An Empowering Education
The most important milestone in a student’s life at St. Edward’s is not the graduate procession out the red doors of Main Building, but the day that freshmen enter through those doors as part of their induction into our academic community. On that day, the horizons of opportunity, self-fulfillment and professional accomplishment open wider than any student thinks possible.
Our students arrive at a liberal arts university in one of the most creative and economically resilient cities in the nation. The university is deeply rooted in the Austin community, but we have a global mindset. This perspective is manifested in partnerships with universities in 19 countries around the world, where our students study and develop an international worldview.
Students learn in small classes that encourage intellectual discussion. They engage in off-campus projects and internships as part of a St. Edward’s education that emphasizes real-world experiences and takes advantage of Austin’s resources.
“The university’s Holy Cross mission, which has guided us throughout our history, compels us never to educate the mind at the expense of the heart.”
All students at St. Edward’s explore transformational pathways to knowledge, understanding and self-discovery. Our holistic approach integrates classroom and co-curricular learning, opening doors to a diversity of experiences that challenge students with different, even contrary viewpoints. In turn, students are roused from passive, comfortable thinking and expand their perspectives through exposure to new ideas. These learning experiences train, inform and sharpen the mind, preparing it for a lifetime of identifying, exploring and analyzing problems yet to be encountered and solved.
The university’s Holy Cross mission, which has guided us throughout our history, compels us never to educate the mind at the expense of the heart. By learning with their hearts to respect, value and love others — even those different from themselves — students learn that all people are equally entitled to fairness, kindness and justice. They also learn that education is about more than learning, intellectual growth and preparation for vocation. It is about understanding one’s role in advancing the cause of social justice in the world.
This distinctive education has led our students to win more than 175 prestigious national and international academic awards, including 66 Fulbright grants since 2008. Year after year, they are accepted into the world’s most prestigious graduate and professional schools. And graduates who move directly into their careers see high job placement within a year after graduation.
When our students proceed out the red doors as graduates, they do so empowered to make a difference in their world. The perspectives and skills imparted at St. Edward’s guide them as they become future leaders, prepared to address the world’s most pressing problems.

George E. Martin, PhD, President of St. Edward’s University
George E. Martin joined St. Edward’s in 1999. In his time on the hilltop, undergraduate enrollment has doubled, and St. Edward’s has been ranked a top-25 university in the Western Region for 17 consecutive years by U.S. News & World Report.
President Martin’s Career Highlights
Education
- PhD, Fordham University
- MA, Fordham University
- BA, St. John's University
Career Highlights
- Entered faculty service in 1969 as a member of the St. Peter’s College Political Science Department; became chairman in 1976
- Academic dean of St. Peter’s College from 1985 to 1991 then became academic vice president
- Inaugurated as president of St. Edward’s University in October 1999
St. Edward’s University Highlights: 1999–2019
- Doubled size of freshman class
- Increased six-year graduation rate to 70%
- Increased undergraduate enrollment by 55%
- Achieved recognition as a top-25 regional university in the Western Region by U.S. News & World Report for 17 years in a row
- Increased total fundraising to $192 million
- Championed student achievements, leading to more than 175 prestigious scholarships, fellowships and awards since 2008, including 66 Fulbright awards
- Formed global partnerships to create a spectrum of educational programs around the world
- Honored by the St. Edward’s Board of Trustees with the creation of the Dr. George E. Martin Presidential Scholarship Endowment. The $1.5 million fund is designed to assist academically gifted students to participate in global experiences, pursue personal research programs and compete for prestigious academic awards
President Martin’s Civic Involvements
- American Council on Education (ACE), board member
- Council of Independent Colleges, chair of the board
- Independent Colleges and Universities of Texas, chair of the board
- Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities, board member
- Association of American Colleges and Universities, President’s Trust for Liberal Education and America’s Promise (LEAP)
- National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities
- Campus Compact, board member
- Ballet Austin, board member
- Austin Symphony Honorary Advisory Council
- Caritas Community Advisory Board
- Austin Area Research Organization
- Tuesday Club
- The New American Colleges and Universities (NAC&U), board member

Meet Our Leadership
The university’s leadership team and Board of Trustees provide a depth of experience, a passion for education and a dedication to service. Their valuable insights help us meet our goal of providing transformational pathways to knowledge, experience, understanding and achievement for every student.