News & Events

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Stay up to date on the latest news and events at Dougherty Family College and browse upcoming events to learn more about what we have to offer our students.

Flexible Paths to Earn Degrees: Two-Year Programs are the Answer

Featured Story

Featured in US World News and Report, Dean Buffy Smith reflects on how the two-year "embedded college" model helps more students in higher education, graduate and thrive.

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Newsletter from Dougherty Family College

Check out the Fall 2025 Dougherty Family College Newsletter. Read about the following: 

• Dean's Corner
• Remembering Mr. Mike Dougherty
• Empowerment: Shame Resiliency Model
• The Power of Internships: Downtown Improvement District

Fall 2025 Newsletter

At Dougherty Family College, we will continue to work diligently to ensure that scholars who are Pell-eligible and the first in their families to attend college are equipped with the knowledge, skills, and information they need to thrive in college and in their future careers.

Dr. Buffy Smith, Dean

Advancing Equity in Higher Education: A Conversation with Dr. Buffy Smith

In this episode of The Professor Podcast in the Library with a Microphone, Dr. Buffy Smith, Dean of Dougherty Family College, discusses how her scholarly work and lived experience inform her research on access, equity, and student success in higher education. The conversation highlights her nationally recognized expertise in mentoring and supporting first-generation students and those from under-resourced communities.

Listen to the episode

Dougherty Family College News

November 17, 2025

In the News: Buffy Smith on How Dougherty Family College Centers Students Beyond Academics

Dr. Buffy Smith, dean of Dougherty Family College at the University of St. Thomas, recently spoke with Sheletta Brundidge from WCCO Radio on supporting students with housing, food and transportation insecurities through DFC emergency funds. Smith also spoke on the importance of “Ohana” at DFC. From the interview:  Smith: It was, in fact, when the… The post In the News: Buffy Smith on How Dougherty Family College Centers Students Beyond Academics appeared first on Newsroom | University of St. Thomas.

• October 22, 2025

  In the News: Buffy Smith Talks About How Parents of College Students Feel FOMO

  Dr. Buffy Smith, dean of Dougherty Family College at the University of St. Thomas, recently spoke with Sheletta Brundidge of WCCO Radio regarding parental FOMO, assisting children in navigating larger college classrooms, fostering peer accountability, cultivating a sense of belonging and other related topics. From the interview (Segment starts at 17:15): Brundidge: The one thing… The post In the News: Buffy Smith Talks About How Parents of College Students Feel FOMO appeared first on Newsroom | University of St. Thomas.

• September 2, 2025

  In the News: Erica Embury on Opportunities at Dougherty Family College

  Erica Embury, associate director of admissions for Dougherty Family College, spoke to WCCO Radio host Sheletta Brundidge about the opportunities for young scholars at Dougherty Family College. From the story: Do you have a child that’s looking at colleges? If you need a different pathway than signing up at an expensive four-year institution, Erica Embury,… The post In the News: Erica Embury on Opportunities at Dougherty Family College appeared first on Newsroom | University of St. Thomas.

• September 2, 2025

  Largest First-Year Class in St. Thomas History Marches Through the Arches

  The skies over St. Paul had a steady drizzle on the morning of the University of St. Thomas’ annual March Through the Arches as first-year students gathered at the edge of the lower quad, adjusting purple shirts and snapping photos with family. Then, a few minutes before the ceremony began, sunlight broke through. It was… The post Largest First-Year Class in St. Thomas History Marches Through the Arches appeared first on Newsroom | University of St. Thomas.

• August 19, 2025

  In Our Prayers: Michael E. Dougherty ’66

  The University of St. Thomas community mourns the passing of Michael Emmett Dougherty ’66, an alumnus, trustee, visionary philanthropist and founding benefactor of Dougherty Family College (DFC). He died Aug. 10, 2025. Together with his wife Kathy and their family, he established Dougherty Family College at the University of St. Thomas to create a pathway… The post In Our Prayers: Michael E. Dougherty ’66 appeared first on Newsroom | University of St. Thomas.

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Constellation Fund Spotlights DFC

The Constellation Fund produced a video about Dougherty Family College, a grantee partner, highlighting the school's academics, community and culturally sustaining teaching methods.

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