Celebrating Another Momentous Year of Success at ¶¥¼¶¹ú²úÊÓƵ
The 2024-2025 school year was filled with a multitude of milestone achievements and extraordinary moments that reflect the academic excellence of our exceptional students, the unwavering support of our distinguished faculty and staff, the unparalleled Blue and Gold spirit that illuminates our campus and our commitment to cultivating future leaders who are creating a more just world.
Notable Accomplishments
#5 Best in the West
St. Edward’s advanced to 5th place in the 2025 U.S. News & World Report Best Regional Universities in the West category. In addition to its ascension to the overall 5th place ranking, for the first time, St. Edward’s earned 2nd place for Undergraduate Teaching Programs in the West. This category recognizes institutions whose faculty and administrators excel in delivering exceptional methods of instruction to undergraduate students.
St. Edward’s Achieves Research University Status
St. Edward’s was newly designated as a research university by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching and the American Council on Education. The institution earned this prestigious recognition under the Research Colleges and Universities (RCU) classification for investing an average of at least $2.5 million per year in research and development opportunities.
Austin Leaders Issue a Proclamation Celebrating the 140th Anniversary of St. Edward’s
Austin Mayor Pro Tem Vanessa Fuentes issued an official declaration proclaiming February 21, 2025, as St. Edward’s 140th Anniversary Day. The proclamation celebrates the university for challenging students to address critical issues of society; encouraging students to seek justice and peace; preparing students for success in the ever-evolving workforce; and collaborating with Austin and Central Texas communities to discover solutions for pressing matters.
Texas Lawmakers Honor the New Nursing Program
The Texas House of Representatives recognized the university with a special resolution on Nurse Day at the Capitol, celebrating the launch of the first-ever Nursing program and School of Health Sciences. During the grand opening of the new school, Texas state lawmakers, Austin city leaders, local health officials and long-standing supporters of St. Edward’s came together to honor our inaugural Nursing cohort.
St. Edward's Makes History for Sustainability Efforts
St. Edward’s is the first university in Texas to earn Green Grounds recognition for campus-wide sustainability efforts. Re:wild Your Campus, an environmental nonprofit, honored the institution with Gold Level certification for its commitment to reducing the use of harmful chemicals on over 90 percent of campus grounds and fostering biodiversity.
Tree-mendous Achievements on the Hilltop
The Arbor Day Foundation named St. Edward’s as a 2024 Tree Campus for the 10th consecutive year. This accolade honors the university for utilizing trees to improve the community through tree education and creating service-learning projects that encourage engagement among students who value sustainability.
Transformative Partnerships and Gifts
St. Edward’s and ACC Launch Innovative Partnership
The ACComplish @ St. Edward’s scholarship program will create a seamless transfer experience for Austin Community College (ACC) students who plan on advancing their education on the hilltop, beginning in Fall 2025. The initiative will provide ACC transfer students substantial financial support, integrated advising and the option to live on campus to develop a sense of community and belonging, while building relationships with their peers.
Investing in Academic Innovation and Research
St. Edward’s received more than $10.3 million in funding during the past year. A significant portion of the funding, gifted to us by our new and longtime benefactors, will enrich the lives of our students through The Bill Munday School of Business, the School of Health Sciences, the Holy Cross Institute, Campus Ministry and the Wild Basin Creative Research Center.
Creating Successful Futures for First-Generation Students and CAMP Scholars
In 2024, more than $800,000 in gifts and grants from our longtime donors was designated to benefit our first-generation students and migrant scholars in the College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP) throughout their academic journey. During First-Gen Scholars Week, Hilltoppers came together at the Blue, Gold and First Breakfast to celebrate the generous gifts bestowed by The Moody Foundation, Bank of America and The Michael and Alice Kuhn Foundation — enhancing the university’s mission to expand academic opportunities for all students. Furthermore, in Spring 2025, Hilltoppers celebrated the inaugural CAMP Day at St. Edward's University — an event entirely envisioned and brought to life by our amazing CAMP scholars.
Commemorating Our Graduates
Toppers Up, Forever!
Our extraordinary Fall and Spring semesters concluded with celebrations of our graduating seniors at and . Students, faculty, staff, families and friends came together to praise more than 800 students who received their well-earned bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees.
Among our graduating class are nine distinguished Presidential Award winners who have harnessed their enriching experiences to pave the way for success for their peers, influence positive change and advocate for social justice in communities across the country.
Congratulations to the class of 2024–2025 and may success continue to follow as you take on your world!
Enjoy More Hilltop Highlights
Relive the excitement of , , the , , and many more joyous occasions at St. Edward's University.
