A Synodal Process for Revising the Mission of a Contemporary Catholic University

Abstract

During the 2022–2023 academic year, the University of San Diego engaged in a year-long dialogue on what it means to be a Catholic university in the twenty-first century. Mirroring the synodal process initiated in 2021 by Pope Francis for the global Catholic Church, the university sought to create opportunities for all university constituents to reflect on the mission and values of the institution and to listen to one another articulate their hopes and dreams for the future. In this article, we provide a historical context for the importance of mission and Catholic identity, describe how the process utilized parallels the synodality conversation within the Catholic Church, and reflect on the challenges and opportunities that emerged from engaging numerous stakeholders in this important dialogue.