Located in Queens, New York, one of the most ethnically and racially diverse counties in the United States, St. John’s University is a Catholic, Vincentian, metropolitan, and global institution attracting students from around the world. Founded in Brooklyn, NY, in 1870 by a religious community of priests and brothers known as Vincentians, St. John’s challenge from the outset was to provide the youth of the city—especially the children of immigrants and the working class—access to higher education. Since then, the University’s mission has remained focused on providing a values-based education rooted in the principles of social justice and concern for the dignity of all individuals. St. John’s seeks to reach out to the poor and the marginalized, recognizing that interaction with the disadvantaged can transform our lives as well as theirs. St. John’s takes pride in its diverse student body, of which 47% identify as racially and/or ethnically diverse. Additionally, 41% of undergraduates come to the University from low-income households. Notably, The Chronicle of Higher Education has ranked St. John’s #1 among national Catholic universities and colleges for social mobility—a measure of how effectively the University enrolls students from low-income backgrounds and graduates them into well-paying jobs. On average, approximately 21% of incoming first-year students are the first in their family to attend college.