Welcome from the Program Director

Even though there are obvious differences between today and the culture of fourth-century B.C. Athens, cultivating practical wisdom, or what Aristotle called phronesis, remains one of the most important aims of education. Indeed, practical wisdom does not replace or compete with rigorous intellectual formation, particularly in the context of higher education. But it does necessitate that we aim to educate more than the mind alone.

At the heart of character and virtue education is equipping learners of all ages to discover their life’s meaning and potential. The renewed attention to character and virtue education attempts to bridge the gap between what we know, who we are, and how we live. This wisdom for life is particularly important for the school of education as we prepare future educational leaders.

Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota is uniquely positioned to be a leader in character and virtue education. Lasallian education, following the example of Saint John Baptist De La Salle, seeks to teach minds, touch hearts, and transform lives. In the school of education, our dedicated faculty assist students in all of our programs to integrate the intellectual, moral, and practical dimensions of their learning.

This is an exciting time for the school of education, and I am grateful for your interest in our work. In the forthcoming years, our vision includes forming new partnerships, supporting teachers through ongoing professional development opportunities, and developing new programs to prepare future educational leaders. If there are ways that we can be of service or collaborate, I invite you to contact us.

Michael Hahn, Ph.D.
Assistant Dean
School of Education
Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota