I hope everyone had a relaxing and enjoyable semester break. It was energizing to welcome our students back to campus last week for the start of the spring semester.
Catherine and I hosted the Liturgical Choir at dinner last week to thank them for singing so beautifully at my inauguration last April. I appreciate how they share their vocal and musical talents so generously and help enhance our campus worship experiences.
There is quite a lot of good news to start the new year, highlighted by the notification from the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching that our application for the prestigious 2026 Carnegie Community Engagement Classification has been accepted. We are one of only 237 U.S. colleges and universities to receive this elective designation.
Reviewers noted that our application “documented excellent alignment among campus mission, culture, leadership, resources, and practices that support dynamic and noteworthy community engagement.”
This recognition affirms our unique duty to the world around us and the university’s commitment to meaningful partnerships that enrich student learning, advance knowledge and benefit communities. I am proud that our students, faculty and staff collaborate with our partners to address challenges that affect our city and our world.
Earning the reclassification is a priority of the 2031 Strategic Plan: Guided by Mission, Inspired to Change. We now have a framework to assess and benchmark the vast array of community engagement activities our students, faculty and staff participate in.
Thanks to Kelsey Otero, senior director of community engagement, who led the team of faculty and staff who prepared our application and led a rigorous self-study and review process.
Continuing dialogue with community leaders
The new year also means a new round of conversations with community leaders to share key campus updates and explore expanding strategic partnerships. Visit Milwaukee’s Peggy Williams-Smith and Milwaukee restaurateur and developer Omar Shaikh were instrumental in facilitating the first discussion of 2026.
I also met with leaders of Near West Side Partners’ anchor institutions and reaffirmed the university’s commitment to the partnership that was formed in 2014. It’s exciting to see the power of partnership in action, especially among such powerhouses as Aurora Health Care, Harley-Davidson, Molson Coors and Potawatomi Ventures. I also am grateful for the opportunities NWSP creates for the many students, faculty and staff who make a meaningful difference in our neighborhood.
Celebrating the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Marquette was well represented at the YMCA of Metropolitan Milwaukee’s annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration earlier this week. Representatives and leaders of educational institutions, civic organizations, the business community and elected officials came together to honor King’s life and legacy.
Within our campus community, Steve Robertson, associate director of pre-college programs and the Educational Opportunity Program, shared a thought-provoking Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day reflection. I appreciated Steve’s reminder of King’s question, “What are we doing for others?” because it aligns so well with our Jesuit value of service.
AJCU’s #JesuitEducated campaign kicks off
The Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities has launched a national campaign that touts the values and benefits of Jesuit higher education. A new website — jesuiteducated.com — details the benefits and outcomes of Jesuit education and shares testimonials from member institutions’ alumni in the United States, Belize and Canada. Here’s a #JesuitEducated fact: More than 2 million people worldwide are alumni of U.S. Jesuit colleges and universities. I encourage you to visit the website and share it in your personal and professional networks.
Author of “Dream School: Finding the College That’s Right for You” to visit campus Feb. 11
I’m looking forward to the Feb. 11 campus visit of New York Times best-selling author Jeff Selingo, who will discuss his most recent book, “Dream School: Finding the College That’s Right for You.” Marquette was one of 75 schools featured in Selingo’s book, which is based on two years of research and more than 3,000 family surveys.
Selingo, who has written about higher education for more than 25 years and works at Arizona State University, will also address what differentiates Marquette and how we can connect with prospective students and their families. Brian Troyer, vice president for enrollment management, will moderate the discussion and Q&A session in the Weasler Auditorium from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Young adults find Milwaukee an appealing locale
Milwaukee was ranked the fourth best city for young adults to move to, based on job market, monthly rent and social life, according to a study conducted by the entertainment platform JB.com and reported by Travel + Leisure magazine. We share this type of news with prospective students and their families and hope that one more factor in Marquette’s “pro” column will work in our favor as they decide which university is the best fit.
December episode of WTMJ’s The Upswing: Rev. Joe Simmons, S.J., and Rabbi Levi Stein
I enjoyed a fascinating discussion with Rev. Joe Simmons, S.J., assistant professor of theology, and Rabbi Levi Stein, president and CEO of The Friendship Circle of Wisconsin, on The Upswing podcast with alumnus Jeff Sherman, Bus Ad ’91. We talked about how our faith helps build resilience, how we create connections to build community, and our favorite holiday traditions. You can listen to our conversation here.
Strengthening connection with Children’s Wisconsin
I was honored to accept an invitation to join the Children’s Wisconsin board of directors. As the state’s only health system entirely dedicated to the health and well-being of kids and teenagers, Children’s Wisconsin is focused on ensuring our young people are the nation’s healthiest. Marquette has had a long relationship with Children’s and collaborated on many initiatives, including the Rally Round event last fall, that have benefited so many in our community. Serving as a board member will provide me with important insight into health care workforce trends that can have an impact on our current and future students.
Marquette students at the Vatican
It’s not every day that our university gets a thumbs up and “Go Marquette” from the Holy Father, but that’s exactly what happened on Jan. 7. Rev. Michael Maher, S.J., and student members of the Marquette Knights of Columbus Council 6883 were on pilgrimage to mark the end of the Jubilee Year. At the conclusion of his general audience in the Vatican, Pope Leo XIV greeted those gathered, including the Marquette group (and other college students) who captured the moment with this terrific photo.
Thank you for all you do for our students, each other and Marquette University. I look forward to seeing you on campus throughout the course of the semester.
We Are Marquette!
Dr. Kimo Ah Yun
President
