Dougherty Family College | University of St. Thomas - Minnesota

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Dougherty Family College provides students with the academic, personal and financial support to earn an associate degree and a clear pathway to achieve a four-year college degree.

DFC provides you the support you need to achieve your college dreams and become extraordinary leaders. You do not have to walk this college journey alone, we are family.

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Dougherty Family College News

May 26, 2026

Sights and Sounds: DFC 2026 Commencement

For many graduates of the 2026 Dougherty Family College at the University of St. Thomas, commencement represented more than the completion of an associate degree. It represented persistence, confidence and Ohana - family. “We didn’t get here by having everything figured out,” student speaker Mai Vang AA '26 told his classmates during the ceremony, which… The post Sights and Sounds: DFC 2026 Commencement appeared first on Newsroom | University of St. Thomas.

• May 20, 2026

  15 DFC Graduates Earn Full-Ride Scholarships to Continue at St. Thomas

  Fifteen graduates of the Dougherty Family College at the University of St. Thomas have been awarded the DFC Excellence Scholarship, a full-tuition award that allows them to continue directly into bachelor’s degree programs at St. Thomas. “Being selected as a DFC Excellence Scholar is truly meaningful to me,” said Daniel Akinola. “This scholarship not only… The post 15 DFC Graduates Earn Full-Ride Scholarships to Continue at St. Thomas appeared first on Newsroom | University of St. Thomas.

• May 13, 2026

  Maxfield Internship Program Provides Hands-On Experience for Future Educators

  For the past three years, Maxfield Elementary has partnered with Dougherty Family College at the University of St. Thomas to host student interns, providing them with valuable in-classroom experience and firsthand exposure to careers in education. Through the Maxfield internship program, scholars work directly with young learners while developing the skills and confidence needed to… The post Maxfield Internship Program Provides Hands-On Experience for Future Educators appeared first on Newsroom | University of St. Thomas.

• May 11, 2026

  In the News: Buffy Smith on Student Success in Higher Education

  Buffy Smith, dean of Dougherty Family College at the University of St. Thomas, spoke with University Business about the Dougherty Family College approach to helping first-generation and underserved students succeed in higher education. Smith emphasized that colleges must provide both academic and social support systems to help students thrive throughout their educational journey. From the… The post In the News: Buffy Smith on Student Success in Higher Education appeared first on Newsroom | University of St. Thomas.

• May 7, 2026

  DFC’s First Alums Reflect on Finding Belonging

  Alum Mesum Haider ’19 AA, ’22 wasn’t searching for Dougherty Family College. But once he heard about it, he knew it was the right college for him. “At Dougherty, it wasn’t about being tolerated,” he said. “It was about being embraced.” Before arriving on campus, Haider had spent his K-12 years feeling out of place… The post DFC’s First Alums Reflect on Finding Belonging appeared first on Newsroom | University of St. Thomas.

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