The Journey Project is a comprehensive initiative funded by Lilly Endowment, Inc. as a “Program for the Theological Exploration of Vocation” and it is designed to create a campus culture in which faculty, staff, administrators and students give serious consideration to issues of faith, service and vocation – all in the context of liberal arts education.

The Journey Project seeks to promote four goals:

Goal 1: DISCOVERING VOCATION is directed at the entire student body, most of whom will not choose to pursue explicitly religious vocations or careers. These programs are designed to attract new students and previously uninvolved students into ministry and service experiences, and to help all students explore ways of integrating faith, academic studies, career choices and service.

Goal 2: EXPLORING MINISTRY is directed toward students with an expressed interest in pursuing full-time ministry as a career. Its programs are designed to encourage and prepare students to undertake leadership roles in the church and other religious institutions.

Goal 3: CHANGING CAMPUS CULTURE is directed toward faculty, staff and administrators. Its programs are designed to affect a campus-wide cultural shift toward a greater appreciation of the school’s Franciscan heritage and values, and a closer integration of Academic Affairs, University Ministries and Student Life.

Goal 4: PROMOTING INSTITUTIONAL CHANGE was added in June of 2004 after a Journey Project review committee recognized that they would like to see cultural changes, (such as more mentoring and a stronger sense of shared mission) among faculty and staff. These changes would be greatly facilitated by a less unit-based, more collaborative approach to University tasks. Even prior to the expressed articulation of this goal, the Journey Project had partnered with many other programs and units within the University. We view such partnerships as a key to long-term sustainability for the project.