Pathways PROGRAM DEVELOPING

Mercy High School has launched a new Pathways Program that will give students unique learning and leadership opportunities that will support them to thrive as they develop into future leaders, innovators, and changemakers in a workforce that men have traditionally dominated.

The new Pathways Program allows students to dive deeper into one of six pathways: Biotechnology, Creative Arts and Design, Engineering, Global Scholars, Leadership Education and Development, and Women’s Studies.

Data speaks to the importance of bringing focused opportunities for our students to gain their confidence and voices in underrepresented fields: only 23% of CEOs at biotechnology companies are women; just 8% of Fortune 500 companies have female CEOs; only 29% of artistic directors from founding to present have been women in the largest 50 U.S. ballet companies; engineering is the most male-dominated field in STEM with only 13% of women making up the workplace; three of the world’s most-visited museums, the British Museum (est. 1753), the Louvre (est. 1793), and the Metropolitan Museum of Art (est. 1870), have never had female directors.

Each Pathway is uniquely developed to engage students through curriculum, leadership, co-curricular activities, capstone projects, and mentorship opportunities. This school year, students applied to be part of the Biotechnology, Global Scholars, and Leadership Development and Education Pathways.

Biotechnology Pathway introduces students to the field of biotechnology and provides tools to gain experience and confidence in their skills as they build resiliency in problemsolving. Biotechnology combines biology and technology. Modern biotechnology is a fast-evolving field that can be broken into five branches. The biotechnology industry spans from helping to fight hunger to saving energy to reducing our ecological footprint.

“One of the greatest skills we can develop in our students is the ability to recognize and overcome obstacles to their achieving leadership positions in their professional and personal lives. Our LEAD Pathway Program will provide our girls an opportunity to take theoretical concepts on leadership and personal development into leadership in action.”

—Jennifer Clifford, Assistant Head of School for Student Life.

Global Scholars Pathway supports Mercy students with an interest in global affairs and prepares them for potential careers in international relations, global studies, or other interdisciplinary careers focusing on fundamental global citizenship per the Core Values of a Mercy Education. Students can earn the certificate with distinction by enrolling in Honors and AP courses.

Leadership Development and Education Pathway supports Mercy students in gaining practical experience in critical areas of leadership. Students gain leadership experience and education that, in turn, support the development of their authentic voices and leadership styles.

“I believe that the new Global Scholars Pathway will accentuate what Mercy does well by providing unique opportunities to excel in a borderless world.”

This spring, students will be able to apply to be part of our Engineering, Creative Arts and Design, and Women’s Studies Pathways, which will begin in fall 2023.

“

As a teacher in the sciences and a parent of three Mercy alumnae, I am so excited that Mercy is bringing these programs to our community. I am especially encouraged by the addition of the Biotechnology and Engineering components. All three of my daughters entered into careers in the sciences (Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, and Clinical Research) and had a strong beginning due to the opportunities they had at Mercy, but these new opportunities will progress our current programs even further. This will allow our students interested in STEM pathways to enter college even better prepared. In addition, the programs are more interdisciplinary within the sciences and technology and offer students a better opportunity to enter 21st century STEM careers.” —Dr. Patricia Bradley, STEM Educator

Engineering Pathway introduces young women to the field of engineering and empowers them to find their confidence in this maledominated industry. The engineering field has dramatically expanded over the past decades as it continues to evolve to meet the various needs of our world. As a result, today’s students have options to study areas ranging from Chemical Engineering and Materials Science Engineering to Aerospace Engineering and Marine Engineering. In addition, the innovations awaiting within the field of engineering are endless.

Creative Arts and Design

Pathway combines creativity, ideas, imagination, and self-expression to encourage young women to solve problems through various art forms, including art, drama, dance, painting, music, design, and graphic design. The study of Creative Arts and Design is critical to the world as it supports the development of crucial life skills such as emotional intelligence, confidence, discipline, creativity, commitment, and problem-solving.

Women’s Studies

Pathway is an interdisciplinary study intended to educate students on the social roles and cultural issues affecting women through the lens of history, literature, psychology, and politics. In exploring the challenges that women have overcome and those they continue to face today, girls learn to find a voice in issues that relate to them. In knowing women’s achievements throughout history, girls develop a greater sense of what is possible in a world that has traditionally been dominated by men. Through the unique lens of women’s studies, girls gain confidence in issues that continue to affect them and their futures.

