St. Catherine University's President

12/17/2025

So excited to share some wonderful news at St. Kate’s! 🌟

I am thrilled to be working even more closely with Anupama Pasricha, PhD, as she steps into her new role as President’s Senior Fellow for Leadership Integration, beginning January 5, 2026.

Dr. Pasricha has served St. Catherine University with extraordinary faithfulness, wisdom, and heart. Her commitment to our mission and to the holistic development of our students, faculty, and staff has been evident in every role she has held. Leadership development across our entire campus—and extending into our broader community—is not just important; it is essential to who we are and who we aspire to be.

As I shared in the announcement:

“I am grateful to Dr. Pasricha for taking this bold step forward to lead a team that will design leadership programming for the entire University, and excited to see the ways that she will contribute to our leadership-focused institutional priorities.”

This new role reflects our deep belief that leadership is everyone’s work and that cultivating leaders grounded in purpose, values, and service strengthens our entire community. I am energized by what lies ahead and confident that Dr. Pasricha’s vision and leadership will help us soar—together.

Congratulations, Anupama, and thank you for continuing to lead with such integrity and impact. 💙

St. Kate's congratulates Anupama Pasricha, PhD, on her new role: President’s Senior Fellow for Leadership Integration. Dr. Pasricha starts January 5, 2026.

“I am grateful to Dr. Pasricha for taking this bold step forward to lead a team that will design leadership programming for the entire University, and excited to see the ways that she will contribute to our leadership-focused institutional priorities,” said President Evans in her announcement.

https://bit.ly/4aNmPBZ

11/12/2025

💜 Today is the day! 💛

It’s Give to St. Kate’s Day, and we need you. Your generosity fuels dreams, opens doors, and changes lives. Every gift — large or small — helps provide scholarships that make a St. Kate’s education possible for students who are ready to soar.

When you give, you’re not just supporting one student — you’re investing in generations of women who will lead, serve, and make the world better.

✨ Please consider giving now. Together, we can make an extraordinary impact. ✨

[🔗 Give now: stkate.edu/give]

Gifts to St. Catherine University help to drive a powerful force for good through the development of ethical leaders. Learn about giving to St. Kate's.

11/11/2025

Honoring Our Heroes — A Reflection on Veterans Day 🇺🇸

Today, I pause to honor the incredible men and women who have served this nation—especially those in my own family whose courage and conviction run deep in my soul.

My father and stepfather, along with many other family members, answered the call to serve a country that has not always loved them in return. Their service, as African Americans, was not only an act of duty—it was an act of faith. Faith that this nation could one day live up to its promise of liberty and justice for all.

My stepfather trained as a pilot in Tuskegee—yes, Tuskegee. A place that symbolizes excellence, discipline, and defiance in the face of systemic racism. He was dishonorably discharged after punching his commanding officer for calling him a racial slur. Years later, after serving honorably in the White House, his record was rightfully corrected, and he was reinstated with the honorable discharge he always deserved.

This story—and so many like it—reminds me that patriotism can be complex. It’s not blind allegiance. It’s love tested through pain, service offered despite injustice, and faith in a better tomorrow even when the present feels undeserving.

So today, I honor them all—the soldiers, the dreamers, the freedom fighters—especially those who fought for a country that didn’t always fight for them. Your sacrifice and dignity light the path for us all.

May we never forget. May we always honor. And may we keep pushing this nation toward the ideals for which you stood. ❤️🤍💙

11/09/2025

What an afternoon to remember! ⚽️ My first MN United game turned into a celebration of community, purpose, and resilience — not to mention an incredible comeback win as the Loons advanced to the semi-finals! 💜💛

At halftime (yes, in the low 30s 🥶 — thank goodness for my cute hat!), St. Catherine University’s Center for Community Work and Learning was brought out onto the field and recognized with the L’Etoile Du Nord Award from Minnesota United FC and Target. As our video played on the big screen, I couldn’t help but feel an overwhelming sense of pride for our phenomenal faculty and staff who live our core values every single day.

I was honored to stand alongside Provost Denise Baird, D’Ann Urbaniak Lesch, and the CWL team — Sophie Hunt, Rachel Droogsma, Abigail Takahashi, Allyson Green, and Jasmine Koch — as well as Lorissa Gottschalk, Rafael Cervantes, Jennifer Biggs, and Colleen Sulamoyo. We even met up with fellow Katies Sean Fitzpatrick, Laura Gilchrist, and John Pellegrini after the presentation to celebrate!

Huge thanks to Jen Winterfeldt, Minnesota United FC, and Target for this incredible honor — and for giving us a night filled with joy, teamwork, and community pride.

Go Loons and Katies! 💜💛

08/13/2025

This morning, I had the honor of joining the Coalition of Asian American Leaders, Minnesota Humanities Center, K-12 Superintendents from Minneapolis and St. Paul, and other colleagues from across the Twin Cities for a beautiful breakfast celebrating the phenomenal Dr. Beverly Daniel Tatum and her groundbreaking contributions to education.

