About Alverno
Let us introduce ourselves.
We are a Catholic, Franciscan liberal arts college for women in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, expanding our mission through graduate and other programs that are open to all genders.
We are an inclusive, vibrant community of students, faculty and staff who support and uplift each other.
We are game changers. For more than 130 years, we’ve been transforming lives with our powerful combination of liberal arts education plus career readiness. Our pioneering abilities-based approach to education has been studied by others around the globe.
We are trailblazers. Nearly 70 percent of our incoming students are the first in their families to attend college. We are Wisconsin's first Hispanic-Serving Institution.
Alverno College Mission
Alverno College prepares women for lives of personal and professional distinction and meaningful engagement with the world. Alverno extends this mission by offering graduate and adult programs to women and men. Inspired by its Catholic, Franciscan and liberal arts heritage, the College intentionally creates an inclusive community that engages students in active and collaborative learning and fosters academic excellence.
Vision
To be the leading Catholic, Franciscan college inspiring passionate and principled leadership through transformational education.
We are Alverno Strong.
Founded
1887
Sponsored by the
School Sisters
of St. Francis
18,000+
Alverno Strong Alums Worldwide
— Lisa, social work majorOne thing I love about Alverno is that it’s not about school, it’s about life. Even though you’re pursuing an academic degree, Alverno teaches in such a way that it’s about your pursuit of life and how these skills are going to help you in life.
Living Our Mission & Values
Four major areas guide how Alverno prepares students for lives of personal and professional purpose:
Creating a Curriculum: Alverno’s faculty-designed curriculum is ability-based, focused on student outcomes and educational goals and integrated within a liberal arts approach. Rooted in the Catholic tradition, it fosters leadership and service while providing the flexibility to accommodate students’ educational goals, responsibilities and economic circumstances.
Creating a Community of Learning: Personal and professional development requires a community with clear expectations for faculty, staff and students. Across the College, we work together to help students meet those expectations, achieve their goals and contribute meaningfully to their community.
Creating Ties to the Community: Alverno develops and fosters relationships with businesses, nonprofit organizations and professionals across industries. These connections help us respond to the needs of a changing workplace and prepare students to enter their careers and become leaders in their communities.
Creating Relationships with Higher Education: As higher education evolves, Alverno remains committed to innovation, development, flexibility and continuous improvement. Our faculty and staff engage in the ongoing evaluation of teaching methods and scholarly and research activities to strengthen the educational experience.
