Avila Now

Avila University joins with the U.S. Federation of the Sisters of St. Joseph in condemning the violence at the Capitol.  It was an assault of the most serious nature, threatening elected leaders and attempting to thwart a democratic process, which led to the loss of life. It deserves a swift and sure response to hold those responsible to the fullest...

More than 20 students in the Avila School of Education earned their teaching certifications this December, with nearly half already working in the classroom. While the process for those students completing their certification requirements—or completers—remained the same, the need for teachers and substitutes increased this year due to the pandemic. “We found that due to...

Oct. 1, 2020 (KANSAS CITY, Mo.) The U.S. Department of Education recently awarded Avila University $2.2 million in funding through the Title III-Strengthening Institutions Program. This grant will support the development of Project RISE, a new initiative designed to increase graduation and persistence rates among Avila students. The grant will provide nearly $450,000 annually through...

Juneteenth is an annual U.S. holiday that is receiving even greater attention this year following the nationwide protests over racial inequity and injustice.  Juneteenth, is essentially a blend of the words June and nineteenth and it was created to honor the end of slavery in the United States. It marks the day in 1865 that...

More than 400 undergraduate students at Avila University earned dean’s list distinction for the spring 2020 semester. The dean’s list comprises undergraduate students who meet requirements in the Colleges of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences, Professional Schools and Science and Health. All full-time admitted undergraduate students are eligible for the dean’s list. To be included...

Dear Avila Community, I am saddened, angry, devastated. The hate, violence, oppression, and injustices that people of color and indigenous communities suffer daily is a centuries-old pandemic.  We must do more today to end the racism that has brought us to this point in history. We must come together to heed the call for justice...

Avila University is preparing its facilities, protocols, and procedures to open the campus for the Fall 2020 semester. “We can’t wait to see our students back on campus this fall,” said Avila President Ronald Slepitza, Ph.D., CSJA. “We are taking the steps now in preparation for whatever the CDC, the State of Missouri, and the...

As the fluid nature of the COVID-19 situation continues to evolve, so does the University’s response. Following the guidance of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), and Kansas City Mayor Lucas, that organizations avoid gatherings of more than 10 people for the next 15 days, and groups of 50 for at least another eight weeks,...

Avila University will join a growing number of colleges that do not require prospective students to submit an ACT or SAT score. President Ron Slepitza, Ph.D., CSJA announced the change after a meeting of Avila’s Board of Trustees on Wednesday.  “This suspension of standardized testing fits within Avila’s mission to lower barriers to higher education...

The wellbeing of all members of the Avila community is our highest priority. To that end, for the past six weeks, University officials have been closely monitoring the global threat posed by the new coronavirus (COVID-19). Now, with Avila’s spring break approaching and the virus spreading beyond China, we are writing to provide new information...