Opportunities for Faculty and Staff
The University Council for Jesuit Mission promotes opportunities for USF faculty, staff, and administrators to engage the mission, vision, and core values of the University. Following is a list of programs and activities available to faculty, staff, and administrators, coordinated by several different offices and departments at USF and covering areas, such as professional and leadership development, spirituality, the Jesuit tradition in higher education and social justice, Catholic social thought and theology, and immersion experiences. Past and current participants share a range of beliefs, religions, and spiritual traditions all of which contribute to a broad, rich, and inclusive understanding of the Jesuit Catholic mission and tradition at USF. Faculty and staff of all religious and spiritual beliefs are welcome.
Short-term and Drop-in Opportunities to Reflect on Mission
These offerings are being reimagined. please check back in the fall for updated opportunities.
Longer-Term Formation and Development Programs
lane center faculty programs on catholic social thought and the ignatian tradition
ignatian pedagogy and inclusive teching program for new faculty
This program for new faculty will provide an introduction to Jesuit higher education through a historical overview and discussion of USF's mission and core values. Faculty will meet monthly during the fall semester to discuss short readings on Jesuit higher education and to build community with each other and other campus partners. In collaboration with the Center for Teaching Excellence, faculty will explore practical ways to incorporate Ignatian pedagogy and inclusive teaching practices into their courses.
catholic social and intellectual traditions seminar (year 2)
This seminar will help faculty and staff become more deeply acquainted with the intellectual and social traditions that inspire USF's Jesuit, Catholic mission. Through philosophical and theological texts especially by Jesuit philosopher/theologian/economist, Bernard Lonergan, S.J., this semester will explore perennial questions such as: How do we know? How should we live? What ultimately matters? The group will meet once a month for an hour throughout the school year.
foundations and expressions of ignatian spirituality seminar (years 3+)
After completing This seminar will help faculty and staff become more deeply acquainted with the intellectual and social traditions that inspire USF's Jesuit, Catholic mission. Through philosophical and theological texts especially by Jesuit philosopher/theologian/economist, Bernard Lonergan, S.J., this semester will explore perennial questions such as: How do we know? How should we live? What ultimately matters? The group will meet once a month for an hour throughout the school year.
For more information about these program please reach out to Erin Brigham.
JESUIT FOUNDATION GRANT
Participating in the above mentioned seminar positions faculty to successfully apply for a Jesuit Foundation Grant.
Intensive Professional Development and Leadership Formation Experiences
THE SPIRITUAL EXERCISES OF ST. IGNATIUS (19TH ANNOTATION)
The Spiritual Exercises are a compilation of meditations, prayers, and contemplative practices developed by St. Ignatius of Loyola to help people deepen their relationship with God. University Ministry offers faculty and staff the opportunity to complete the exercises over the course of the academic year through weekly meetings with a spiritual director. Past participants describe the experience as rewarding and transformative personally and professionally. A prior conversation with Donal Godfrey, S.J. is required. He can be contacted at godfrey@usfca.edu. Register for 19th Annotation online.
SPIRITUAL DIRECTION
Spiritual direction is an ancient practice of meeting one-on-one with a trained person to discuss one’s spiritual life. Practiced by both lay and ordained women and men, spiritual direction is available to people of all faiths and spiritual traditions. Directors do not impose their own agendas or beliefs on others—rather they listen carefully in order to help others discern the ways in which God or the holy is leading them. For more information, please contact Fr. Donal Godfrey, S.J.
USF IGNATIAN COLLEAGUES PROGRAM
The Ignatian Colleagues Program at the University of San Francisco (ICP@USF) will include bi-monthly critical dialogues on Ignatian ideology and Catholic Social Teachings in principle and practice, a silent retreat, and an immersion experience (now called "encounter"). If you have any questions about this exciting new offering, please contact Sonja Poole, Lester Deanes, or Shannon Gary.
AJCU faith, justice, and reconciliation assembly
USF sent a cohort of thirteen to this assembly in July of 2024. The theme of the assembly, "Creating of a Hope-filled Future," was inspired by the Universal Apostolic Preferences Preferences (UAPs) of the Society of Jesus, which provides an Ignatian "horizon, a point of reference to the whole Society of Jesus." The assembly sought to being in gratitude and end in hope. Participants have returned with good ideas and plans to further plant seeds of hope at USF. If you have questions about the assembly or its outcome, please contact Fr. John P. Fitzgibbons, S.J.
AJCU ignatian LEADERSHIP seminar
This year-long formational program (formerly known as the AJCU Leadership Institute) features monthly virtual sessions with leaders from across the AJCU network and a four-day in person Summer Institute. Participants have been selected for AY24-24. Please contact Fr. John P. Fitzgibbons, S.J. if you are interested in participating in AY25-26.
AJCU IGNATIAN COLLEAGUES PROGRAM
This is an intensive, 18-month AJCU program designed to educate and form administrators and “animators of mission” more deeply in the Jesuit tradition of higher education. 2-4 leaders (faculty and staff) per university may participate annually. Permission from dean/VP is required. Please contact Fr. John P. Fitzgibbons, S.J. if you are interested.
ajcu IGNATIAN executive leadership academy
This is a six-month program designed to develop the practical skills and habits of mind and heart that will support and sustain the next generation of executive leaders in Jesuit higher education. This is designed for individuals serving in a senior leadership position. Please contact Fr. John P. Fitzgibbons, S.J. if you are interested.