The Pioneer Journey

A transformative education that engages hearts in mind, body and spirit

In just two words, “Pioneer Journey” expresses what makes Sacred Heart University special. It’s what drives SHU to be a student-centered community rooted in the Catholic intellectual tradition and the liberal arts.

What is the Pioneer Journey?

The Pioneer Journey helps our students connect the dots across their whole SHU experience. The Pioneer Journey calls for diverse encounters and challenging conversations, celebrating new ideas and big achievements, and serving others while nourishing an open mind.

The Five Pillars of the Pioneer Journey

You will find five pillars supporting every aspect of the SHU student experience: in class, on the field, around the Chapel quad, on the stage, studying abroad at SHU Dingle, at 63's, learning through a group project, in the residence halls and everywhere Pioneers go on this journey together.

• Knowledge
• Faith
• Integrity
• Service
• Community

Why the Pioneer Journey?

Time dedicated to learning can be disorienting. Sometimes a vital new idea turns our understanding of the world and ourselves upside down. We can forget how and where we are going … and why we left home in the first place! The Pioneer Journey helps every SHU student navigate and be ready for an unknown future.

The Pioneer Journey invites our students to realize that their time at Sacred Heart University is more than a waiting room for the “real world.” Pioneers are already on their way forward. Pioneers learn how to value a long tradition of enduring wisdom and learn how to read and respond to “the signs of the times,” the needs of our present moment. The Pioneer Journey explains why some of the most important lessons might come from your least favorite class. But changing your major, chasing a dream role or exploring a new career path can be a good thing. Because we are Pioneers on a journey together, SHU students develop skills to take risks and work together, to reflect deeply and to speak truth, to lead by serving others and feel at home as a leader. The SHU community will be right alongside you, but an education can only be transformative if you get involved and engage your heart.

How We Journey

Two key practices enable your Pioneer Journey: intentional reflection and courageous civil discourse.

Intentional Reflection

Intentional reflection integrates everything that we do. The Pioneer Journey shows how the big questions raised by the liberal arts impact the decisions made on the playing field, about life and love, and on the job. Becoming a Pioneer means engaging your heart: really showing up and bringing your insights from intentional reflection every step of the way.

Courageous Civil Discourse

The Pioneer Journey will challenge you to participate in courageous civil discourse. You will learn to recognize the role you play in a community and how to champion human dignity and the common good, share and develop your ideas, and add your voice to ongoing conversations that matter for our families, communities and planet. Pioneers are active communicators and collaborative problem solvers–you’ll work with your peers to create a future we have yet to build.

More Resources

“The Pioneering Heart” by Charles Gillespie 
Sacred Heart University Magazine

“Framing the Narrative with a New Role”  
Inside Higher Education

Pioneer Journey Advisory Committee

The Pioneer Journey Advisory Committee is a group of faculty and staff from across the University excited to support the Pioneer Journey and develop new initiatives and programs. If you are a member of the SHU community and interested in joining, contact gillespiec4@sacredheart.edu.