Student Leaders from Mercy Colleges and Universities come together in shared mission

On Palm Sunday 2025 we were invited to present at the first ever gathering of the Mercy Student Congress in the US. This new initiative saw student leaders from Mercy Colleges and Universities coming together in shared mission.

This gathering came together from a spark of inspiration that Sean Dever had. Sean is a 2025 graduate of Salve Regina University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Theology with a minor in Economics. During his time at Salve, he served as President of the Student Government Association from 2023 to 2025 and founded the Mercy Student Congress. Sean also contributes to broader efforts as a member of the Opening Doors Youth Advisory Task Group with MIA. He intends on pursuing a career in Catholic higher education administration.

We invited Sean to tell the story of the Mercy Student Congress which he does below:

Attending a Mercy institution of higher education is a profound privilege, one that transforms both mind and spirit by immersing you in a community rooted in an unwavering commitment to compassionate service for those in need. The education that these institutions offer, as a result of the steadfast dedication of Catherine McAuley, is one grounded in both academic excellence and a deep sense of moral responsibility. Her legacy lives on in every Mercy college and university, where students are not only educated in their fields, but formed in Mercy, empowered to carry forward that sacred mission.

It comes as no surprise that such a unique environment as these institutions produces a unique style of student leadership and engagement with administration. When I joined the student government at Salve Regina University in Newport, Rhode Island, I did not expect to be able to have the impact that I did. While my energy might have been fueled by ambition and a strong cup of coffee, the real driving force behind my efforts was the genuine, reciprocal relationship between the administration and the students we served. There was a permanent openness to dialogue and a deeply shared interest in making more meaningful and valuable experiences for our students. I was able to engage with senior leadership and every imaginable community partner on a plethora of topics that I had never even considered before when considering how universities operate.

When collaborating with my counterparts at other schools in the region which did not belong to the Mercy tradition, I found many similarities in procedures and operations which was a critically valuable opportunity and certainly worthwhile but there was a difference. I could see the unique ways in which our mission at Salve differentiated us. I began researching the other Mercy colleges and universities in the United States to explore their student governments and see if there were any best practices that we could adopt at Salve. As I was doing this research, I was astounded to find some oddly specific commonalities in minutes and reports, it was clear that there was a connection between our missions and visions, despite never explicitly collaborating.

From inspiration to action

That realization sparked a conversation with a few of my peers, we started talking about how amazing it would be to have a stronger connection with our sister Mercy schools. So, like any student government rep on a mission, I brought it up at my next meeting with our Chancellor, Sister Therese Antone. Her lifelong commitment to Mercy has inspired generations of students, myself included, and true to form, she didn’t hesitate for a second. She lit up at the idea, immediately offering thoughtful advice and encouragement that made me feel like this was actually something I could make happen.

From there, I reached out to another incredible mentor, Dr. Theresa Ladrigan-Whelpley, Kathleen B. Walgreen Vice President for Mission, Planning, and Innovation at Salve. She helped me shape my ideas into something actionable, and then connected me with Dr. Julia Cavallo, Executive Director of the Conference for Mercy Higher Education (CMHE). With both of them on board, the vision of bringing Mercy student leaders together across the country started to take real shape. They didn’t just support the idea, they became my partners in building it.

As strong as a Mercy institution is because of its nature, it still faces the challenge that any student leadership organization must confront to be long-lasting and meaningful: the transient nature of being a student. With this in mind, we knew we wanted to build something that would remain consistent over the years, not bound to Salve, but accessible and tangible for each of the 17 Mercy higher education institutions in the United States. Through research, discussions, and brainstorming, we developed the concept of the Mercy Student Congress (MSC), which, thanks to Dr. Cavallo’s generosity, will exist within the structure of the CMHE.

The Mercy Student Congress is born

The Mercy Student Congress will essentially serve as the bridge between the student governments at all CMHE-recognized Mercy institutions of post-secondary education in the United States, and accordingly between all student bodies. It will function as a collaborative body where elected undergraduate student leaders regularly share best practices and current initiatives from their respective campuses for mutual growth. When challenges arise, members can turn to one another for guidance and solidarity. In addition to advising and helping coordinate their own student government operations, members will have the capacity to vote on joint resolutions and issue unified statements to advocate for student interests across institutions.

We reached out to all seventeen institutions to invite anyone interested to join this new organization, and many responded with enthusiasm. Over the next few months, I worked closely with my incredible Executive Board and the amazing team at Gwynedd Mercy University, led by Shyanne Melendez, to bring the Mercy Student Congress to life. Our focus was planning the kickoff: a virtual conference in April that would mark the first time student leadership teams from all Mercy schools came together. After many long hours and thoughtful conversations, the event came together, and we were thrilled to announce our keynote speaker: Sister Margaret Daly, Head of Heritage and Spirituality for Mercy International Association.

We can begin with two

The conference itself was a true success. For the first time, student leaders from Mercy colleges and universities across the country came together in shared mission, and the sense of unity was undeniable. We felt the spirit of Mercy in every conversation, it was a powerful reminder that, as Catherine McAuley once said, as important as a good beginning is, we can begin with two.

During the conference, we unanimously chose Catherine’s Caring Cause, a non-profit organization designed to support asylum seekers in Chicago, as our shared service focus for the coming year. MSC will help guide each participating student government in directing service efforts toward this important work.

We then ratified our Charter, officially establishing the structure of the Mercy Student Congress. To carry this vision forward, Shyanne Melendez of Gwynedd Mercy was elected as President. With nominations now open for additional leadership positions, we’re excited for what’s ahead and deeply grateful for the Mercy tradition that continues to inspire and unite us.

The hope moving forward is that the MSC will serve as an enduring expression of our shared charism, deepening students’ understanding of and attachment to the Mercy tradition through intentional collaboration and mission-driven leadership. Rooted in the legacy of Catherine McAuley, this initiative promotes a common identity among student leaders who, though formed within distinct campus communities, are united by a call to serve courageously with compassion and justice. By supporting CMHE in increasing collaboration across campuses while recognizing the unique identity of each school, MSC equips student leaders to contribute meaningfully to the growth and vitality of their own institutions, encouraging them to see themselves not only as advocates for their peers, but as active partners in shaping the future of their universities. As a nexus for communication and engagement across a network of more than 30,000 students, the Congress offers a powerful opportunity to ensure that the values of Mercy are not only preserved, but actively lived out through the voices of those we have the privilege to educate.

ENDS

With thanks to Sean Dever for this wonderful account of the beginning of the Mercy Student Congress. If you would like to find out more or get in touch with Sean please email us at mercyenews@mercyinternational.ie.