In its first ten years of educating first generation and other underserved students, Dougherty Family College at the University of St Thomas is reflecting on its impact.
Some 500 DFC students have earned associates degrees from the program embedded at St Thomas in the past decade. Around 200 of them have gone on to receive four year degrees; several have earned masters degrees and last year, one DFC alumni graduated from law school.
“My heart is full of gratitude. I’m humbled to be on the journey and accompany our scholars,” said DFC founding dean Buffy Smith. “They are transformational leaders who are well positioned to change their lives, their communities and the world, for good.”
It was ten years ago that Dougherty Family College welcomed its inaugural cohort of students to the downtown Minneapolis campus of the University of St Thomas. The DFC community of scholars, staff, faculty, donors and community supporters recently gathered there for a celebration event to mark the decade of impact.
DFC has built a reputation for creating an environment for success in higher education for promising students from diverse and low income communities.
“College was not in my plans. It was for those who had money, those who knew the language,” said Cesar Mendez.
Enrolling at DFC changed the course of Mendez’s life and future. After graduating in 2021 from DFC with his associate degree, he went on to earn both bachelors and master’s degrees; today he is the Restorative Justice and Diversion Coordinator for Hennepin County.
“Now I’m using my education to help others,” he said.
DFC’s “special sauce” for creating success for its students lies in its wraparound support services involving small classes, tutoring, mentorship and paid internships. DFC students get free books, laptops, meals and transportation assistance as part of their enrollment in the private college.
“These students are dreaming so big. That’s exciting!” said Kelly Wolle of Minneapolis. , A supporter of the program, she attended the celebration and applauded the staff, faculty and students for their achievements.
“What stands out to me is that DFC doesn’t just help these promising students to get into college,” she said. “They’re surrounded by the staff and faculty who believe in them and give them what they need to achieve and thrive.”
DFC’s first decade has created impressive results. According to DFC's 2025 Report to the Community, DFC scholars were found to be 2.2 times more likely to earn an associate degree and 3.2 times more likely to earn a bachelor's degree when compared to all Minnesota community college students.
Lily Hagberg earned her associates degree from DFC and is now a Fisheries, Wildlife & Conservation Biology major at the University of Minnesota, expecting to graduate with her bachelor’s degree in 2028.
She credits DFC with setting her on her path to higher education.
“I had almost no plan for college. I didn’t think it would be something that I could either hold down or be able to afford,” Hagberg said. “DFC was the prefect middle ground for me. It prepared me and gave me the tools to go to a four year school.” “
Even as the decade of achievements at DFC are being acknowledged, the leadership team at the college is keeping their collective eye on the future and building on the first ten years of success.
“Our scholars, graduates, are emerging leaders. In the next ten years, I know they will become senior leaders, managers, CEOs,” said Dean Smith.
“The best is still yet to come. We are a great college now. In the next ten years we will become an exceptional college,” she said.
