Founded in 1913 and 1857 respectively, the College of Saint Benedict (CSB) and Saint John's University (SJU) are two distinct higher education institutions in central Minnesota that engage in a unique partnership. Located roughly six miles apart, the College of Saint Benedict in St. Joseph is a women's college, while Saint John's University in Collegeville is a men's institution. Together, they form a cooperative educational environment encompassing over 3,600 undergraduate students. This alliance allows them to offer a combined curriculum and share resources, providing students with a broad range of academic and extracurricular opportunities on two expansive, picturesque campuses.
One of the most distinctive features of the CSB/SJU partnership is their coordinate relationship-the only one of its kind in the United States where two nationally recognized liberal arts institutions are closely linked. The students at both colleges participate in a fully integrated academic program and attend coeducational classes together on both campuses. Unique academic programs such as their study abroad ventures, which rank consistently high nationally, offer students the chance to participate in one of the many diverse programs, including their own faculty-led programs-extending learning well beyond the traditional classroom. Notably, the Benedictine heritage deeply influences the campuses, encouraging a holistic approach to education, fostering a balance between academic pursuits, spiritual growth, and personal development.
Underlining the strengths of the CSB/SJU collegiate partnership, recent achievements include receiving commendations for commitment to undergraduate research, a strong emphasis on service-learning, and an environmentally conscious approach that is woven into both campuses' modalities. These institutions have a robust record of fostering leadership skills, particularly through their well-regarded experiential learning programs, which prepare students to make meaningful contributions to their communities. The CSB/SJU joint sustainability efforts have received national recognition, demonstrating a commitment to environmental stewardship that resonates with the student body and faculty alike.
Despite their unique cooperative model and many strengths, CSB and SJU face certain shared challenges. For example, as small liberal arts colleges, they must continuously work to secure funding and resources to maintain and expand their programs, an issue exacerbated by a national trend of declining enrollments in liberal arts institutions. Moreover, their rural location, while providing a serene educational setting, may pose limitations on professional opportunities and internships for students, in contrast to those available in urban settings. To address these challenges, both colleges endeavor to create strong alumni networks and partnerships with businesses and organizations that can provide a bridge between academic experiences and professional opportunities.
