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Mission Statement
Excellence in academic endeavors The integration of life and learning Respect and concern for all persons Diversity of cultures and beliefs Service to others.
Faith & Wisdom
Catholic Identity Statement
Our Heritage
Commitment to Service
The Service Learning & Civic Engagement Office at Mount St. Joseph University provides a comprehensive array of engaged experiences that help students to be prepared to lead in the workplace and in the community. We also have student scholarship programs and learning communities.
Visit the Service Learning page to learn more.
Community Engagement
The Mount regularly connects with students and community leaders across Greater Cincinnati, as well as community service organizations. The Mount would be happy to visit your school. To connect with Sr. Karen, please email her at karen.elliott@msj.edu
Mount St. Joseph University's Historic Mater Dei Chapel
Visit our Mater Dei Chapel page here to learn about its rich history and offerings.
Our Catholic Heritage
- Doing justice
- Sharing resources for the liberation of the oppressed
- Commitment to the healing of our global home
- Embracing cultural expansion
- Learning from and being in solidarity with the poor
- Being prophetic in church and society
- Risking a caring response.
Sisters of Charity Mission, Vision and Charism statements: www.srcharitycinti.org/about/mission.html
Seven Themes of Catholic Social Teaching:
- Life and dignity of the human person
- Call to family, community, and participation in society
- Rights and responsibilities for the common good
- Care for the poor and vulnerable
- Dignity of work and the rights of workers
- Solidarity in the pursuit of justice and peace
- Care for and stewardship of creation.
Six principles of the Catholic Intellectual Tradition:
- Complementarily of faith and reason
- Value in the study of all disciplines as a way of knowing God
- Respect for the cumulative wisdom of those who have come before us
- Integration of knowledge and education of the whole person
- Attention to the dignity of all humanity
- Cultivation of inclusiveness and diversity.
The Mount's Sponsorship Transition
On September 14, 2022, the Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati announced that they are in the process of concluding the sponsorship of their five sponsored ministries, including the Mount. This change is necessitated by the current realities of having fewer Sisters of Charity to serve its five sponsored ministries.
For reference, in 1960, the Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati had approximately 1,600 Sisters. Today, the Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati have less than 200 Sisters. Unfortunately, these demographic challenges and the demands of active sponsorship require the Sisters to make a change, while remaining deeply connected to and supportive of the mission of all of their sponsored ministries, including the Mount.
As a result, the Mount is exploring its future Catholic sponsorship options. The Mount Board of Trustees is committed to ensuring that the institution remains Catholic, and, as of April 24, 2023, has decided to only consider sponsorship options that will permit the Mount to remain a Catholic university after the sponsorship transition from the Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati takes place.
Questions and comments about the Mount’s sponsorship transition can be shared by emailing sponsorship.transition@msj.edu.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Mount's Sponsorship Transition
The “sponsorship” of the Mount by the Sisters of Charity relates to the institution’s Catholic identity and certain governance matters. It does not have anything to do with the Mount’s finances or day-to-day operations.
Sponsorship by the Sisters of Charity has permitted the Mount to have a canonical relationship with the Catholic Church. The sponsorship transition requires the Mount to explore other options for maintaining its canonical relationship with the Catholic Church.
None. Currently, the Sisters of Charity maintain a limited governance role with: (1) up to 4 seats on the Board of Trustees, (2) approval of the hiring of the Mount’s President and appointment of members of the Board of Trustees, (3) approval of the annual operating budget, and (4) approval of certain actions of the Board of Trustees through reserved powers, such as approving large investments.
With the sponsorship transition, the Sisters of Charity’s authority over these administrative operations will revert to the Mount St. Joseph University Board of Trustees, as is typical with other private, non-profit universities. The day-to-day operations of the Mount will not be impacted by the sponsorship transition.
Forums with students, faculty, staff, and alumni to learn more about the sponsorship transition process and to engage in discussions about sponsorship options are taking place. Comments can also be shared at any by emailing sponsorship.transition@msj.edu.
Over its 102 year history, the Mount has evolved and transformed into the world-class living and learning community it is today. Yet, our mission, vision, and values have remained constant. The Mount is grounded in the spiritual values and vision of the Sisters of Charity and is committed to honoring that legacy.
The Sisters of Charity will provide resources and expertise to the Mount as it moves forward in the sponsorship transition process. While the Sisters of Charity sponsorship will eventually transition, its relationship with the Mount will endure.
Leadership
Sister Karen Elliott, C.PP.S., D.Min., Chief Mission and Heritage Officer
Sister Karen has a strong commitment to the ministry of Catholic higher education and a passion for service learning. She is a Sister of the Precious Blood of Dayton, Ohio, and most recently served as the Catholic campus minister at Wright State University. Prior to her role at Wright State, she served as chairperson and professor of religious studies at Mercy College of Ohio for twelve years. While at Mercy College, Sister Karen also held the positions of interim director of graduate studies and director of curricular service learning.
Sister Karen has served as a faculty presenter on Sacred Scripture in the Lay Ministry Formation Program and a homiletics assessor for the Permanent Diaconate Program in the Diocese of Toledo. She has led numerous retreats and has taught a variety of adult education classes on the Scriptures throughout the United States, Canada, Australia, and India. She is the author of the book, Women in Ministry and the Writings of Paul, published in 2010 by Anselm Academic.
Contact Info:
Please contact Sr. Karen at karen.elliott@msj.edu, or call 513-244-4844 to connect.