“Saint Mary’s is an invaluable place where you cannot only grow in mind, but in heart and spirit, and a place where you develop relationships that will last a lifetime.”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Saint Mary's College is a Cristo Rey Network National University Partner
Media contact:
Gwen O’Brien
Director of Media Relations
Saint Mary's College
Notre Dame, IN 46556
(574) 284-4579
January 20, 2011 (Notre Dame, Ind.)– The Cristo Rey Network announced this week that Saint Mary's College is among its 2010-2011 National University Partners. The partnerships demonstrate Cristo Rey’s ongoing commitment to ensure that all of the graduates of its network high schools have access to the academic, social, and financial supports they need to complete a college degree. The Cristo Rey Network is comprised of 24 high schools throughout the country that provide a quality, Catholic, college preparatory education to 6,500 urban young people who live in communities with limited educational options.
“Saint Mary's College is committed to making a quality education a reality for outstanding students,” said Mona Bowe, vice president for enrollment management. “In our long history with the Cristo Rey Network and schools, we have found their students to be motivated, engaged and very bright, exactly the kind of woman that Saint Mary's seeks. By being a partner institution, and by participating in Cristo Rey programs, we hope to see more Cristo Rey students enroll at Saint Mary's, and graduate as alumnae ready to make the world a better place.”
Statistics supplied by Cristo Rey indicate that only 1 in 10 low-income students beginning high school complete a postsecondary degree by age 24. Students completing a college degree earn, on average, $1 million more over the course of their lifetime. With the launch of its University Partner Initiative less than two years ago, the Cristo Rey Network began formalizing strategic relationships with colleges and universities committed to supporting the Cristo Rey Network graduates and its member schools.
Early highlights of the initiative include:
- Almost 200 Cristo Rey Network graduates enrolled in partner institutions over the last two years
- 97% persistence rate for Cristo Rey Network graduates enrolled in partner institutions for the last two years
- More than $5 million in scholarships and institutional aid awarded by partners to Cristo Rey Network graduates for the 2010-2011 academic year
“I am excited by the growth and shared learning that is happening in this initiative,” remarked Rob Birdsell, President & CEO. “We are humbled to have several new universities joining us in our common mission to transform urban America one student at a time. We know that it is through such mission-driven collaboration our students will achieve their dreams of success in college and career.”
Click here for a complete list of Cristo Rey's University Partners.
About Saint Mary’s College: Saint Mary’s College, Notre Dame, Ind., is a four-year, Catholic, women’s institution offering five bachelor’s degrees and more than 30 major areas of study. Saint Mary’s College has six nationally accredited academic programs: social work, art, music, teacher education, chemistry and nursing. Saint Mary’s College ranks among the top 100 “Best National Liberal Arts Colleges” in the U.S. News & World Report 2011 College Guide. Founded in 1844, Saint Mary’s is a pioneer in the education of women, and is sponsored by the Sisters of the Holy Cross.
About the Cristo Rey Network®: The Cristo Rey Network is comprised of 24 high schools that provide a quality, Catholic, college preparatory education to 6,500 urban young people who live in communities with limited educational options. Member schools utilize a rigorous academic model, supported with effective instruction, to prepare students with a broad range of academic abilities for college. All students at Cristo Rey Network schools participate in a corporate work study program through which they finance the majority of the cost of their education, gain real world job experience, grow in self-confidence, and realize the relevance of their education.