Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College

Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College, established in 1840 by Saint Mother Theodore Guerin, holds a unique and significant place in American higher education. Founded as an academy for young women by Mother Theodore and five Sisters of Providence, this institution quickly became a beacon of learning. Mother Theodore, despite initial reluctance, proved to be an exceptional leader, culminating in her canonization as Indiana's first saint in 2006. This commitment to intellectual and spiritual growth laid the groundwork for a college dedicated to nurturing well-rounded individuals.

From its earliest days, SMWC demonstrated a pioneering spirit. In 1846, it received Indiana's first charter for the higher education of women, a landmark achievement. The college continued to break new ground, being the first women's college to offer journalism courses and degree work in fields like secondary education, home economics, and secretarial science. As opportunities for women expanded, so did SMWC's curriculum, embracing fields such as business, computer information systems, equine studies, psychology, and nursing, ensuring its students were prepared for evolving professional landscapes.

SMWC is also recognized as an innovator in distance education, introducing one of the nation's first independent study programs, the Women's External Degree (WED) program, in 1973. This commitment to flexible learning evolved, opening to men in 2005 through the Woods Online program, and culminating in all campus-based programs becoming fully coeducational in 2015. Today, SMWC serves over 1,100 students through its diverse campus and online offerings, including associate, bachelor's, and three distinctive master's degrees in Art Therapy, Music Therapy, and Leadership Development, providing advanced, accessible education for a global community. Its motto, "Virtus cum Scientia" (Virtue and Knowledge United), continues to guide its mission.