Saint Augustines University Bridging Faith Scholarship and Community in Higher Education

Saint Augustine’s University: Bridging Faith, Scholarship, and Community in Higher Education

Nestled in the historic heart of Raleigh, North Carolina, Saint Augustine’s University stands as a living testament to the enduring power of faith-driven learning and social mission in American higher education. As a historically Black Catholic institution, the university combines rigorous academic programs with deep spiritual roots, offering students a unique blend of intellectual growth, ethical formation, and community engagement. From its founding mission in the early 20th century to its dynamic contemporary role, Saint Augustine’s exemplifies how religiously grounded education can shape leaders, transform communities, and foster inclusive scholarship.

Rooted in a century-long legacy, Saint Augustine’s traces its origins to 1923, when it emerged from community efforts to establish an educational haven for African American youth amid systemic barriers. The institution was formally founded by the Oblates of Saint Augustine, a Catholic religious order committed to both intellectual excellence and social justice. As Dr. Thomas J. McCain, former president of the university, reflects, “Our foundation was built on the pursuit of dignity—education as a sacred act to empower marginalized voices.” Over the decades, Saint Augustine’s has served as more than a college: it has functioned as a beacon of opportunity, nurturing generations of alumni who have gone on to become educators, nurses, engineers, and civic leaders. The university’s historical commitment to accessibility and equity remains central, aligning closely with the broader Catholic social teaching principle of unjustice toward the neighbor.

Academic Excellence Rooted in Faith and Purpose

Today, Saint Augustine’s University offers a comprehensive liberal arts curriculum designed to integrate faith with critical inquiry. The institution’s architecture of learning emphasizes values such as integrity, service, and social responsibility across all disciplines. With undergraduate programs spanning business, education, health sciences, and the humanities, the university ensures students engage with both traditional knowledge and contemporary challenges through a lens of ethical reflection.

Institutes such as the School of Education reflect deliberate efforts to prepare future educators who serve diverse communities. “We do not teach just curricula—we cultivate educators who understand their role as moral leaders,” explains Associate Professor Lisa C. Myers, chair of the Division of Social Sciences. Program graduates frequently enter classrooms in under-resourced schools, bringing not only pedagogical skill but also a commitment to equity and holistic student development. Furthermore, interdisciplinary initiatives encourage students to confront societal issues like poverty, health disparities, and systemic inequity. For instance, the university’s partnership with local clinics and schools enables students to participate in hands-on outreach, blending theory with real-world impact.

The health sciences track, while relatively recent, exemplifies this integrative approach. By weaving ethical discussions into coursework—such as medical ethics and community health planning—students emerge as not just technically proficient professionals, but conscientious practitioners grounded in human dignity. “Faith gives us a moral compass,” notes Dr. productos, a public health professor at Saint Augustine’s, “one that guides every decision in the lab, clinic, and classroom.”

Faithways Program: Shaping Leaders with Moral Clarity

Central to Saint Augustine’s identity is the Faithways Leadership and Formation Program, a signature initiative that merges academic rigor with spiritual formation. Designed for students across all majors, Faithways offers structured experiences in theology, ethics, and social justice, encouraging reflection on personal values and communal responsibility. The program challenges participants to ask not only “What can I achieve?” but “How should I serve?”—a reframing that profoundly influences career choices and civic engagement.

Each semester, students attend weekly workshops, retreats, and community service Projects that reinforce classroom learning. These activities often culminate in service learning credits, allowing students to apply classroom concepts in projects benefiting local neighborhoods. Sample initiatives include food drives at Raleigh’s urban pantries, tutoring in after-school programs, and collaborations with faith-based nonprofits on housing and wellness campaigns. “Faithways is not an elective—it’s a call to act,” says Sister Marie-Louise, a religious sister and faculty advisor to the program. “It transforms study into mission.”

