Mission Priority Examen
Holy Cross Mission Priority Examen
During the 2025-26 Academic Year, Holy Cross will engage in its second Mission Priority Examen (MPE). The MPE is a reflective, collaborative discernment process developed by the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities (AJCU) to help Jesuit institutions assess and deepen their commitment to the shared mission of Jesuit higher education. At the College of the Holy Cross, the MPE offers a structured opportunity to affirm how the institution embodies its Jesuit, Catholic identity and to identify areas for growth in mission integration.
Guided by the document Characteristics of Jesuit Higher Education, the process invites broad participation across the college community - faculty, staff, administrators, students, and trustees - through listening sessions, surveys, and committee work. Holy Cross will reflect on how we live out our Jesuit, Catholic values and where we want to grow.
The self-study culminates in a peer review by a team from sister Jesuit institutions, who affirm strengths and offer mission-based recommendations. The final report is submitted to the AJCU and the Superior General of the Society of Jesus. For Holy Cross, the MPE is both a moment of accountability and a grace-filled invitation to renew its mission with intentionality, creativity, and fidelity to the Jesuit tradition.
Listening Sessions
As a process of reflection, self-study, and discernment, the Mission Priority Examen (MPE) invites the Holy Cross community to deeply and meaningfully consider how we live out our Jesuit Catholic mission and identity in our current context.
Because a robust process hinges on input and involvement from across our College community, the MPE Steering Committee is hosting listening sessions by constituent group as well as general sessions throughout Fall 2025. Attendees will consider the ways in which Holy Cross exemplifies the characteristics of Jesuit higher education as well as the opportunities for growth and improvement.
MPE Steering Committee
The committee is a collection of diverse voices and perspectives from across campus who will help guide the College through this process.
Michele Murray
Senior Vice President for Student Development and Mission
Co-chair
Justin Poché
Associate Professor
History
Co-chair
Michelle Bata
Associate Dean for Student Engagement
Student Development
Rob Bellin
Class Dean for the Class of 2028, Professor
Biology
Jerrel Burgo
Director
Office of Student Inclusion and Belonging, JEBI
Denielle Burl
Associate Vice President for Risk and Compliance
Administration and Finance
Tom Cadigan ‘02,
Director of Alumni Regional and Special Programs
Advancement
Lauren Capotosto
Associate Professor
Education
Dominika Chmielewski ‘27
Aaron Dashiell
Assistant Director of Athletics for Student-Athlete Development
Athletics
Paul Irish
Senior Associate Dean of Students
Student Development
Keith Maczkiewicz, S.J.
Associate Vice President for Mission and Ministry
Michelle Mondoux
Associate Professor
Biology
Allen Morais
Director of Facilities Operations
Facilities
Peter Nguyen, S.J.
Associate Professor
Religious Studies
Kate Novack ‘28
Paula Shanley
Office Coordinator
Chaplains’ Office
Melissa Shaw
Editorial Director
Marketing & Communications
Michelle Sterk Barrett
Director
J.D. Power Center for Liberal Arts and the World
Carly Thibodeaux
Director of Sustainability
Finance and Administration
Lynn Verecchia ‘01
Director of Admissions
Kyle Woolley
Director of Mission Engagement