Welcome to Rockhurst University! We are proud to be a part of a Jesuit network of 27 universities and colleges in the United States and hundreds more around the world. The Jesuit tradition in higher education is more than 450 years old, and Rockhurst has been part of this heritage since 1910.

At Rockhurst, we focus on learning, leadership, and service in the Jesuit tradition while welcoming students of all faiths. These concepts are experienced in the instruction of the intellect, the training of the will, and the formation of character. St. Ignatius Loyola, the founder of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits), stressed that we were created to praise, revere, and serve God. He considered the goods of the earth, including education, as a means to assist us in the pursuit for which we were created.

Our online nursing programs are delivered by the reputable Saint Luke’s College of Nursing and Health Sciences. We are committed to preparing the health care workforce of tomorrow by offering undergraduate, graduate, and post-graduate programs for adult learners.

Our doctorate in education and leadership is entirely online and cohort-based. This type of learning environment helps you build your network and connect with other leaders in your field of practice so that you can champion diverse causes to make a tangible impact on educational practices in your community.

In the spirit of the Jesuit tradition, we have thoughtfully designed these programs and offer them to you in a flexible, online format to assist you in your pursuit of the purpose for which you were created.

Sincerely,

Sandra Cassady, Ph.D.

President of Rockhurst University

Sandra Cassady, Ph.D., began her tenure as the 15th president of Rockhurst University on June 27, 2022, the first lay and woman president in the institution’s history. She was inaugurated as president in November 2022, under the theme "We Are Called."

Cassady’s 30-year career in higher education includes roles both as a member of faculty and in administration at St. Ambrose University, a Catholic university enrolling over 3,000 students in Davenport, Iowa. In addition to a distinguished academic career, Cassady has held numerous administrative roles at St, Ambrose, including director of physical therapy, associate dean, and associate vice president for academic and student affairs. Cassady holds a bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of Northern Iowa and a certificate, master’s degree in physical therapy and Ph.D. in exercise science from the University of Iowa. She holds a graduate certificate in fundraising management from the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy at Indiana University.