professor Is a Professional Dancer
Humans of St. ThomasIn the classroom, Dougherty Family College Math 101 Professor Joel Gallegos uses his love for dance to foster an environment that uplifts creativity and movement. Outside of the classroom, Gallegos is an avid, multi-style dancer in the Twin Cities. He earned his master’s degree in mathematics at San Francisco State University and taught at the… -
How Dougherty Family College Support of Scholars Equals Success
In the NewsDr. Buffy Smith, interim dean of Dougherty Family College, spoke with the Longfellow-Nokomis Messenger about how the supports the college provides its students, coupled with the one-on-one mentoring and high expectations the faculty has for the scholars, will help them reach their fullest potential. From the article: "At DFC, we encourage scholars to ask a… -
In the News: Dougherty Family College Is Providing Lower Tuition to Minority Students
Anti-racism effortsBuffy Smith, interim dean of the Dougherty Family College at the University of St. Thomas, was interviewed on WCCO Radio's "The Sheletta Show." Highlighting how the college offers an associate degree designed to propel students towards success and provide a smooth transition to a four-year college, Smith explained how DFC's structure and support helps provide… -
Humans of St. Thomas: Faith Guides First DFC Student Body President
Faith and MissionAs a Muslim American, Mesum Haider ’19 AA, '22 said he felt overlooked academically, personally and socially at his suburban public high school that was more than 90% white. He had a very different experience once he stepped through the doors of Dougherty Family College (DFC) in 2017. There, where the student population was majority… -
DFC Scholars Learn Why Black Voters Matter
St. Thomas 2025 - Expand Pathways through the Dougherty Family CollegeLaTosha Brown is an advocate for people of color and their right to vote. As a national leader and co-founder of Black Voters Matter, she tours the country asking people to envision an America without racism. “A new America, a more inclusive, a more just, a more equitable America.” During a recent stop in Minneapolis,…