Archive Posts
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Madam President: Ilham Mohamud Leads St. Thomas Undergraduates With Purpose
Humans of St. ThomasWhen Ilham Mohamud was elected president of the Undergraduate Student Government in spring 2025, the moment marked far more than a historic first for the University of St. Thomas. As the university’s first Black Muslim woman to hold the office, Mohamud’s leadership had begun long before her name appeared on a ballot. The senior from…
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The Innovator’s Mindset: Dr. Kundan Nepal and the Future of Engineering
Humans of St. ThomasSchool of Engineering Professor Kundan Nepal sits in the data visualization studio by a 32-foot curved LCD panel that displays 3-D graphics. His students at the University of St. Thomas don goggles to immerse themselves with interactive images, examining engineering structures as if they were right in front of them. Dr. Nepal said watching students… -
Reimagining Schools for Teacher Flourishing: Q&A with Dean Amy Smith
Health & EducationUnder the leadership of Dr. Amy F. Smith, dean of the School of Education at the University of St. Thomas, the school is deepening community partnerships, strengthening educator preparation, and rethinking how K-12 schools can be designed to better support both teachers and students. Smith looks to one question posed by the Next Education Workforce at… -
A New Kind of Coffee on Campus, and the Student Behind It
People & CultureGeorge Dannecker '28 didn't come to the University of St. Thomas looking for a business opportunity. He had already found one at the finish line of a trail race on the east coast. Now, the sophomore marketing and entrepreneurship major is bringing that discovery to campus, proving that entrepreneurial thinking can thrive anywhere, even 1,500… -
From Scholarship to Global Impact: Alumna's Education Travels Far
People & CultureAs Caitlyn Gomez Schaeffer ’11, a proud University of St. Thomas alumna, reflects on her transformative years at St. Thomas, she credits the university for being the foundation of her life and career trajectory. Gomez chose St. Thomas because it offered her the opportunity to move away from home and challenge herself in ways that… -
Professor Puts People at the Center of Data
Humans of St. ThomasData is everywhere. Most people might picture a computer screen and a dense spreadsheet. Amelia McNamara goes beyond that, however. She partnered with the local Lumen Christi Catholic Community on a project that showed her students the real-world applications of data science. The parish specifically wanted to map the mental health needs of its members… -
Leading to HEAL: Where Service Meets Healthcare
Center for the Common GoodFor Haley Moore ’26, a biology major and pre-med student at the University of St. Thomas, advancing the common good doesn’t wait for a medical degree. As a student leader for the HEAL (Health, Advocacy, Education, and Lifestyle) Volunteer Program through the Center for the Common Good, Moore coordinates American Red Cross blood drives on campus and also connects students with meaningful opportunities to give… -
Paola Ehrmantraut Named Vice Provost for Academic Affairs at St. Thomas
Professional NotesDr. Paola Ehrmantraut has been appointed as Vice Provost for Academic Affairs at the University of St. Thomas, effective Jan. 1, 2026. Ehrmantraut currently serves as Endowed Chair in the Humanities, director of the MA in Diversity Leadership, and associate professor of Spanish. She brings to this role a distinguished record of academic leadership, curricular… -
St. Thomas Hosts Fireside Chat With St. Paul Mayor-Elect
Humans of St. ThomasWhen St. Paul Mayor-Elect Kaohly Vang Her sat down with University of St. Thomas President Rob Vischer for a recent fireside chat, the conversation touched on the role education has played in her life. For Her, a current doctoral student in educational leadership at St. Thomas, higher education has been both a personal lifeline and… -
Meet the 2026 Tommie Award Finalists
Humans of St. ThomasA new academic year at the University of St. Thomas means new Tommie Award nominees. Nominees are seniors selected by St. Thomas faculty, students and staff who they believe represent the ideals of St. Thomas Aquinas. The nominees must have passions for leadership, scholarship, and participation on campus. Out of 43 nominees, the three finalists…