Mercy Mondays: Celebrating the latest participants in the Mercy Leadership Colloquium

Throughout the spring 2021 semester, ten Salve Regina staff members were part of the Mercy Leadership Colloquium within the McAuley Institute for Mercy Education. As they wrap up their monthly meetings this week, the Office of Mission Integration offers gratitude for the colleagues who participated.

The Mercy Leadership Colloquium began in 2019. It’s a four-part monthly mission integration series for administrators and staff to engage with readings and resources from the mercy, Catholic tradition, vocationally reflect on their lived experiences, and cultivate practices of mercy leadership across the campus community. Cohorts are comprised of ten members each year and are nominated for participation by their respective vice presidents. The colloquium is facilitated by Dr. Theresa Ladrigan-Whelpley, vice president for mission integration.

In a survey of the first two cohorts, 100% agreed or strongly agreed that they made significant gains in their understanding of and connection to Salve Regina’s mercy Catholic mission, and they also indicated that they grew as mercy leaders throughout the Colloquium. The impact of the colloquium has already been cited by colleagues and division heads and several past participants have developed new mission-related initiatives in their respective departments.

Here are just some comments from past participants:

“The Mercy Leadership Colloquium was a wonderful opportunity to share conversations surrounding our shared mission with colleagues from across the campus community. I looked forward each month to gathering, talking, learning and discovering more about mercy, the Catholic tradition and the many perspectives that make Salve a place where students truly become part of something bigger.”

“I felt the readings and the presentations, questions and guidance provided were the most meaningful part for me. I also enjoyed being with my colleagues and hearing about their experiences and perspectives.”

 “Having the time to step away from my desk and to engage in discussion with my colleagues about our Mercy mission over lunch was a gift. I felt like a student again — eager to do the readings, mark up my text and ready myself for a vibrant discussion that allowed me to better understand myself, my colleagues and the institution and community we serve.”

The Mercy Leadership Colloquium now has hosted three cohorts over three years (2019, 2020, 2021). Administrators and staff who have participated in one of the cohorts of the Mercy Leadership Colloquiums are as follows:

Alejandra Alonzo, Andrew Baik, Erin Barry, Annemarie Bartlett, Matt Boxler, Irving Bruckstein, Patrice Coleman, Donna Cournoyer, Meghan DeCarvalho, Bill Douglas, Victoria Duclos, Mary Edwards, Dawn Emsellem-Wichowski, Nancy Escher, Erin FitzGerald, Ed Habershaw, Erin Harte, Laura Lcira-Barry, Jim Mournighan, Teryn O’Brien, Danielle O’Rourke, Lisa Richter, Phil Robakiewicz, Amanda Self, Michelle Spear Villacorta, Keith Thompson, Rita Winthrop, Natalie Wong and Kathryn Wright.

If you would like to learn more about the Mercy Leadership Colloquium, visit the website or email mcauleyinstitute@salve.edu.

This post is part of an ongoing series called Mercy Mondays that highlights Salve Regina’s dedication to its Mercy Mission. Search the tag Mercy Mission for more updates on the Mercy branches of Salve Regina.