Dr. Tatum’s wisdom and legacy continue to inspire so many of us who believe in the power of higher education to transform lives. I was thrilled to receive an early signed copy of her new book: College Leadership in Turbulent Times: Peril and Promise — a timely and important read for all of us navigating today’s challenges in higher education.

At St. Catherine University, 14% of our students are of Asian descent, and we are committed to deepening our partnerships with the community to ensure their success — and the success of all our students. It was especially meaningful to have our SVP of Student Affairs, Equity, and Belonging Jacqueline N. Font-Guzmán, PhD, JD, MHA (She/Her/Ella) join me for these important conversations about how we can better meet the needs of those we serve.

Thank you to the organizers for including both me and St. Catherine University in this gathering of leaders, changemakers, and friends. My heart is full, and my commitment to our students is stronger than ever.

07/15/2025

Today marks one year since I humbly and joyfully stepped into the role of President of St. Catherine University.

It’s hard to put into words the depth of my gratitude for what this year has meant—for me, for my husband , and for my calling. From the very beginning, we were welcomed with open arms and open hearts, embraced by a community deeply rooted in purpose, faith, and fierce commitment to justice.

What I have come to know more deeply with each passing day is that St. Kate’s is not just a university—it is a transformative force. It is a living, breathing embodiment of our mission: to educate women to lead and influence, guided by the love of God and our neighbors without distinction.

Education is powerful. It does more than equip minds—it liberates spirits, breaks cycles, and reshapes family legacies for generations to come. I’ve seen it in the eyes of our students. I’ve heard it in the testimonies of alumnae who were the first in their families to attend college. And I’ve felt it in the sacred spaces where faculty and staff walk beside students with unwavering belief in their potential.

This past year has been one of great joy, some challenge, and deep reflection. We’ve launched initiatives, built new partnerships, and celebrated the quiet and loud victories of our students. And yet, this is only the beginning.

As I look to the future, I do so with hope and determination—because I know what education can do. It transforms not only individual lives, but entire communities. It teaches us to see the world—and each other—with compassion, courage, and clarity. At St. Kate’s, that transformation is happening every single day.

I am excited to continue this journey with all of you—students, faculty, staff, alumnae, trustees, partners, and friends—as we soar together into a future shaped by bold dreams and a shared commitment to justice, equity, and love without distinction.

To every person who has welcomed us, supported us, prayed for us, and worked beside us—thank you. I am better because of you. St. Kate’s is stronger because of you.

With deep gratitude and purpose💕🌻

06/14/2025

Today, our hearts weep for the families of Melissa and Mark Hortman, and of John and Yvette Hoffman. Their lives were forever changed this morning by an act of senseless, politically motivated violence. We hold close in prayer the memory of Representative Melissa and Mark Hortman and lift up John and Yvette Hoffman as we pray for their healing and recovery.

Minnesota has lost a courageous and principled leader. Born and raised in this state, Representative Hortman devoted her life to public service with an unyielding commitment to justice, equity, and the common good. She was a fierce advocate, a mentor to countless women in leadership, and a voice of integrity during difficult times. Her legacy will live on in those she inspired—and in the generations who will rise because she paved the way.

As a university community committed to the pursuit of knowledge, justice, and compassion, let us draw near to one another in this moment of sorrow. May we honor Representative Hortman’s memory by engaging deeply with our shared humanity, listening to one another with open hearts, and transforming our differences into the foundation of a more just and peaceful world.
May peace surround the families affected by this tragedy, and may love lead us forward.

06/14/2025

Today, our hearts weep for the families of Melissa and Mark Hortman, and of John and Yvette Hoffman. Their lives were forever changed this morning by an act of senseless, politically motivated violence. We hold close in prayer the memory of Representative Melissa Hortman and lift up John and Yvette Hoffman as we pray for their healing and recovery.

Minnesota has lost a courageous and principled leader. Born and raised in this state, Representative Hortman devoted her life to public service with an unyielding commitment to justice, equity, and the common good. She was a fierce advocate, a mentor to countless women in leadership, and a voice of integrity during difficult times. Her legacy will live on in those she inspired—and in the generations who will rise because she paved the way.

As a university community committed to the pursuit of knowledge, justice, and compassion, let us draw near to one another in this moment of sorrow. May we honor Representative Hortman’s memory by engaging deeply with our shared humanity, listening to one another with open hearts, and transforming our differences into the foundation of a more just and peaceful world.
May peace surround the families affected by this tragedy, and may love lead us forward.

05/28/2025

What a year it has been!

03/05/2025

12/02/2024

What an honor to sit across from .MPR this morning to talk about navigating change in higher education. Thank you again, Angela!

ICYMI, you can listen here: https://bit.ly/3CVRnmp