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At Avila University, we do more than educate. We inspire. We equip students for an ever-changing world. We develop adaptive learners – learners who connect and engage. We prepare students for careers that do not yet exist. This is the Avila difference. Faculty and staff help students reach their full potential with one-on-one attention, active learning experiences, and co-curricular activities. For 100 years, Avila has been guided by the values of our founders – the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet – to serve the dear neighbor, turn potential into purpose, build on relationships and find connections. In this way, Avila prepares students to make responsible lifelong contributions to the global community. Our approach to education brings out the best in our students to bring out the best in others. Students leave Avila ready to make a difference. In short, we focus less on who comes to Avila and more on whom they become over time. An Avila University education prepares graduates for responsible life-long contributions to the contemporary world. The curriculum has well-defined outcomes and is designed to involve the student in the learning process. Through coursework and campus activities, the Avila student learns to communicate effectively, employ higher-level thinking skills, acquire knowledge in the liberal arts and a field of specialization, and develop personally, spiritually, and socially. More than just where you pick up your textbooks, Avila's bookstore is a convenient stop for school supplies, snacks, batteries, flash drives, and other items. It's also the university's mailroom where you can buy postage and send items via USPS, UPS, and FedEx. When it is time to show off your spirit, the bookstore is also your headquarters for all things Avila: apparel, bags, license plates, and more. Sometimes, you need someone to listen to. Avila's confidential counseling service helps our students handle college life's mental health challenges, such as academic anxieties, personal relationships, and homesickness. When it is time to look for a job or internship, do not go it alone. Career counselors can help you pick a significant, comb through job boards, and craft attention-getting resumes and cover letters. It is all about finding just the right place for you. Mock interviews are available to be better prepared for the job interview process and assessments to help determine majors and career workshops and presentations. Breaking down barriers for students and employees with disabilities is our goal. Through campus education and physical accommodations, Disability Services works to provide access to Avila's programs and activities while enabling students to live as independently as possible. At Avila, no one should face obstacles alone. At Avila, we want students to get the most from every class. If there is a course you are struggling with, consider taking advantage of our certified tutoring services. Tutors can help with math, writing, English, sciences, history, and computer courses. Do not let that first big test arrive while you are still feeling lost. Avila's Learning Commons is the campus research backbone for students and faculty. It is the place to get started for all your in-depth projects from archives and special collections to the best in searchable databases. Avila University, a Catholic University founded and inspired by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, provides undergraduate and graduate education in the liberal arts and professional studies, preparing lifelong learners who make meaningful contributions to the global community. Student success is the driving mission behind the Student Success Center, and our services are available to all students. We work to help students make a successful transition into college and continue to assist them throughout their college careers as they navigate the intellectual and social community of Avila University. We are all here for you. The road to today's modern institution of higher learning began in 1836 when the first Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet arrived in Missouri from the order's home in the Lyons region of France. In 1866, Mother Francis Joseph Ivory came to Kansas City to staff a small school incorporated as St. Teresa's Academy (in honor of St. Teresa of Avila) shortly after her arrival. In 1910, the school relocated to Main Street and, in 1916, became St. Teresa's College, a two-year college for women. The school's faculty of 15 sisters initially outnumbered the students. Five years later, in 1921, the University of Missouri accredited St. Teresa College. In 1930, the school became affiliated with St. Joseph Hospital's School of Nursing, a professional emphasis today at Avila. In 1940, while celebrating the 75th anniversary of the arrival of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet in Kansas City, the school became a four-year institution named College of St. Teresa. Six years later, it received accreditation from the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. With enrollment increasing, Avila's modern era began in 1963 when construction began on a much larger new campus in South Kansas City at 119th Street and Wornall Road. With the new location came a new name (Avila College), and classes began with only 70 percent complete. In 1965, Avila welcomed its first on-campus residents with the completion of Carondelet Hall. Another significant milestone occurred in 1969 when the university became fully coeducational. Varsity athletics, an essential aspect of life for many young men and women on campus, began in 1974, and the Mabee Fieldhouse, a modern indoor athletics center, opened in 1982. The university's official nickname was changed to the Eagles in 1990. Today, Avila continues to grow and expand as it continues to offer faith and values-based academic excellence in the spirit of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet. View full university