Rooted in Mission, Focused on the Future

St. Bonaventure University Strategic Plan (2025–2030)

At St. Bonaventure University, our past is rich with purpose, our present is energized with promise, and our future is grounded in a singular truth: We are a community rooted in mission and focused on the future.

Inspired by our Catholic-Franciscan tradition, we chart a bold path forward that furthers intellectual excellence, ethical leadership, and compassionate service. This plan, a collective effort of our entire community, outlines four strategic pillars — Community, Institutional Strength, Innovation, and Purpose — that are deeply rooted in our mission and will guide us to 2030 and beyond.

For a look at the entire Strategic Plan, view the PDF here.
 

Bell tower 2

Our Mission

St. Bonaventure University is a Catholic university dedicated to educational excellence as informed by our Franciscan and liberal arts traditions. In the words of our patron, we believe that there should be “no knowledge without love,” and thus seek to transform the lives of our students, inspiring in them a lifelong commitment to service and citizenship.

St. Bonaventure embraces students, faculty and staff of all faiths and cultures and strives to bring out the best in every individual through meaningful relationships. As an academic and spiritual community, we endeavor to prepare our students for the challenges they will face in their professional careers and personal lives. Learn more at Mission & Values.


 


Discover more about SBU at the links below & learn why 9 out of 10 graduates say they would choose SBU again.

 

St. Bonaventure University

University Information

As an academic and spiritual community, we endeavor to prepare our students for the challenges they will face in their professional careers and personal lives.

University Information
Accreditations & Rankings

St. Bonaventure is recognized for academic excellence by distinctive accrediting organizations and is consistently rated as a top university in the Northeast.

Accreditations & Rankings
Directories & Administration

We are a community. Our faculty and staff dedicate themselves to making connections - among themselves, their courses and, most importantly, our students.

Directories & Administration
Career Opportunities

Exciting career opportunities are available at St. Bonaventure. Contact our Human Resources staff today.

Career Opportunities
History

Founded in 1858 to promote Catholic-Franciscan education, we continue to pursue academic excellence through personalized attention that reflects the Franciscan tradition of valuing human relationships.

History
Community Programs

We are an integral part of the Olean and Allegany communities and we take great pride in sharing our facilities and expertise with our neighbors.

Community Programs
Map & Directions

The St. Bonaventure University campus is spread over 500 acres in a valley surrounded by the Allegheny foothills of southwestern New York state, a region known as the Southern Tier.

Maps & Directions
Events & Conferences

A variety of banquet spaces, theaters, conference rooms, boardrooms and classrooms, along with an in-house catering team are available!

Events & Conferences
Artificial Intelligence

Learn how SBU embraces AI as a force for ethical innovation, combining transformative tech with a Catholic education in the Franciscan Tradition.

Artificial Intelligence

News & Events

SBU recognizes second BonaLeads cohort, eyes program growth

Jul 9, 2026, 10:55 by Thomas Missel
St. Bonaventure University recognized the successful completion of the second cohort of BonaLeads: President’s Leadership Academy this spring, marking another successful year for the leadership development program launched by President Jeff Gingerich and his wife, Betsy.
BonaLeads Cohort No. 2 with Dr. Jeff and Betsy Gingerich

St. Bonaventure University recognized the successful completion of the second cohort of BonaLeads: President’s Leadership Academy this spring, marking another successful year for the leadership development program launched by President Jeff Gingerich and his wife, Betsy.

BonaLeads was launched in 2024 to develop the leadership potential of faculty and staff members across the university. The program prepares participants to support St. Bonaventure’s mission and strategic vision more deeply by strengthening relationships across campus, increasing transparency, and encouraging collaboration across divisions and departments.

“BonaLeads has been a tremendous success in its first two years,” said Gingerich. “Betsy and I have been grateful for the opportunity to get to know these colleagues in a deeper way and to see their leadership, creativity and commitment to St. Bonaventure in action. The program has helped build stronger connections across campus, and we are excited to take what we have learned and continue strengthening BonaLeads for the future.”

With two cohorts now complete, the Gingeriches, along with co-facilitators Dr. Jack Steger and Lindsay Retchless, will spend the 2026-27 academic year analyzing program data, gathering feedback, reconnecting with participants from cohorts 1 and 2, and exploring opportunities to expand and strengthen BonaLeads in the years ahead.

The third cohort of BonaLeads: President’s Leadership Academy will be announced in spring 2027 for the 2027-28 academic year.

Participants in the 2025-26 BonaLeads: President’s Leadership Academy cohort included:

  • Chris Cartmill, Financial Aid
  • Dr. Adrienne Foos, School of Business
  • Tim Geiger, Technology Services
  • Seth Johnson, Athletics
  • Dr. Darla Kent, DePerro School of Health Professions
  • Dr. Matt King, School of Arts and Sciences
  • Jonathan Mascaut, Student Success Center
  • Molly Moretti, Career & Professional Readiness Center
  • Angela Nelson, Events & Conferences
  • Dawn Parisella, Human Resources
  • Gary Segrue, Safety & Security
  • Jared Smith, Finance & Administration
  • Sarah Wolcott, Athletics

“Programs like BonaLeads reflect our belief that leadership exists throughout the university,” Gingerich said. “As we look ahead, we want to be thoughtful about how the program continues to grow, how we support past participants, and how we create even more opportunities for faculty and staff to lead in ways that advance our mission.”

About the University: The nation’s first Franciscan university, St. Bonaventure University is a community committed to transforming the lives of our students inside and outside the classroom, inspiring in them a lifelong commitment to service and citizenship. Out of 167 regional universities in the North, St. Bonaventure was ranked #6 for value and #14 for innovation by U.S. News and World Report (2024).


 

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