The Mission Priority Examen (MPE) is a regular process for each Jesuit university in the United States to reflect upon its Jesuit Catholic mission, to recognize both areas of success and areas for growth, and to strengthen its commitment to the mission as the university moves forward.
The MPE was first piloted in 2016 and was developed by the Presidents of the Association of Jesuit Colleges and University (see AJCU Mission Priority Examen Website) at the request of and in collaboration with the Society of Jesus (the Jesuits) which sponsors each Jesuit university through its regional provinces.
Seattle University is one of five colleges and universities on the west coast sponsored by the Jesuits West Province, (see Jesuits West Province Universities) so our MPE process is a collaborative undertaking with the leadership of both the AJCU and the Jesuits West Province.
The MPE is named after the “Ignatian Examen,” a daily reflection practice outlined by the founder of the Jesuits, St. Ignatius of Loyola, which is intended to help cultivate a deeper awareness of the lights and shadows in one’s life as a means of moving to more intentional and authentic action.
In a similar fashion but at a collective level, the MPE is intended to serve as a helpful way for each Jesuit university to periodically reflect on its mission and life as an institution and to continue to express itself with intention and authenticity.
The broad goals of the MPE for each Jesuit university are to:
Ideally, at the conclusion of the process, each university identifies two-to-four broad Jesuit Mission Priorities on which to concentrate for the next five years.
Seattle University completed its first Mission Priority Examen in 2017, which included a reflection and consultation process, a written report summarizing findings, a site visit by a team of colleagues from the AJCU, and endorsement and encouragement by the Society of Jesus following their review of the materials.
The current year marks a timely moment for SU to pursue its second MPE, to review progress on priorities identified in 2017 and to articulate mission priorities for the next five years that can help shape the foundational goal of our Reigniting Strategic Directions plan.
Seattle University is pursuing its Mission Priority Examen over the course of a 15-month period with the following milestones:
The Steering Committee is chaired by the Vice President for Mission Integration and is charged with designing, facilitating and guiding the consultation and listening process, as well as preparing the written report to summarize its findings, and hosting the AJCU site team when it visits the campus. Please find information about the Steering Committee.
We welcome the participation of all members of the Seattle University community in the Mission Priority Examen process, and there are a range of ways to get involved.
The MPE website will be the primary vehicle for Seattle University to provide updates on the progress of the MPE. Please visit this site periodically to stay appraised of the process.
There is a range of online resources available to learn more about the Mission Priority Examen, many of which are located under Resources on the MPE website.
Please email us at MPE2024.
