October 2024

Erin – Prince of Peace | Purcell Marian Graduate

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Erin - Prince of Peace | Purcell Marian Graduate

“Catholic schools have had a profound impact on shaping my values and aspirations.”

Erin attended Prince of Peace elementary school and graduated from Purcell Marian with a CISE high school scholarship. She shares that her formative Catholic education would not have been possible without support from CISE.

She went on to receive a degree from the University of Toledo. Now working as a Government IT Manager, Erin is breaking barriers as the first woman of color in a leadership role at her company.

Erin recently enrolled her son in Catholic preschool, continuing the legacy of a strong, Catholic education.

Rae’Niyah – Corryville | MND class of 2026

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Rae'Niyah - Corryville | MND class of 2026

“CISE gives us a lot, so we’re working hard in exchange.”

Rae’Niyah, known as Rumor to her friends, is a sophomore at Mount Notre Dame High School. Her friends describe her as a loyal person who loves to help and encourage others.

With a passion for all things art, she enjoys being a part of the Show Choir and is very proud to have won a best performer award. She also participates in the MND Culture Club and hopes to one day visit Japan or Spain with the student exchange program.

Rae’Niyah dreams of becoming a doctor or a teacher, utilizing her dedication to serving and helping others.

Jimmy – St. William | Elder class of 2028

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Jimmy - St. William | Elder class of 2028

“Attending Elder High School has been my dream since kindergarten.”

Jimmy has attended St. William since kindergarten and is eager to begin high school at Elder in the fall. Originally from Guatemala, he deeply cherishes his family and cultural roots.

Jimmy appreciates how St. William has provided a diverse and supportive community and taught him about God. He aspires to work hard, make the honor roll and excel academically at Elder. He also hopes to play soccer.

Jimmy shares, “Thank you for the scholarship. My family and I really appreciate it! God bless you for everything.”

Measuring Impact and Defining Innovation

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Measuring Impact and Defining Innovation

CISE’s primary focus over its 40-year history has been on sustaining Catholic grade schools in their neighborhoods. Vision 2021 & Beyond called on CISE to further expand the vital “bookends” to grade school: preschool and high school. Under the leadership of Phil McHugh, CISE onboarded Mari Thomas, Career Navigator and Workforce Intermediary and Mike Kennedy, Director of Strategic Initiatives and High School Scholarship Programs, to explore educational pathways to prepare CISE-supported schools for life after high school and build out the high school scholarship fund.

Since 2021, the number of eighth graders matriculating to Catholic high schools has increased, on average, by twenty new freshmen each academic year. As of fall 2024, 494 CISE-supported students attend a Catholic high school, with anticipated growth to more than 500 in 2025.  As the enrollment in Catholic high schools increases, the need for additional scholarship funds increases, as well. With the addition of Mike to the CISE team, he has grown the high school scholarship funds and developed an accountability plan to regularly assess the usage, impact, and future needs.

Just as Mike has examined high school financial data, Mari Thomas has been exploring the educational landscape, specifically, the educational pathways and resources to ensure that CISE-supported graduates are life-ready. The Career and Technical Education, CTE, Feasibility study that commenced in the summer of 2023, has identified that the educational needs of CISE-supported scholars have changed, the educational options within most Catholic high schools have remained the same, and the opportunity for alternative educational resources and programming is essential. Given the changing student needs, and the available educational opportunities, Mari has fostered high school and post-secondary educational partnerships, developed relationships with business and industry partners, and secured state level policy champions to bring forward enhanced CTE “experienceships” that will expand the educational experience for CISE-supported scholars as they prepare for their post-graduation plans. Through this intentional and innovative educational reform, CISE will advance the commitment to strengthen the education continuum and help scholars secure a path to a job, successful career, life fulfillment, and, most importantly, a way out of poverty.  

With Mari’s work to expand educational programming and Mike’s work to understand and build out the financial landscape, collectively they are planning to execute strategic initiatives that will ensure that the CISE-supported scholars not only get to Catholic high schools, but get through high school, prepared for their next chapter of life – college education, employment, or enlistment. 

Alumni Spotlight – Brooke Rouse

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St. Lawrence | Seton class of 2018 | Mount St. Joseph Graduate

Brooke Rouse’s greatest achievement, the one she is most proud of so far in her life, is her graduation from Mt. St. Joseph University with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication and Media Studies.

