A Message from the President
“What makes a Distinctive Mercy Graduate?”
When my work in championing our University takes me
off campus, this question inevitably becomes a part of the
conversation. It is always a pleasure and honor to answer. It’s
what defines our University, and what I believe sets us apart
from a myriad of other schools.
As defined in our new Strategic Plan, Distinctive Mercy
Graduates are “women and men who have a strong foundation
in liberal learning; prepared to be professionally competent in
their fields of study; and possessing a commitment to the Mercy
heritage of service to society. They will be women and men who
are prepared to have not only successful careers but lives of
deep meaning.”
This means our students receive exceptional training in their
fields, complemented by close mentorship from our faculty,
and it means that we value the liberal arts – the strengthening
of “soft skills” such as critical thinking, communication, and
leadership – because it will prepare our students to adapt to
whatever the workforce will demand of them in the future. We
know our students leave us with confidence in their ability to
learn and prosper. And finally, it means that we are sending
our graduates out into the world to give back and to live
meaningful, gratifying lives of purpose.
Two recent surveys reinforce that our mission is working. In
a 2019 GMercyU survey, 95% of recent graduates reported
being employed or in graduate school within six months of graduation (according to survey respondents). And, according
to Georgetown University’s Center on Education and the Workforce, GMercyU ranks in the top 6% nationally in 10-year
earnings. Our graduates find jobs quickly, and go on to earn highly competitive salaries.
And we also hear directly from our alumni about the great work they’re doing. In this issue of Today magazine, you can read
several stories of alumni that bring to life what it means to be a Distinctive Mercy Graduate.
We are so proud of these alumni, and we are excited to welcome a new class into our alumni ranks at graduation this May,
and to see where their careers will take them.
I hope you enjoy reading these stories and the latest news of our beloved GMercyU.
Deanne H. D’Emilio, JD
President