SEU Cares: Living the Mission Through Compassion and Action

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MORRISTOWN, N.J. — Throughout its history, Saint Elizabeth University (SEU) has stood as a beacon of compassion, faith, and action. Founded by the Sisters of Charity and guided by the principles of Catholic social teaching, the university has long been committed to meeting students where they are and empowering them to reach their fullest potential. Today, that mission takes on renewed meaning with the launch of SEU Cares, a new university-wide initiative designed to ensure that every member of the SEU family feels supported, valued, and cared for.

Announced by President Gary B. Crosby, Ph.D., SEU Cares represents more than a program – it is an embodiment of Saint Elizabeth University’s enduring values. “SEU Cares reflects who we are and what we believe,” said Dr. Crosby. “Our mission is not only something we teach, but something we live.”

The idea for SEU Cares arose from a simple but urgent truth: students cannot thrive academically if their basic needs go unmet. Food insecurity, housing instability, and unexpected personal crises have become increasingly common challenges for college students nationwide, and Saint Elizabeth University has seen these struggles firsthand. In response, SEU Cares strengthens the university’s collective capacity to act with compassion and purpose, creating a safety net that ensures no student faces hardship alone.

The initiative focuses on three key areas. The first is the Emergency Aid Fund, which provides immediate financial assistance to students facing crises related to food, housing, or other unexpected expenses. Whether it is helping a student replace stolen textbooks, cover rent in an emergency, or afford groceries for their family, the fund offers direct, tangible relief when it matters most. The second area centers on expanding campus resources, including the SEU Food Pantry, which serves students and their families. By strengthening partnerships with local community organizations, the university can provide greater access to essential supplies and services, ensuring that help is never out of reach. The third focus area is navigational support—dedicated resources to help students and families connect with government programs and community-based aid. From applying for SNAP benefits to identifying childcare assistance or affordable transportation, SEU Cares aims to simplify the process of getting help and to remove the stigma often associated with asking for it.

For Dr. Crosby, this initiative is as much about identity as it is about support. “Our pursuit of excellence in teaching and learning can only be fulfilled when our students’ basic needs are met,” he said. “Through SEU Cares, we reaffirm that at Saint Elizabeth University, no one walks alone.” That message of solidarity echoes the university’s founding spirit, reminding the SEU community that compassion and service are not ancillary to its mission—they are its foundation.

SEU Cares also invites participation from every corner of the university community. Faculty, staff, students, alumni, and friends are all encouraged to take part in this shared effort. Opportunities to volunteer include staffing the food pantry, organizing supply drives, or assisting with community outreach programs. Financial contributions to the Sister Hildegard Mahoney Emergency Aid Fund directly support students in crisis, ensuring that even small donations have a profound and immediate impact. In addition, members of the community can donate non-perishable goods to the SEU Food Pantry or to local food pantries in their own neighborhoods. Every act of giving, no matter the size, strengthens the collective impact of SEU Cares.

What makes SEU Cares distinct is its deep alignment with Saint Elizabeth University’s legacy of faith in action. From its earliest days, the university has empowered generations of students to lead lives of purpose and service. SEU Cares continues that tradition, but it also expands it, reminding the entire community that compassion begins on campus. It is an acknowledgment that leadership is measured not only by achievement, but by the willingness to lift others up.

As Saint Elizabeth University moves forward, SEU Cares stands as both a reflection and a renewal of its mission. Guided by the enduring spirit of the Sisters of Charity, SEU continues to meet this moment with grace, integrity, and hope. Through service, solidarity, and love, the university reaffirms that caring for one another is not a gesture, it is a way of life.

To learn more about SEU Cares and how you can get involved, visit www.steu.edu/seucares.

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