MMU Serves

Leading the Way for Women and Children

The idea came to Mount Mary president Dr. Isabelle Cherney in a moment of quiet reflection. Now its implementation could be one of the most profound ventures in the university’s 111 year history.

First announced in 2023, the Institute for the Advancement of Women and Children is beginning to take shape. The new initiative stands as a testament to the university’s commitment to gender equity and empowerment. 

“Since our earliest days, our mission has always been to help elevate the lives of our students through knowledge,” says Cherney, who sees the Institute as a continuation of the mission begun by the School Sisters of Notre Dame over a century ago. 

Through four pillars, the Institute will provide women with the tools, resources and support they need to thrive personally, academically and professionally.

“The Institute will be an incubator for thought and action, where we can innovate and engage the larger community,” said Cherney. “It has always been Mount Mary’s mission to educate the vulnerable and marginalized. With the Institute, we can do more systematic research around some of the barriers these women face and find ways to close those gaps.”

The Institute for the Advancement of Women and Children will house four distinct branches: The Center for Women’s Health and Wellness, The Center for the Advancement of Women in Technology, The Center for Women and Children’s Rights and The Center for Women’s Leadership. 

“The Institute will push beyond the boundaries of Mount Mary University by providing students with meaningful experiences to increase their social mobility and explore root causes of injustice,” Cherney aid. “We will seek out partnerships with industries, nonprofits, corporations and organizations to help further the mission and create unparalleled collaborations.” 

And those collaborations are already forming. Mount Mary has begun developing strategic relationships with corporations and non-profits whose organizational missions are similarly aligned with that of the university. Through these connections, students will benefit from cutting-edge learning technology and valuable resume-building experience, while participating organizations will gain access to the talent and vision of the next generation of leaders. The university has secured creative projects with the Target Corporation and Amazon Web Services that have begun this year, allowing students to work hand in hand with industry leaders.

“Through our partnerships, the Institute will foster a career connection, and provide Mount Mary students with many exciting opportunities,” Cherney said. “This holistic workforce development will empower our students and ultimately enhance the entire community.”