Archive Posts
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In the News: Buffy Smith on 300 DFC Scholars Graduating Debt-Free
DFC NewsBuffy Smith, dean of Dougherty Family College (DFC) at the University of St. Thomas, recently spoke with WCCO about this year’s graduating class during a block party hosted by DFC. From the story: DFC offers a two-year associate degree program, enrolling predominantly minority and first-generation college students. By the time the students graduate, the goal…
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Unlocking Opportunity: 13 Dougherty Family College Students Awarded Full-Tuition Scholarships to St. Thomas
St. Thomas 2025 - Expand Pathways through the Dougherty Family CollegeLayla Siferllah-Griffin knows that someday she wants to open her own business. Full of ideas and perseverance, she has the dream and drive, but finding a path to achieve that reality has not always been so clear. As she prepares to graduate with an associate degree from Dougherty Family College at the University of St.… -
In the News: Dougherty Family College Makes Higher Education Possible for Underserved Students
In the NewsDougherty Family College scholars and their dean, Buffy Smith, recently spoke with KARE 11 for a story about the unique cohort model at DFC – a two-year college at the University of St. Thomas in downtown Minneapolis – and the importance of removing barriers for students from underserved communities to help them succeed in their… -
Cultivating STEM With DFC Scholars
St. Thomas 2025 - Expand Pathways through the Dougherty Family CollegeYou could almost see the light bulbs flashing. The day’s task for scholars at the brand-new Dougherty Family College STEM Club was to create an LED light, completely from scratch. That meant picking out their own blinking bulbs, prepping battery packs and melting metal joints together with a soldering iron at a temperature of more… -
Podcast: Amir Mohamed on the Importance of Belonging
DFC NewsAmir Mohamed, communication and journalism professor at the University of St. Thomas Dougherty Family College, recently joined the “Come to Believe” podcast to discuss the importance of belonging on campus and in the classroom. Mohamed: “Culture is not just on a piece of paper. Part of what we’re doing and the culture we’re creating, and… -
Black Men Teach: Filling a Critical Gap
St. Thomas 2025 - Foster Belonging and Dismantle RacismFor University of St. Thomas elementary education major Brendon Sackey, today's math lesson was proving a unique challenge as a student teacher. His class of fourth graders at University Avenue Elementary in Blaine were supposed to be focusing on perpendicular and parallel lines. However, these young minds seemed all too aware that in a few… -
DFC Scholars Share Impact of College
St. Thomas 2025Second-year student Koko Agbobly, a Phi Theta Kappa and peer mentor to first-year students at the University of St. Thomas’ Dougherty Family College (DFC), wants to enter the medical profession but isn’t quite sure what path to take. She hopes to have a better understanding once she completes an internship at Mayo Sports Clinic that… -
In the News: Dr. Buffy Smith on Serving the Next Generation of Students
In the NewsDean of Dougherty Family College, Dr. Buffy Smith, was highlighted in a piece on the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities website about how Catholic two-year colleges are increasing accessibility in higher education for students who do not have access to obtaining an associate degree. From the article: Dougherty Family College at the University of St.… -
Building a Community of Support With the DFC Advisory Board
Diversity, Equity and InclusionOliver Phan knows firsthand the power of education. A Vietnamese refugee, Phan and his family moved to Northeast Minneapolis when he was just 8 years old. “Being a refugee, I started from the bottom,” Phan said. “You have a lot of social challenges, things that pull you back. Getting a great education will get you… -
Buffy Smith Inducted Into the Prestigious Marquis Who’s Who Biographical Registry
People & CultureDougherty Family College Dean Buffy Smith, PhD, has been inducted into Marquis Who’s Who. As in all Marquis Who’s Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of their current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.…