CHARISM

Catholic Higher Education Alliance of Rising Institutions in Service and Mission

Partners in Reimagining the Future of Catholic Education

CHARISM brings together leading Catholic, Hispanic-Serving and Minority-Serving institutions located in major metropolitan areas to develop high-impact student experiences, new education pathways, faculty collaboration, joint research, cross-registration opportunities and shared co-curricular initiatives.

CHARISM unites institutions across geographies, cultures, and languages to expand opportunities for students, amplify Catholic identity, and serve as a national model for educating concerned and enlightened citizens of the global community.

The Universities

University of the Incarnate Word

Since our founding in 1881 by the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word, the University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio has paved ways for students to experience transformational Catholic education. UIW was the first institution to offer higher education for women in central and south Texas and now continues to forge new roads for every student to reach their full potential and create positive change in the modern world.

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Universidad del Sagrado Corazón

Founded in 1935 by the Society of the Sacred Heart, the Universidad del Sagrado Corazón is part of Puerto Rico’s oldest continuous educational mission. It is Puerto Rico’s first liberal arts college. Sagrado’s mission is to educate persons willing to participate in the construction of a more authentically Christian society, a community of solidarity, justice and peace. Sagrado is located in a 34-acre green campus in San Juan and serves over 5,300 students.

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University of Mount Saint Vincent

Founded in 1847 by the Sisters of Charity, the University of Mount Saint Vincent offers a nationally recognized liberal arts education and an array of professional fields of study. Committed to educating the whole person, and enriched by the unparalleled cultural, educational, and career opportunities of NYC, UMSV equips students with the knowledge, skills, and experiences necessary for lives of achievement, accomplishment, and leadership in the 21st century.

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Dominican University

Founded in 1901, Dominican University is a comprehensive, coeducational Catholic institution with campuses in River Forest and Chicago, Illinois. As Chicago's premier Catholic Hispanic-Serving Institution, Dominican is consistently recognized as a leader in academic excellence and value. U.S. News & World Report ranks Dominican University in the top 25 of Midwest regional master’s level universities, and #1 in Illinois for Best Value and ensuring the social mobility of its graduates.

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Academic Opportunities

Diploma

A New Model for Occupational Therapy

Faculty at Dominican and UIW are exploring the potential of a satellite campus at Dominican, led by UIW San Antonio faculty. The initial framework includes a bilingual core curriculum and a focus on faith-based clinical experiences.

student

A Pathway for Pre-Physician Assistant Students

Students pursuing further preparation for careers as Physician Assistants (PA) at UIW and partner institutions would take part in a shared PA career readiness course that encompasses an online didactic component, robust portfolio development, and a summer immersion experience at the PA facilities at Dominican or Mount Saint Vincent.

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A Global Study-Away Opportunity in Nursing

To support Nursing students’ bilingual development and Mission-integrated clinical formation, a joint immersion experience to Puerto Rico, Guatemala or the U.S.-Mexico border is under development.

CHARISM News

UIW’s Global Leadership in the Spotlight at HACU’s International Conference

May 15, 2026

Strategic partnerships, innovative ideas and emerging trends were the focus of the recent 15th Biennial International Conference from the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities, or HACU. This year’s theme was “Bridging Nations to Advance Higher Education” and brought together students and leaders in higher education from across the country to share their perspectives on teaching and learning around the world.

Embracing the Catholic Imagination: UIW Hosts Inaugural Lilly Artful Worship/CHARISM Speaker Series Presentation

March 27, 2026

On Monday, Dec. 8, 2025, the launch of CHARISM: Catholic Higher Education Alliance of Rising Institutions in Service and Mission, was announced. It is in that spirit of collaboration that on Monday, March 23, 2026, the inaugural Lilly Artful Worship/CHARISM Speaker Series presented “The Glass Slipper and the Cross: A Catholic Reading of Cinderella,” a presentation that analyzed how the classic fairytale Cinderella reflects Christ’s biblical qualities including sacrifice, humility and grace.

New Maps of Hope

February 4, 2026

In a time of profound change for higher education, the University of the Incarnate Word (UIW) is leading a transformational movement that reimagines how to educate and inspire students. The Catholic Higher Education Alliance of Rising Institutions in Service and Mission — CHARISM — brings together four mission-aligned institutions: UIW, Dominican University, Universidad del Sagrado Corazón and University of Mount Saint Vincent. By connecting across languages, cultures and geographies, we jointly aspire to expand opportunities for students, amplify Catholic identity and model collaboration.

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A Bold New Alliance

A Message from President Evans

UIW President Dr. Thomas M. Evans announces the formation of CHARISM, a collaborative alliance with three other Catholic, Hispanic-Serving institutions aimed at expanding high-impact student experiences, educational pathways, and professional opportunities.