2024 Leadership Forum Spotlights Interculturality, Enrollment
Mercy school leaders focused on interculturality and enrollment strategies at this year’s Leadership Forum, held February 14-15, 2024, at the Maritime Conference Center in Linthicum Heights, Maryland. Over 120 administrators and board chairs attended this annual event hosted by the Mercy Education Board of Directors.
“Catherine McAuley doesn’t own the Mercy charism. The Sisters of Mercy don’t own it. You have it – it’s your gift to share, for building up the body of Christ. That is the why of Mercy Education.” Following an Ash Wednesday prayer service on February 14, Sister Sue Sanders, RSM, President of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas, offered open remarks urging school leaders to keep mission at the center of their work.
Sister Ivette Diaz, RSM, Interculturality Resource Coordinator for the Sisters of Mercy, led a session deepening school leaders’ understanding of interculturality and how they can nurture it within their school communities. A graduate of St. Catharine Academy in Bronx, New York, Sister Ivette shared stories from her own life to help illustrate the “iceberg model” of culture, where only about 10 percent is visible through aspects such as food, language and dress; the majority – including cultural norms, attitudes and perceptions – is invisible beneath the service.
Mary Foley, Managing Director of Catholic Schools Management and Mission Advancement, a division of Christian Brothers Services, opened the second day of the forum. A proud alumna of Mother McAuley Liberal Arts High School in Chicago, Illinois, Mary offered a presentation on Stakeholder Focused Enrollment Strategies, with practical suggestions on how every member of the school community can help promote the value of a Mercy education. Mary then facilitated a panel which opened with Tim Loescher, President of Mater Christi School in Burlington, Vermont, who presented 10 principles for enrollment. Next Mary Beth Lennon, President of Mercy High School in Baltimore, Maryland, reflected on strategies to sustain and grow enrollment. Finally, Patricia Mack, Principal of Notre Dame High School in Elmira, New York, shared her experience launching an international student program at NDHS.
The forum closed with a session on board formation. Presentations by Sister Regina Ward, RSM, from the Mercy Education staff and board members Marcia Tai Chun and Christine Basque Malloy highlighted current and new mission-focused resources available to Mercy school leaders.
With gratitude we acknowledge the planning team for this year’s event: Colleen Bonar, Sr. Lisa Griffith, RSM, Maria del Mar Peydro, Terry Quinn and Bill Valade. Participants, look for an email coming soon with slideshows, resources and a brief follow-up survey. Photos are available on Facebook.
