Benefits of a Small University (1:19)
Welcome to the Hill
Curriculum with purpose.
Established on five critical concerns—earth, immigration, nonviolence, racism, and women—Mount Mercy’s curriculum guides students in exploring and working towards a more just, equal, and peaceful world. Hands-on work often accompanies classroom learning, giving students the experience needed to start their careers with confidence in a variety of newly-developed skills and knowledge.
Founded on academic excellence.
Mount Mercy was founded on academic excellence, offering students a values-based curriculum. The university’s accomplished faculty is easily accessible with a faculty/student ratio of 14:1. Our 1,600+ students are often involved in faculty-led research and career-oriented internships with local, national, and global organizations.
Focused on outcomes.
97% of MMU alumni are employed or in graduate school within nine months of graduation. With 75% of alumni residing in Iowa and 50% living in the Cedar Rapids/Iowa City Corridor, students have a close-knit network of professionals to engage with.
Housed on a hill.
Nestled in Cedar Rapids’ historical Mound View neighborhood, Mount Mercy’s main campus is safe, charming, and full of life.
Vibrant campus life.
With 25+ student clubs and organizations, students can connect with others who share similar values and interests. Campus Ministry engages students and encourages exploration of faith through mass, spiritual direction, reflection groups, service learning, and volunteer opportunities.
Sustainability
Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the future
Our Mission
Mount Mercy is a Catholic University that provides student-focused education in the spirit of the Sisters of Mercy and welcomes people of all beliefs to join our community in pursuit of baccalaureate and graduate education and compassionate service to those in need. We strive for excellence in accomplishing our mission through four interdependent goals:
The ability to think clearly and carefully, argue coherently, and evaluate competing truth claims critically are fundamental to a college education. Reflective judgment requires a knowledge of basic fact, examination, and evaluation of assumptions; adequate justification for drawing a conclusion; and understanding the implications of drawing that conclusion. With these skills, individuals can solve problems creatively and integrate knowledge across disciplines.
Strategic communication requires selecting from a range of options to accomplish a chosen goal in an ethical manner. These options include construction and interpretation of messages in written, oral, and aesthetic forms using appropriate technology.
The common good is at the heart of Catholic social teaching. Because people are social by nature, every individual’s good relates necessarily to the common good, the sum of social conditions that allows all people to reach their human potential more fully. It includes respect for, and ethical interaction with, every person and the natural environment and, in the spirit of the Sisters of Mercy, service for the well-being of all humanity and action in the cause of justice in the world.
A liberal education enables students to achieve a greater degree of freedom upon which to act purposefully. Since development of purpose entails planning for life based on a set of priorities, Mount Mercy University provides opportunities for spiritual growth, intellectual engagement, vocational clarity, social development, physical well-being, emotional maturity, and responsible community leadership.
Our Values
As members of the Mount Mercy University community, grounded in the tradition of the Sisters of Mercy and our Catholic identity, we are committed to:
We believe that education is a lifelong experience where learning empowers the whole person, intellectually, spiritually, emotionally, and physically.
We foster free inquiry in a compassionate culture where our dedication to faith, truth, and Mercy supports the dignity of each person within the human community.
We acknowledge and affirm that our students' needs are central to decisions that affect community life.
We advocate for equality by actively creating just and healthy relationships in our learning community and in our global society.
We celebrate with humility all gifts and talents bestowed by God and faithfully share these blessings with the wider community.
We accomplish our work in the spirit of Catherine McAuley's graciousness and inclusion that welcomes all people and perspectives.
We instill a sense of responsibility and caring that calls us to serve the common good.