A Catholic Community that Cares
Seton Hall University is a place where students are empowered to grow in mind, heart, and spirit within a genuinely caring and supportive academic community. In 2013, Pope Francis recognized the University for its dedication to its Catholic mission and imparted the Apostolic Blessing to Seton Hall, making it the first academic institution in the United States to claim such an honor.
One of the oldest Catholic Diocesan University in the nation, Seton Hall was founded in 1856 by Bishop James Roosevelt Bayley, who named the school after his aunt, Elizabeth Ann Seton, the first America-born saint. Bishop Bayley envisioned the University as a "home for the mind, the heart and the spirit," a place where students would become compassionate, well-rounded leaders called to serve.
Today, we remain deeply committed to that founding vision. We strive to develop servant leaders — students who lead with integrity, empathy and moral clarity. Here, you’ll find many opportunities to build your leadership skills both in and out of the classroom while learning to uplift others as you grow yourself.
We take pride in being a diverse and inclusive Catholic community. Our students come from all 50 states and more than 50 countries. Over 40 percent identify as students of color, and we welcome individuals of all faiths and backgrounds. At Seton Hall, we foster an environment of belonging and mutual respect, where students explore the intersections of faith, reason, science and culture, gaining deeper insight into themselves and the world around them.
Service is at the heart of the Seton Hall experience. Through the Division of Volunteer Efforts (DOVE), students contribute more than 40,000 hours of service annually, supporting local soup kitchens and after-school programs, partnering with organizations like Habitat for Humanity and the Community FoodBank of New Jersey, and joining service-learning trips to orphanages in Haiti and El Salvador. These immersive experiences expand our students’ worldviews and deepen their formation in heart, mind and spirit.
