The Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities has named Mark Harrington, EdD, founding chair of its Jesuit Student Success Network.
The Jesuit Student Success Network was officially recognized by AJCU in January 2023. It was established as institutions increase their focus on student success and retention by establishing and growing offices and staff in this area. The Network is comprised of professionals and administrators from Jesuit colleges and universities with expertise in student success and retention who collaborate with the purpose of sharing strategies and best practices.
“I am honored to serve the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities in this capacity and represent Canisius through this leadership opportunity,” says Harrington. “Since the establishment of the Jesuit Student Success Network, I have been involved with my Ignatian colleagues in building the network with the ultimate goal ensuring our students, across the diversity of our campuses, cross that commencement stage.”
Every month, the Senior Student Success Officers (SSSOs) meet to discuss student success best practices, and ways in which they can collaborate with the shared Jesuit mission. In February, the SSSOs met for their inaugural forum at Loyola University Chicago where they were able to spend time learning from one another about mission-driven initiatives on their respective campuses. A highlight of the forum was spending time in conversation with the one and only Sister Jean Dolores Schmidt who highlighted take-aways from her recent book Wake Up With Purpose!: What I’ve Learned in My First Hundred.
“It was truly a joy to learn from not only my peers across the Jesuit institutions, but from national icon Sister Jean who has been walking with students throughout their collegiate journey for decades.”
As the chair of the Jesuit Student Success Network, Harrington leads the executive board and serves as a liaison to the SSSOs at AJCU member institutions.
Mark Harrington is assistant vice president for student success at Canisius University. He also serves as director of the Higher Education and Student Affairs Administration (HESAA) program and assistant professor of teacher education and leadership.
Submitted by: University Communications
