Partners in Mission Fall Institute

As a Head of School, opportunities to step away, reflect, and learn alongside other Catholic school leaders are invaluable. The Partners in Mission National Advancement Summer Institute provided practical strategies, thoughtful discussion, and a clear focus on mission-centered advancement. I returned to Rosary College Prep energized, inspired, and equipped with ideas that will strengthen our work moving forward. I am grateful for the experience and the relationships built throughout the week.

As a first-timer at Summer Institute, I left with a full heart and singing Partners in Mission’s praises. I’m new in the President’s Office, but I’m confident now because I have a trusted resource to help guide our school forward. I walked in feeling like the new kid on the first day of school and walked out knowing I’d made the best choice.

Although my professional background is in corporate marketing, this was one of the best planned, organized, and run conferences I’ve ever attended (and I’ve been to many over the past 40 years).

As the Director of Advancement at our school, I believe professional development is one of the best investments we can make, not only in ourselves but also in the future of our mission. Over the past eight years, I’ve had the opportunity to attend four Partners in Mission Summer Institutes. This year was especially meaningful because I attended with almost our entire Advancement team. Sharing the experience meant we came home with the same vision, the same vocabulary, and a long list of ideas we were excited to put into action.

Coming to the Partners in Mission Summer Institute, I was one year into my role as Director of Enrollment and Recruitment. I had found a great rhythm, celebrated some meaningful milestones, and was looking ahead to the challenges I wanted to tackle in year two. The breakout sessions and conference content didn’t just provide ideas — they helped me develop practical strategies I could take back to my school. Just as valuable were the relationships I built with fellow Catholic school leaders and Partners from Partners in Mission. Those connections have become an ongoing network of support that I know I can lean on long past the conference.

The Summer Institute was, hands down, the best professional development event I have attended. The partners were dynamic, lively, engaging and welcoming. The information and knowledge shared was invaluable and came alongside action items that I am confident can transform our school. The opportunity to network with friendly peers who understand the same professional goals and challenges was unmatched. Experiencing all they had planned in Boston topped off the experience.  

I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to attend the Partners in Mission Conference. The experience was both inspiring and practical, and I left every session with at least one meaningful takeaway that I can apply to help the Rapid City Catholic School System grow and flourish. I appreciate the investment in my professional and spiritual formation, and I look forward to implementing what I have learned to strengthen our vision of forming hearts and minds in the Truth. Thank you for making this valuable opportunity possible.