Strategic Plan

Pursuing the Magis Together

The Clough Boston College School of Theology and Ministry 听

Introduction

As the Boston College Clough School of Theology and Ministry celebrates its 10th anniversary, we鈥攊ts students, faculty, and staff鈥攔enew our commitment to pursuing the magis and remaining open to the call of God through the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Founded in June 2008, 51茶馆鈥檚 Clough School of Theology and Ministry resulted from the union of the Weston Jesuit School of Theology, the Boston College Institute of Religious Education and Pastoral Ministry, and the C21 Online (now CSTM Online: Crossroads) program.

STM鈥檚 purpose is two-fold:

  1. Formation of priests for the Society of Jesus and other orders.

  2. Preparation of lay students as well as men and women religious for leadership in the Church and the academy.听


To be true to its heritage and mission, CSTM must continue to be a place where the faculty, staff, and student body reflect the ecclesial ideal of lay, ordained, and religious working together.

Significant accomplishments of CSTM鈥檚 first ten years include:
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  • nearly doubling the size of the student body while increasing academic standards;
  • being recognized among the best theological schools in the world
  • hiring and developing new faculty who will advance the next generation of theological scholarship;
  • achieving a 95% graduate placement rate or higher over the past five years;
  • developing a dedicated network of CSTM alumni working in increasingly diverse academic, ecclesial, and faith-based contexts worldwide; and
  • offering ongoing theological and ministerial formation to thousands of people around the globe.


In addition, CSTM鈥檚 faculty, staff, and students have become an integral part of the Boston College community through interdisciplinary teaching and research; through partnerships with centers, institutes, and offices across campus; and through service and leadership in Campus Ministry programs.

“It is a magis, that plus that leads Ignatius to undertake initiatives, to follow them through, and to evaluate their real impact on peoples鈥� lives in matters of faith, justice, mercy, and charity. The magisis the fire, the fervor of action that rouses us from slumber鈥�”
Address of His Holiness Pope Francis, to the 36th General Congregation of the Society of Jesus

Process

Inspired by Saint Ignatius of Loyola to be contemplatives in action, and desiring to align with the University鈥檚 Strategic Plan Ever to Excel: Advancing Boston College鈥檚 Mission, CSTM faculty, staff, and students engaged in a yearlong assessment and planning effort during the 2017-18 academic year. Four committees鈥擬arketing and Recruitment, Academic Programs, Schoolwide Formation, and Service to the Church and the World鈥攚ere formed. These groups reflected on CSTM鈥檚 accomplishments in its first 10 years, as well as on the dean鈥檚 invitation to help meet challenges and opportunities in the Church and the world. The strategic planning process included a review and slight revision of CSTM鈥檚 founding Mission Statement, as well as an articulation of the School鈥檚 Core Values.

Strategic Directions

As CSTM enters its second decade, the School intends to strengthen its partnerships with other departments, institutes, and centers at Boston College鈥攁s well as other Jesuit institutions world-wide. We imagine that the diversity of the faculty, staff, and student body at CSTM will reflect even more the diversity of the Church. And we will continue to focus on creating a welcoming and inclusive community where our students are formed to serve a multicultural Church. Building on foundations already in place, CSTM will focus on four Strategic Directions.

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