Four pillars drive student success at CCSJ
Calumet College of St. Joseph (CCSJ) launched our “A+ Initiative” as part of our strategic plan of cultivating a vibrant and inclusive campus community. This initiative aims to help students thrive — in the classroom and beyond — by boosting opportunities to connect, grow, and build a life of purpose. The A+ Initiative is a concerted effort to engage students through the four “A’s” — academics, activities, arts, and athletics, providing them with a sense of belonging and community that they will carry with them through graduation and beyond.
Academics: Building knowledge and confidence
The pursuit of knowledge is central to every college experience, and at CCSJ, our students’ academic endeavors result in more than a diploma. Students are building the knowledge, skills, and confidence that will propel them forward as they go out into the world. The college works closely with students, faculty, and the surrounding communities to provide holistic, experiential learning opportunities. Outside of coursework, CCSJ has co-curricular clubs like the Future Educators of CCSJ and Next Gen. Business Club, to name a few, that give students the chance to use their studies in real-world applications and build deeper connections with faculty and peers.
Activities: Connecting through community
Outside of academics, college is about making meaningful connections and lifelong friendships. At CCSJ, many of these friendships are initiated at campus activities or formed through club participation. With fourteen student-led organizations providing leadership opportunities and hosting campus events along with community engagement and volunteerism, CCSJ offers a diverse collection of opportunities for engagement in activities. From organizing fundraisers to learning new wellness techniques by practicing yoga with goats, a packed activities calendar creates an engaging campus atmosphere and allows easy access for students to expand their networks, explore new interests, and develop leadership and teamwork skills.
Arts: Encouraging self-expression and creativity
For some individuals, the arts are already a part of their academic requirements. However, even for non-arts majors, CCSJ offers a variety of creative outlets for students to express their ideas through music, visual arts, and writing. From the Creative Writing Club and our Against the Grain literary journal to exhibition opportunities in the Bernard Gallery and jam sessions with the new Wave Pep Band, there are many ways for students to engage with their artistic side. Innovation often begins with imagination. By engaging in their creativity, students gain strength in their ability to adapt, think on their feet, and solve problems, while also exploring different ways to see and connect with the world around them.
Athletics: Strengthening discipline and school spirit
Athletics is about more than competition and trophies — it’s about building discipline, accountability, and perseverance. For student-athletes, participation in sports fosters leadership, respect for their teammates, and sportsmanship. For non-athletes, Crimson Wave athletics boosts camaraderie and school spirit as they attend games and cheer on their peers through the highs of championship wins and through the lows of tough losses. Athletics, whether on the field or in the stands, teaches the value of putting in the hard work and continuing to show up even after difficult days.
Beyond the classroom: Growth that lasts
Calumet College of St. Joseph’s mission, informed by the values of its founding religious community, the Missionaries of the Precious Blood (C.PP.S.), is to cultivate the academic, spiritual, and ethical development of our students by affirming the inherent dignity of all people, promoting social justice and an ethic of service, and providing opportunity and empowerment. The A+ Initiative speaks to this mission by providing students with a variety of ways to connect and enhance their college experience, while preparing them for leadership, service, and success after college.