I hope to increase my social, organizational, and leadership skills, and interact with different members of the community to work towards a common goal. Additionally, leadership is crucial in everyday life outside of the academic realm and classroom. Advancing my leadership skills will better prepare me to tackle what will come in the future and help me later on in life.

—Nikki Vo ‘24, Leadership Pathway Scholar

Mentorship is a vital component of the Pathways Program. Knowing that female mentors can significantly impact another woman's life, all Pathway students will be partnered with a mentor who is an alumnae or local community member within their chosen field of study. The mentoring program is designed to offer Mercy students the opportunity to learn first-hand about a career of interest, gain guidance on achieving it, support their career-specific skills and leadership development, and see first-hand representation. In addition, through regular check-ins, mentors will help to introduce Mercy students to the workplace, support their networking in the Bay Area, and encourage them to pursue their interests.

At Mercy High School, students leave knowing they have already begun the networking process that is crucial to their career success. With advocates in the classroom and within the community, Mercy students gain confidence and practical experience that will carry them into their young adult lives.

Alumnae Keynote Speakers

Our two keynote speakers were joined by 25 other professionals (12 Mercy alumnae and 10 members of the Mercy Parent Community) from various fields: architecture, pharmaceuticals, biology, therapy, culinary arts, genetics, pediatrics, nursing, legal, photography, television, pathology, engineering, sales, teaching, and probation. We thank them all for sharing their time, experiences, and wisdom at Career Day 2023!

Estrellina (Pacis) Rius ‘97 NASA Ames Systems Engineer

Ester (Pacis) Rius ‘97 works for NASA Ames and the Naval Information Warfare Center, Pacific (NIWC PAC). As the Project Lead for multiple robotics projects focused on developing small ground robots used by the Navy, Army, Marine Corps, and Air Force, she is responsible for managing projects from inception to fielding, including directing multidisciplinary teams of engineers from Government and private industry, supporting Government Program Offices on acquisition strategies, and developing new architectures to advance robotic controller software.

Ester also works at NASA Ames in Mountain View as a Systems Engineer in the Intelligent Robotics Group. Her focus is on areas at the system level that incorporate all the multiple disciplines like electrical engineering, computer software, and interface design needed to build a robotic system. Having learned to not only excel but to lead in these traditionally male dominated robotics and engineering fields, Ester is an amazing example of finding a passion and letting nothing stand in the way of accomplishing goals once they are established.

Jennifer (Estrella) Peneyra ‘93 Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Jennifer leads strategic initiatives with a focus on building an inclusive workplace for recruiting, developing, and advancing diverse, top talent teams. She works with leaders across their global organization to create an environment where employees from all different backgrounds can successfully use their unique experiences to contribute meaningful impact and grow in their careers. Jennifer has deep insights into the importance of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the workplace and why it is so important to keep pushing DEI efforts forward in all types of work environments.

Mercy Career Day 2023 Presenters

Mary Desing ‘02 Architecture

Scott Balsitis P ‘25 Biomedical Research

Michelle Queano Slavik ‘97

Biotech/Mental Health

Mikaela Ribi ‘15 Biotech/PhD

Ana Corina Perez

Civil Engineer/Construction

Carrie Philpott P ‘23

Counseling/Therapy

Carlos Sanchez P ‘24

Culinary Arts/Hospitality

Jocelynne Braham Frazier ‘89 Teacher

Beverly Desuasido ‘97 Film/TV

Eva Ferino Genetic Counselor

Bridget Phillip Doctor/Anesthesiologist

Colette Devereux P ‘25

Nurse Practitioner

Jo Fletcher Physical Therapy

Claire Woo P ‘25 Radiation Therapist

Babak Nikravesh P ‘25

Law Firm/Partner

Jennifer Warner ‘08

Lawyer/In House Counsel

Stephanie Mullen P ‘22

News Media - Photography

Deirdre Bonitz ‘16 Project Engineer/ Construction Management

Chrystelle Azcona ‘11 Real Estate

Noma Smith ‘04 Social Work/Therapy

Santi Nevett Software Engineer

Janette McAfee

Speech Language Pathologist

Kara Abendroth ‘02 Technology/Sales

Don Uy-Barreta Teacher

Glenda Escalante

Law Enforcement/government