About the Episode
About the Episode: In this episode, we're thrilled to feature Mercy University, a dynamic private institution in New York, and two of its exceptional leaders. Meet Dr. Susan L. Parish, the visionary 13th President of Mercy University. With a distinguished background in health sciences and disability policy, Dr. Parish is driving positive change at Mercy, fostering a culture of innovation and inclusivity. Joining Dr. Parish is Adam Castro, Vice President for Enrollment Management. Adam's expertise in admissions, financial services, and marketing has played a pivotal role in Mercy's growth and success. Together, Dr. Parish and Adam will share insights into Mercy University's groundbreaking Catalyst Program and their dedication to providing access to education for students from diverse backgrounds. Tune in to learn more about Mercy University's mission-driven approach to higher education and the transformative initiatives they're spearheading. Don't miss this captivating conversation on Visionary Voices!
Key Takeaways
- Commit to Inclusive Access: Mercy’s Catalyst Program is a model for removing barriers to education by focusing on comprehensive support for underserved students.
- Utilize Cohort-Based Learning: The Catalyst Program emphasizes a cohort model that builds a supportive community, essential for student retention and engagement.
- Develop Proactive Leadership Synergy: Mercy’s leadership exemplifies a cohesive, mission-driven approach to innovation, allowing bold initiatives like Catalyst to launch effectively.
- Adapt Financial Aid Strategies: Facing FAFSA delays, Mercy University is creating estimated financial aid packages to ensure students make timely, informed decisions.
- Emphasize Community Collaboration: In developing Catalyst, Mercy involved local school counselors, ensuring the program meets students’ real-world needs and challenges.
Episode Summary
What is the Catalyst Program, and How Does it Align with Mercy’s Mission?
Mercy University’s Catalyst Program emerged in response to declining college enrollment rates among Bronx high school graduates, exacerbated by the pandemic’s impact. Designed for Bronx-area students, the Catalyst Program provides a robust support system that includes financial aid, career services, transportation stipends, meals, textbooks, and tech support (including laptops and internet hotspots). According to President Parish, this initiative reflects Mercy’s core mission to transform lives through access to education, specifically targeting first-generation and low-income students. Adam Castro adds that Catalyst embodies Mercy’s role as a “student-ready” institution, committed to meeting students where they are and adapting to their needs.
How Did Mercy’s Leadership Approach Enable the Program’s Rapid Launch?
Launching a program like Catalyst requires not only resources but also a united leadership approach. President Parish notes that Mercy’s senior leadership team is deeply mission-driven, making it easier to align everyone around Catalyst’s goals. This culture of solidarity and focus on student success fosters innovation and enables initiatives to progress quickly, even with tight timelines. Rather than seeing Catalyst as a single department’s responsibility, the university’s leadership views it as a collaborative project that integrates insights and efforts across departments.
Castro further highlights the importance of local partnerships in shaping the program, such as collaborating with Bronx-area school counselors. This collaboration helped Mercy identify practical needs, like transportation and meal support, and ensured Catalyst would be directly relevant to the students it aims to serve.
How Has Mercy Adapted Financial Aid Strategies to Address FAFSA Delays?
With delays in FAFSA processing this year, Mercy is proactively adjusting its financial aid strategies to avoid enrollment bottlenecks. Mercy will provide estimated financial aid packages based on an internal tool that helps determine eligibility, allowing students to make more timely, informed decisions. Additionally, the university is pushing its accepted student days later and extending deposit deadlines to June 1, offering flexibility for families navigating FAFSA challenges. Mercy’s approach to financial aid underscores its commitment to inclusivity, with nearly 75% of students eligible for Pell Grants and a substantial portion of the student body facing financial challenges.
How Does Catalyst Reflect Mercy’s Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion?
Mercy’s long-standing status as a Hispanic-serving institution (HSI) and its commitment to diversity and inclusion are integral to the Catalyst Program’s development. Recognizing the unique challenges faced by low-income and first-generation students, the program incorporates wraparound services tailored to help students thrive both academically and personally. According to President Parish, Mercy places a strong emphasis on creating a sense of belonging by keeping class sizes small and fostering close connections between students and faculty. Mercy’s intentional approach has resulted in outcomes such as graduating more Black students annually than prestigious Ivy League schools combined, highlighting the effectiveness of their inclusive, student-centered model.
What Advice Do Mercy’s Leaders Offer to Aspiring Higher Education Professionals?
Reflecting on their experiences, both leaders emphasize the importance of adaptability and mission-driven work. President Parish advises future leaders to focus on student needs and embrace a different approach to education that prioritizes timely graduation and student-centered planning. Castro echoes this sentiment, describing how rewarding it is to see the long-term impact of enrollment work on individual student lives. He encourages young professionals in admissions and enrollment management to view their roles as opportunities to make a transformative difference in students' educational journeys.
About the Show: This show explores a range of critical topics, from navigating financial challenges and embracing technological innovation to fostering student success and promoting diversity and inclusion. Featuring in-depth case studies and a focus on transformative strategies, the podcast is a valuable resource for current and aspiring leaders in academia, offering a playbook of visionary ideas and practical solutions for the ever-evolving landscape of higher education.
About the Enrollify Network: The Visionary Voices podcast is a part of the Enrollify Podcast Network. If you like this podcast, chances are you’ll like other Enrollify shows too!
Our shows help higher ed marketers and admissions pros find their next big idea, and feature a selection of the industry’s best as your hosts. Learn from Jaime Hunt, Allison Turcio, Jenny Li Fowler, Jeremy Tiers and so many other of your favorite leaders in higher ed.
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