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.
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.
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.
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.
CHARISM Launch Event (Streamed)
On Monday, December 8, 2025, the University of the Incarnate Word (UIW) announced CHARISM: Catholic Higher Education Alliance of Rising Institutions in Service and Mission. This historic event, which was streamed live, commemorated the bold new alliance between UIW and Dominican University, the University of Mount Saint Vincent, and the Universidad del Sagrado Corazón. The presidents and leaders from all four institutions gathered to mark the beginning of this collaboration, which will create high-impact opportunities for students and faculty.
Academic Opportunities
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.
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.
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.
Press Contact and Media Toolkit
Media Press Kit
Assets and information to support media coverage courtesy of CHARISM member institutions.
University of the Incarnate Word
Michael Valdes, Assistant Director/Media and Public Relations
Office of Communications & Brand Marketing
Department Phone: (210) 829-6001
Office Phone: (210) 422-4052
Email: michael.valdes@uiwtx.edu
Universidad del Sagrado Corazón
Sandra I. Pomales Castro, Chief Institutional Communications Officer
Phone: (787) 728-1515, ext. 5389
Email: sandrai.pomales@sagrado.edu
University of Mount Saint Vincent
Nicole Quaranto, Director for Communications
Phone: (718) 405-3746
Email: nicole.quaranto@umsv.edu
Dominican University
Stephane Kubas, Assistant Vice President
University Marketing and Brand Integration
Phone: (708) 524-6376
Email: skubas@dom.edu