Alumni of Faithways frequently echo this sentiment. Many cite the program’s emphasis on moral courage as pivotal in decisions ranging from career paths to civic participation. One recent graduate, currently serving as a community outreach coordinator in a regional health initiative, shared, “Without Faithways, I wouldn’t have understood leadership as stewardship. It taught me that excellence is measured not just by achievement, but by the good left behind.”

Community Impact: Saint Augustine’s as a Regional Catalyst

Beyond its campus, Saint Augustine’s operates as a vital regional anchor, contributing meaningfully to Raleigh’s social and economic fabric. The university’s outreach spans healthcare, education, economic development, and youth development, often partnering with municipalities, nonprofits, and faith communities to address shared challenges.

One of the most significant contributions lies in healthcare through the university’s partnership with local clinics such as St. Augustine’s Community Health Center. Serving primarily low-income and uninsured residents, the center provides medical, dental, and mental health services housed within a faith-rooted institution that emphasizes compassionate care. “Healing isn’t just clinical—it’s relational,” states Dr. Ezekiel Jones, director of the health initiative. “We see people who’ve been overlooked, and that contact affirms their worth.” The center has grown steadily over the past decade, expanding services while maintaining affordable access, directly supporting public health goals.

In education, Saint Augustine’s collaborates closely with Raleigh public schools, offering teacher training, curriculum support, and volunteer mentorship. Programs like the Summer Enrichment Camp provide academic boosts and character-building activities to students from underserved communities. This partnership not only strengthens K–12 education but also inspires future teachers—many from the same neighborhoods—to pursue advanced degrees, thereby nurturing a pipeline of diverse educators.

Economic development efforts further underscore Saint Augustine’s communal commitment. Through workforce training programs in partnership with local chambers of commerce, the university equips residents with skills in healthcare support, information technology, and customer service. These initiatives directly address unemployment and skill gaps, empowering individuals to regain stability and contribute to neighborhood resilience.

Campus Culture: Community, Identity, and Innovation

The physical and cultural landscape of Saint Augustine’s reflects its mission. Historic buildings blend with modern academic facilities, symbolizing a continuity of values amid evolving needs. But beyond structure, the campus thrives as a dynamic space where student life reinforces purposeful engagement.

Student organizations play a vital role: groups like the Black Student Union, Faithways Leadership Group, and Student Health Advocates foster inclusion, provide peer mentorship, and organize events that celebrate heritage and faith. Annual gatherings such as the Saint Augustine’s Unity Forum bring together students, faculty, alumni, and community leaders to discuss pressing issues like racial equity and youth empowerment, transforming dialogue into collective action.

Moreover, innovation is not absent. The university’s recent investment in a digital learning lab and STEM outreach programs bridges tradition with tomorrow, ensuring students receive cutting-edge training while grounded in ethical frameworks. “Progress without purpose is displacement,” cautions President Dr. Marie Cowdery. Such foresight has attracted competitive grants and partnerships, expanding capacity without compromising core values.

Pathways Forward: Sustaining Impact in a Changing World

As Saint Augustine’s University looks ahead, its commitment to holistic formation and community service remains unwavering—even as it adapts to emerging educational and societal trends. The rise of online learning, increasing demand for interdisciplinary skills, and evolving civil rights challenges all demand agility. Yet through strategic planning, careful stewardship, and deep roots in place, the university positions itself as a model of how faith-based institutions can thrive in the 21st century.

Key priorities include expanding financial aid and scholarship access, doubling down on STEM and health-related programs with social justice emphases, and strengthening global partnerships that uphold mutual respect and learning. Sustainability initiatives—such as solar energy integration and waste reduction—align campus growth with responsible citizenship.

Ultimately, Saint Augustine’s embodies a timeless truth: that education rooted in faith, guided by ethics, and driven by service shapes not only individuals, but entire communities. In a world marked by division and complexity, the university’s enduring message is clear—what matters is who we serve, how we serve, and the legacy we carry forward.

With more than a century of history shaping its path, Saint Augustine’s University continues to illuminate the power of bringing learning and love into mission—one student, one service project, and one transformative moment at a time.