Marquette University - Office of Mission and Identity

Welcome to the community of faith, learning and action that is Marquette University, and to the web site of the Office of Mission and Identity! We hope you will be a regular visitor for spiritual reflection, exploring Jesuit education, collaborating with colleagues on mission-related projects, and sharing insights and best practices from your own experience as an Ignatian educator, whether you are a faculty member, staff person or administrator.

At Marquette we often refer to our commitments to cura personalis and cura apostolica. This means we take seriously care and respect for each person in body, mind and spirit, and, while doing so, uphold the university's commitment to the wider world. This commitment to the dignity of every human person, within the university and without, finds its root in Marquette's Catholic identity. As the author of the Letter to the Ephesians notes so beautifully, "We are God's work of art, created in Christ Jesus to live the good life as from the beginning he had meant us to live it.” Indeed we are God's valued works of art, and, therefore, the Office of Mission and Identity exists to support every member of the Marquette community in pursuing his or her own spiritual journey and integrating our common work with the underlying purpose and values that animate the university.

Who We Are
By promoting opportunities for reflection, attentiveness and action, the Office encourages faculty, and staff of every faith to see their work as part of a larger effort to serve the common good and explore the various ways in which faith and justice are at the very heart of a Marquette’s education. The Office of Mission and Identity works in partnership with the Faber Center for Ignatian Spirituality, the Manresa Project and Campus Ministry, and maintains an ongoing dialogue with key university office (Office of the Provost, Office of the Senior Vice President, College Offices, Division of Student Affairs, Human Resources and the like) in order to support their efforts in the area of mission integration and mission leadership. Our work is highly collaborative, since every office and effort on campus plays a part in realizing Marquette’s Mission.

The Office of Mission and Identity is staffed by Stephanie Russell (Executive Director) Rev. Douglas Leo nhardt, S.J. (Associate Director) and Brigid Alba (Office Associate). We work in collaboration with the rest of the Mission and Identity team, and all members of the Marquette University community, to assure that Marquette's commitment to faith, excellence, leadership and service is alive in every aspect of university life.

Introduces new members of the Marquette community to the spiritual culture, values and heritage of the University;
Supports faculty, staff, administrators, students, alumni/ae and trustees in their professional and personal exploration of (1) Marquette's mission, (2) faith and intellectual life, (3) Jesuit higher education, (4) Ignatian spirituality, and (4) social justice.
Offers individual and group opportunities for reflection, formation, and discussion about the integration of mission with one's daily life and work;
Facilitates conversation on Catholic intellectual life and Jesuit pedagogy through seminars, workshos, programs and grants.
Promotes, with others, the creation of a learning community, rooted in the University's four values of Excellence, Faith, Leadership and Service.

Our History
The Office of Mission and Identity was established in 1998 under the direction of Rev. Daniel McDonald, S.J. In 2001, Stephanie Russell succeeded Fr. McDonald as executive director, which has since expanded to include an Associate Director, Fr. Doug Leonhardt, S.J., and a full-time Office Associate, Ms. Laura Krenz. The Office also maintains oversight of Campus Ministry, the Faber Center for Ignatian Spirituality, and the Manresa Project, each of which is a component of mission and identity at Marquette.

Because our work involves people in every area of the university, the Office of Mission and Identity is advised by a Mission Council, the members of which provide insight and guidance for our efforts. The office reports directly to the President, who is the principle spokesperson for Marquette's mission and identity.

We welcome your participation in the educational Mission of Marquette University, as we strive together toward a more just and loving world.