When Brooke reflects on her life thus far, she noted that her years of Catholic education taught her the value of learning and to always have hope, “I feel moved to share just how grateful I am for not only my selfless and dedicated teachers throughout my Catholic education, but also for CISE, who awarded me a scholarship to attend Seton High School. The generosity of so many equipped me with tools to work hard and paved the way for me to succeed.”

In college, Brook was offered her first internship at CISE. “I am so grateful they took a chance on a nervous college freshman and offered me a supportive environment that kickstarted me into the professional world. After college, I went all over the place – from D.C. to Orlando, but what pushed me through was the faith I learned from three Catholic schools on the West Side of Cincinnati (St. Lawrence, Seton, and MSJ) and brought me right back home. So many people believed in me,” Brooke noted.

Brooke is not only one of our proud alums but is also a new donor to the CISE-SGO. When asked why she donated, she said, “Each of us has the opportunity to rewrite futures. How cool is that?”

Catholic BAC Meeting

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On September 25th, DePaul Cristo Rey High School recently welcomed forty guests to the quarterly Catholic Business Advisory Council (BAC). Dr. Mari K. Thomas gathered educational and community leaders for the first session of the Catholic BAC for the 2024-2025 school year.

Dennis Haft from the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce, Office of Graduate Success, kicked off the meeting with an overview of Early College Credit and the integration of College and Career Pathways. Teresa Hernandez, from Sinclair College, shared insights on how Catholic schools can maximize College Credit Plus opportunities within their institutions.

Additionally, Angela Elsasser, from Great Oaks, Beth Merk from Mercy McAuley High School, and Dr. Sarah Delong from Butler Tech, presented information about specific Career and Technical programming that can be implemented in Catholic high schools today, as well as potential expansion programming for the future.

This Catholic BAC not only increased understanding but also sparked curiosity as attendees explored ways to enhance Career Readiness and Workforce Development programs and resources. The next Catholic BAC will take place on January 21, 2025, at Butler Tech, followed by a meeting on April 22, 2025, at the Center for Great Work Performance.

Meet Nathaniel “Nate” Lampley, Jr.

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Meet Nathaniel “Nate” Lampley, Jr.

I am honored to serve as co-chair of the CISE 2024 Annual Campaign alongside CISE Board Chair David Williams. The mission of CISE to provide high-quality Catholic education to students in Cincinnati’s inner-city communities is something I am deeply passionate about. I am grateful for the opportunity to support this vital cause.

Our journey with Catholic education began when my wife, Paula, and I chose to send our two sons to St. Xavier High School, despite living in Wyoming, which offers an excellent public school system. This decision remains one of the best we’ve ever made as parents. Our younger son, a 2016 graduate, now thrives in the technology field with a master’s degree in business data analytics. Our older son, a 2014 graduate, completed medical school and is currently a dermatology resident at George Washington University.

Though we are not Catholic, we have come to fully appreciate the profound value of a Catholic values-based education. The principles instilled at St. Xavier played a pivotal role in shaping our sons into the responsible, accomplished, and compassionate men they are today.

When my friends Phil and Dave asked me to get involved with CISE, I was honored to join the effort. My visit to St. Francis Seraph School in Over-the-Rhine was an unforgettable experience that brought me back to my own childhood in Hamilton’s inner-city. The warmth, empathy, and unconditional support from the teachers reminded me of the central role that school and church played in my upbringing. The atmosphere at St. Francis Seraph was powerful and moving, reaffirming my belief in the transformative impact of values-based education.

CISE’s mission to provide high-quality Catholic education to students from inner-city communities is not just admirable—it is essential. The genuine support and positive environment I witnessed at St. Francis Seraph and other CISE schools give these students a real opportunity to succeed, regardless of their background.

I am privileged to be part of this effort and deeply grateful to everyone supporting CISE. Your dedication makes an incredible difference in the lives of these students, and I encourage others to join in this important cause. Thank you for your unwavering commitment to empowering our students and strengthening our community.

Sincerely,

Nate Lampley, Jr.

J.McLaughlin Sip & Shop

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2nd Annual J.McLaughlin Sip & Shop

Thank you to everyone who joined us for our Sip & Shop fundraiser at J.McLaughlin last week! It was a fantastic evening, and we’re thrilled to share that we raised over $3,000 to support CISE in providing a faith-based education for children in our urban communities. A special thank you to Louise Stakelin, Tricia Castellini, and the wonderful women from J.McLaughlin – Julie, Mary Ann, and Pam – for making the event such a success!