90+%
students of color
Making the Impossible Possible
Dougherty Family College
Dougherty Family College is turning the traditional model of higher education on its head. This groundbreaking college was created to remove financial barriers that could prevent students from achieving their goals of attaining four-year degrees. While maintaining the same standard of excellence as St. Thomas' four-year program, Dougherty Family College is making a college education affordable and accessible for driven, promising students who demonstrate high financial need.
Minnesota ranks fourth in the U.S. for jobs requiring a four-year degree, making a college education more valuable than ever for our workforce. Dougherty Family College provides scholars with academic, personal and financial support to earn an associate degree and a clear pathway to a four-year college degree.
Beyond the classroom, the Dougherty Family College experience includes mentorship and leadership opportunities. Our Professional Internship Program empowers students to develop real-world, professional experience in paid internships at leading organizations throughout the Twin Cities. It's an important step in a student's educational journey, setting them up for success in their career and a four-year degree program - at the University of St. Thomas or another institution.
Contact
Emily Wingfield
Senior Director of External and Corporate Relations, Dougherty Family College and School of Education
Email
ewingfield@stthomas.edu
Phone Number
(651) 962-8014
Minnesota has one of the largest opportunity gaps in the country. Rooted in our Catholic mission to uphold the dignity of every person and advance the common good, we have a moral duty to challenge the status quo and lead meaningful change. We believe that begins with affordable, accessible education for students with a drive to succeed. Your support of Dougherty Family College creates opportunities that our students would have never thought were possible.
For the truly remarkable students who graduate from DFC, their journey is just beginning. Support continues on their pathway to a four-year degree, whether that be at St. Thomas or another institution, and your commitment to scholarships rewards students for their persistence and passion in their education.
Through our Professional Internship Program, Dougherty Family College partners with local companies to place students at top organizations in the Twin Cities, affording students the opportunity to develop professional skills and real-world experiences with exposure to different industries and careers. With our students' talents and your partnership, we'll shape the future workforce and build a talent pipeline for the common good.
Our DFC graduation rate is almost twice the average graduation rate of community colleges in Minnesota.The majority of DFC graduates are either enrolled in four-year programs or have earned four-year degrees.
60+
high schools represented
70+%
first-generation college students
The Impact of Your Philanthropy
"Dougherty Family College was created because something different was needed in the Twin Cities. We dreamed big, carving a truly unique pathway for promising young people to not simply attend college, but to believe in themselves and achieve success.The spring, we celebrated our fifth graduating class and I'm proud to say the Dougherty Difference is not only working—it is thriving in a measurable way."
Dr. Buffy Smith
Dean and Frey Endowed Chair, Dougherty Family College
I wanted to attend DFC because paying for college was always a concern to me. I’ve always thought about the idea of going to college, and DFC made that happen for me. I developed discipline, time management skills and perseverance.
Jasmin '20 AA
Meet the Dean
"Closing the gap in higher education and the workforce is a bold mission that we embrace at Dougherty Family College. Our graduation rate is twice as high as the state and national community college graduation rates. In addition, our scholars gain valuable professional skills and experience by working at companies and organizations that make a meaningful impact in our society. Our DFC students are steadfast in their commitment to fulfilling their college dreams and becoming leaders who will transform the world. We are grateful for our friends and partners who continue to support our scholars on their educational and career journey. Your dedicated partnership and consistent engagement with our scholars matter and will have an impact in their lives and in our communities for generations to come."
- Buffy Smith, Ph.D., Dean, and Eugene and Mary Frey Endowed Chair, Dougherty Family College
When I was first introduced to the Dougherty Family College program and met the young adults who were part of it, I actually saw myself in their faces. I saw the same hope that I had at their age; hope that someone would believe in me and my potential. Supporting DFC has given us an opportunity to cultivate future leaders and build an incredible pipeline to important new talent.
Greg Cunningham, Chief Diversity Officer, US Bank
Providing Hope
For many students, including Brittany Martinez '23 AA, a college education was a dream that seemed too expensive to attain. "Because of the support here, and that someone believes I can go to college is what drives me to keep going," says Martinez. See how a Dougherty Family College education is changing lives every single day.
The Cohort Model
A key element of a Dougherty Family College experience gaining national attention is its cohort model. About 25 students take every class together, which creates a support system and community throughout the two-year program. Scholars are motivated and encouraged by their peers to be the best that they can be. See how Dougherty Family College brings this concept to life.
The Dougherty Family
The Dougherty Family College is named after co-founding benefactors Mike and Kathy Dougherty and their daughters, Sarah and Mollie.
“A college degree is one of the best ways to beat poverty. My wife, daughters and I want to give motivated, hard-working students the opportunity to succeed in college so they can use their talents and support themselves in the future. One day, I believe these students will be giving back to our community. But for now, this is a way for our family to give back to the community that has been so good to us.”
– Mike Dougherty, co-founding benefactor of Dougherty Family College and St. Thomas trustee
An Investment in the Future
The Constellation Fund has chosen DFC as one of its grantees for its effectiveness and impact in fighting poverty. For every dollar invested with DFC, it calculates that the return in benefits that reduce poverty is $4.81. This video was shown at a recent Constellation Fund event that showcased DFC.
Areas of Need
DFC Tuition
Our top priority is keeping DFC affordable and accessible for the students who need it most. Academic scholarships for current and prospective students are the most effective way to provide students a pathway to a four-year degree.
Wrap-around Supports
The cost of education is more than tuition. At DFC, we cover those outside costs by providing textbooks, laptops, public transportation passes and meal plans for students, most of whom travel from all over the metro area to come to class. Removing these barriers helps to ensure students can focus entirely on their classes.
Continuation Scholarships
Graduating from DFC is just the beginning. Our goal is to help our scholars complete their four-year degree. We know that St. Thomas is more successful in graduating DFC students with their bachelor’s degree than any other college or university. With cost being the top reason students don’t complete their degree, we must provide scholarships for DFC grads wishing to continue at St. Thomas.