SXU Awarded $3 Million Federal Grant from U.S. Department of Education
Saint Xavier University (SXU) has been awarded a $3 million federal grant (SI000565D26) through the U.S. Department of Education's Title III Part A Strengthening Institutions Program (SIP) to launch Project LEAP (Learning, Exploration, Achievement, and Pathways), a comprehensive five-year initiative designed to strengthen academic programs, expand career opportunities, and improve student success and workforce outcomes.
The grant's project period, October 1, 2026, through September 30, 2031, represents a significant investment in SXU's institutional capacity and its longstanding commitment to providing accessible, high-quality education that prepares students for meaningful careers and lifelong success.
Founded in 1846 by the Sisters of Mercy, Saint Xavier serves a student population that includes a substantial percentage of first-generation college students and Pell Grant recipients. Project LEAP is designed to strengthen the connection between academic learning and professional opportunities, ensuring students have access to the resources, experiences, and networks necessary to thrive in an increasingly competitive and rapidly evolving workforce.
Project LEAP will establish a comprehensive Career Pathways and Workforce Readiness Infrastructure that connects academic programs, faculty development, employer partnerships, experiential learning, career coaching, and post-graduation outcomes.
"This investment represents an extraordinary opportunity to advance Saint Xavier University's mission while preparing our students for the opportunities and challenges of tomorrow. Through Project LEAP, we will strengthen the connection between academic excellence and career preparation, expand partnerships with employers, and give our students the tools and experiences they need to succeed beyond graduation. Most importantly, this initiative reflects our commitment to ensuring that a Saint Xavier education opens doors to opportunity, professional success, and economic mobility," said SXU President Keith Elder, Ph.D.
Project LEAP aligns with SXU's strategic plan, Innovate 2028, which prioritizes student success, academic innovation, institutional effectiveness, and sustainable growth. Through this investment, Saint Xavier will continue advancing its Mercy mission to serve wisely and compassionately in support of human dignity and the common good while strengthening educational access, career preparation, and economic opportunity for the students and communities it serves.
"For many of our students, particularly those who are the first in their families to attend college, education represents hope, opportunity, and the possibility of a better future. But earning a degree is only one part of that journey. We also need to ensure that students have access to the professional networks, experiences, and guidance that help turn their aspirations into meaningful careers. SXU is great at this already, but Project LEAP will give us the capacity to increase those connections, creating opportunities that can transform not only the lives of our students but also the lives of their families and the communities they will serve," said Imelda Macías, Ed.D., assistant vice president for the Office of Family and Community Engagement.