St. Ambrose University

St. Ambrose University—independent, diocesan and Catholic—enables its students to develop intellectually, spiritually, ethically, socially, artistically and physically to enrich their own lives and the lives of others. Vision :St. Ambrose will be recognized as a leading Midwestern university rooted in its diocesan heritage and Catholic Intellectual Tradition. Ambrosians are committed to academic excellence, the liberal arts, social justice and service. Joan Lescinski, CSJ, PhD, has been the president of St. Ambrose University since 2007. She is the 13th president of St. Ambrose. As St. Ambrose’s leader, Sister Joan is committed to the success of the university, and its faculty, staff and students. A long history of working with private, Catholic institutions has allowed her to work with campus constituencies to enhance the Catholic intellectual tradition at the university. A specialist in the 19th-century British novel, the president and professor of English has always enjoyed relating to students in the classroom and teaches on a regular basis. Her approach to teaching reflects many of the same guiding principles and values embodied by St. Ambrose. By encouraging her students to examine texts openly in their historical context, she is helping them understand how great art can be timeless and have an important message for today.