University of Saint Katherine

   NicknameFirebirdsNAIA – Cal PacWebsitewww.usk.edu

The University of Saint Katherine (USK) was a private college in San Marcos, California. Founded in 2011 and closed in 2024, USK taught liberal arts and sciences in over 25 fields of study. The institution planned to close at the end of the spring 2024 semester, however all staff and faculty were terminated unexpectedly on April 25, 2024.^[2][3]

History

The University of Saint Katherine (USK) was founded by Frank J. Papatheofanis and incorporated on June 30, 2010, as a California not-for-profit public benefit corporation. USK was formerly known as Saint Katherine College. USK was approved for a name change in November 2016 upon addition of graduate studies by the California Bureau for Private and Post-Secondary Education (BPPE). BPPE approved the institution for operations in 2011. When the Western Association of Schools and Colleges granted accreditation in 2016, authority to issue degrees shifted to their purview.

The institution was originally located in Encinitas, California from 2010 to 2014, and moved to San Marcos, California in August 2014. Classroom instruction began in September 2011, with its focus on liberal arts from an Orthodox Christian perspective. The institution offered baccalaureate degrees (BA, BS) in liberal arts and sciences. In 2020, it began to offer a Master of Arts (MA) in Organizational Leadership; in 2022, a Master of Science in Kinesiology and an online Master of Arts in Orthodox Theology were added.

The institution relied on student athletes to build enrollment. In 2012, Papatheofanis converted the focus to athletics, admitting more than 90 student athletes. About 85% of students were playing on a USK sports team during 2022–23 season.^[4] At time of closing in 2024, it was estimated that 95% of the student body were student athletes.

The San Diego Union-Tribune wrote that the institution's president announced on April 25, 2024, that the institution would close at the end of the spring semester on May 18, 2024. Papatheofanis cited a "steep shortfall in operating cash" as the reason for the closure.^[2] A different news story from NBC News 7 said that the university was closing immediately with staff directed to pick up their final checks the following day. They also reported that Papatheofanis said that the athletics programs were responsible for the institution being "significantly over budget".^[5]

Academic

The University of Saint Katherine (USK) formerly taught liberal arts and sciences and offered undergraduate and graduate degree programs, touting that it offered over 25 fields of study, for a student population of approximately 230.

Distinctions

The university formerly hosted a chapter of Omicron Delta Kappa national honor society. A university graduate became its first Fulbright Award recipient in 2020. The university published the Saint Katherine Review from 2011-2018.

Athletics

The Saint Katherine (USK) athletic teams were the Firebirds. The university was admitted as a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), primarily competing in the California Pacific Conference (Cal Pac) since the 2019–20 academic year.^[6]

Over 95% of the student body were members of athletic teams.

References

External links

• Official website
• Official athletics website