This year’s NCEA Catholic Leadership Summit (CLS) may be over, but for our team, it was the opportunity to publicly usher in our new era.
This was the first conference we attended since updating the old VenturEd Solutions company name to VenturEd Solutions, and our team was thrilled to share the exciting news!
RELATED: VenturEd Solutions, formerly part of Community Brands, is now VenturEd Solutions
The CLS conference supported superintendents of all experience levels, assistant and associate superintendents, executive directors, and school network leaders, plus members of CHESCS, NNAC, CAAC, and state Catholic Conferences. These participants came together to network, learn from one another, and share best practices around research, resources, and tools to strengthen their shared mission.
Some of the states represented included Iowa, California, Washington, Montana, New Jersey, Florida, Texas, Idaho, New Mexico and others. The conference provided attendees with valuable insights into K-12 solutions, school choice initiatives, private school fundraising, diversity efforts, and AI’s impact on schools and school policy.
Insights in Action: VenturEd Solutions Panel Discussion
Breaking Silos for Success: A Collaborative Approach to Student Recruitment and Retention
Speakers:
- Nettie Reynolds, Senior Content Strategist, VentureEd Solutions
- Shana Abner, Former Private School Admissions and Enrollment Director, Seattle
- Jennifer Wathen, Director of Advancement, St. Joseph School, Seattle.
This panel, headlined by VentureEd’s own Nettie Reynolds, highlighted challenges many Catholic high schools face when it comes to attracting and retaining a robust student body. The panel united marketing, enrollment, and development leaders as they discussed strategies to create cohesive narratives, build strong communities, and modernize recruitment efforts.
Jennifer Wathen, Director of Advancement for Seattle-based St. Joseph School touched on the importance for Catholic schools to foster a strong sense of collaboration with one another and to work together in supporting their community at large.
Wathen emphasized how effective communication is the key to maintaining these bonds and ensuring student retention. When families feel connected to the school, they are more likely to be satisfied with their child’s education and less likely to consider other options.
By prioritizing open and honest communication, private schools can foster a sense of trust and partnership with families. This can involve regular updates on academic progress, extracurricular activities, and school events. Additionally, creating opportunities for parents and guardians to provide feedback and share concerns can help schools address issues proactively and improve the overall experience for students.
Session attendees also discussed the strong opportunities for joint efforts between admissions, development, and enrollment, as well as how sharing information with one another is valuable in building consistent and congruent messaging.
Keynotes and Our Conference Takeaways
This year’s keynote speaker, Dan Fitzpatrick, has helped over 42,000 schools adopt AI in the classroom. His best-selling book, The AI Classroom: Teaching & Learning in the Artificial Intelligence Revolution, was the basis for a riveting session on practical AI adoption strategies for schools and how teachers and leaders can be innovative in AI usage for classrooms.
Another key panel session, “Leading Schools to be Christ Centered and Kingdom Bound,” delved into the crucial topic of Catholic identity in schools. The session aimed to equip participants, primarily Catholic school superintendents, with the tools to create meaningful programs that foster a deeper understanding of the Catholic faith among educators and families.
A primary focus from the panel was how to lead schools that are truly “Kingdom Bound,” aligning with the ultimate goals of the Catholic Church. Participants explored ways to develop and implement spiritual formation opportunities that nurture both personal reflection and communal experiences. This included strategies for fostering spiritual growth among educators and families, as well as creating impactful resources and activities that support this goal.
The conference ensured participants left with a wealth of practical ideas and plans to implement in their schools. These K-12 solutions and strategies are designed to help principals, teachers, and students become more deeply connected to their Catholic faith and its traditions, ultimately contributing to the spiritual well-being of the entire school community.
“I was honored to learn about the unique experiences, challenges, and successes each diocese is experiencing,” said Christi Reece, Director of Customer Account Management at VenturEd. “It helps us better serve them and their families.”
Touching on the strength of the NCEA Catholic Leadership Superintendent conference, Nick Laird, CEO of VenturEd Solutions, noted, “It was inspiring to see how dedicated the leadership is in continuing the mission of Catholic schools, and it’s rewarding to collaborate on ways to expand their efforts to serve more students and families.”
That’s a wrap from NCEA CLS 2024! We look forward to seeing you in April 2025 for NCEA’s “Be the Light” conference in Tampa, Florida.
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