Home

You can also choose to use TommieBot, an AI search assistant developed by St. Thomas School of Engineering students and faculty.

Take me to TommieBot

News & Events

See what is happening at the Dougherty Family College!

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.

DFC students pose together in front of Terrence Murphy Hall with Dean Smith in the middle

Helping New Students Thrive in Higher Education

Featured Story

Featured on the front page of the Star Tribune, Dougherty Family College's Summer Enrichment Program highlighted how it is designed to help students "thrive in college and not just survive".

Read more

Newsletter from Dougherty Family College

Check out the Spring 2025 Dougherty Family College Newsletter. Read about the following: 
  • Dean's Corner
  • Career Exploration Field Trips
  • Exploring Purpose at the Vocational Retreat
  • Spotlight: Graduating Seniors with Bachelor's Degrees
  • Upcoming Events
Spring 2025 Newsletter
Our DFC scholars are prepared and ready to advance the common good; they embody and practice the convictions of the University of St. Thomas.
Dr. Buffy Smith, Dean

Dougherty Family College News

November 21, 2024

English Professor of Dougherty Family College to Publish Positive Columns on Modern Times

Dr. Louis Porter II, a teaching professor of English at the University of St. Thomas' Dougherty Family College, has begun penning a monthly column called Towards Higher Ground, published in the Minneapolis-based newspaper Insight News. Porter, a former reporter for the St. Paul Pioneer Press, and advocate for equity, believes in the importance of making… The post English Professor of Dougherty Family College to Publish Positive Columns on Modern Times appeared first on Newsroom | University of St. Thomas.

  • September 18, 2024

    In The News: Dr. Buffy Smith on Enhancing Student Success in Underserved Communities

    Dr. Buffy Smith, dean of the Dougherty Family College, was interviewed by the online publication The EvoLLLution. Asked about challenges facing students from underrepresented communities, Smith discussed different ways universities could help students succeed both in and out of the classroom. From the story: “When scholars graduate from Dougherty Family College, we want them to… The post In The News: Dr. Buffy Smith on Enhancing Student Success in Underserved Communities appeared first on Newsroom | University of St. Thomas.

  • July 23, 2024

    In the News: Dougherty Family College’s Model for Student Success Featured by Forbes

    Buffy Smith, dean of the University of St. Thomas Dougherty Family College, recently spoke with Forbes about intentionally addressing systemic barriers to success in higher education. From the story: According to Buffy Smith, dean of Dougherty Family College and a professor of sociology, “We work hard to intentionally address some of those structural barriers. (Our approach)… The post In the News: Dougherty Family College’s Model for Student Success Featured by Forbes appeared first on Newsroom | University of St. Thomas.

  • June 25, 2024

    St. Thomas Receives $1.1M in Funding to Support Educating Diverse K-12 STEM Teachers

    U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith of Minnesota, as well as Congresswoman Betty McCollum from the state’s Fourth District, announced in June that they helped secure more than $1.1 million in federal funding for the School of Education and Dougherty Family College at the University of St. Thomas and the South St. Paul School… The post St. Thomas Receives $1.1M in Funding to Support Educating Diverse K-12 STEM Teachers appeared first on Newsroom | University of St. Thomas.

  • June 5, 2024

    In the News: Dougherty Family College Fulfills Dreams

    Persistence pays off. That’s the theme of the message Dougherty Family College Dean Buffy Smith and alum Cheyene Bialke AA '22 BS '24 shared in an interview with Native Roots Radio. Bialke told listeners that some of her high school teachers thought she was not college material because she struggled with core courses, such as… The post In the News: Dougherty Family College Fulfills Dreams appeared first on Newsroom | University of St. Thomas.

More News from DFC
students talking over snacks in the dfc commons space

Watch to learn more about DFC

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.

Learn About Our Academics

Upcoming DFC Events