The Cristo Rey Network recently launched its University Partner Initiative, with Marquette University as one of seven Founding National Partners. The initiative seeks to formalize and deepen Cristo Rey’s strategic relationships with colleges and universities committed to ensuring college success for Cristo Rey Network students. Partners have committed to assisting the Cristo Rey Network expand its levels of support for its graduates and schools through scholarship programs, job sponsorship, pre-college summer enrichment programs, academic support programs and more.
“Marquette has been recruiting Cristo Rey graduates since the first Cristo Rey school opened its doors in 1998, and now has 20 Cristo Rey graduates enrolled,” said Robert A. Wild, S.J., president of Marquette. “What’s always impressed me about Cristo Rey high schools is that the education is so focused on helping students achieve a college degree in preparation for lives of leadership and service. This university partner program will help students and the Cristo Rey Network reach that goal.”
Fourteen additional colleges and universities from around the country joined the initiative as National University Partners. The Cristo Rey Network provides college prep education to economically challenged young men and women in urban communities across the United States.
The AIM Program supports the Cristo Rey initiative. It has sponsored a field trip to campus for Cristo Rey students from Chicago. Karina Moreno (AIM '09) is a Cristo Rey graduate.
