FOR 140 YEARS, Academy of the Holy Names’ (AHN) dedication to nurturing and empowering young women in the Capital Region formed generations of strong women who are leaders in their communities and professions. Grounded in our core values and compelling mission, we aim to build upon our rich legacy. The 2030 Strategic
Plan encapsulates our collective aspirations, uniting our school’s ethos, spirit, and vision.
Utilizing input from AHN stakeholders across the full spectrum of our school community, priorities emerged as pillars to center our future-focused work. These include: sharing our story with a broader audience; ensuring long-term financial sustainability to support future generations of students; expanding our academic programming and the student experience; and building upon our mission and values by reinforcing our core tenets and finding new ways to express our commitments.
This Strategic Plan incorporates the hopes and dreams for our school, our spirit, and our future. Join us as we embark on this journey toward an even brighter tomorrow.
The unique value Holy Names offers as a welcoming and supportive college preparatory school for young women makes it a top choice for many Capital Region families. To share this gift with families unfamiliar with the AHN story, we resolve to:
CREATE and launch a marketing campaign capturing AHN’s distinctive identity as an advanced academic
program nurturing young women and rooted in faith-based values.
ARTICULATE the research-based case for the value of single-sex education.
UTILIZE the “Portrait of a Graduate” to demonstrate the power of an AHN education to transform lives.
SUPPORT AHN families and alumnae as community ambassadors
The future-focused and ambitious programs and initiatives outlined in this Plan will flourish when accompanied by financial support targeting their development and implementation. To achieve this, we resolve to:
EXECUTE AHN’s Strategic Financial Plan, including consideration of a Capital Campaign to support various Strategic Plan objectives.
SECURE support for annual and planned giving.
STRENGTHEN the alumnae network and its connection with AHN.
EXPAND the “Partners in Education” program, a philanthropic opportunity to support young women wishing to attend AHN
PRIORITY 3: PROGRAM EXCELLENCE AND THE STUDENT EXPERIENCE
The standard of excellence for all aspects of student-facing programs of the school are evaluated and modified on an ongoing basis, empowering AHN students to lead purposeful lives and careers. To continue to provide AHN students with the most well-rounded experience possible, we resolve to:
CREATE new courses in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics.
CONTINUE to enhance our excellent liberal arts academic program.
EXPAND opportunities for students to explore unique areas of academic interest.
ENSURE academic and extra-curricular programs promote excellent communication skills necessary for college and eventual career
readiness.
GENERATE additional opportunities for student participation in arts programs including improvements in arts program facilities.
PROVIDE student athletes with competitive opportunities to showcase their talents and foster sportsmanship.
EQUIP high quality facilities to support our programs and evoke pride in the AHN community.
RECRUIT, RETAIN, AND SUPPORT exceptional faculty.
INVESTIGATE the establishment and implementation of public-private partnerships with businesses and universities for student
experiential learning opportunities, as we nurture and develop tomorrow’s leaders.
PRIORITY 4: VALUES-BASED MISSION
To ensure the perpetuation of the mission and core values which have provided generations of our girls with lifelong strength of character and faith, we resolve to:
EXPAND campus ministry programming for student spiritual and leadership growth.
IMPLEMENT comprehensive strategies to ensure accessibility for families who may not be able to afford an AHN tuition.
PRIORITY 1: THE AHN STORY
The unique value Holy Names offers as a welcoming and supportive college preparatory school for young women makes it a top choice for many Capital Region families. To share this gift with families unfamiliar with the AHN story, we resolve to:
CREATE and launch a marketing campaign capturing AHN’s distinctive identity as an advanced academic
program nurturing young women and rooted in faith-based values.
ARTICULATE the research-based case for the value of single-sex education.
UTILIZE the “Portrait of a Graduate” to demonstrate the power of an AHN education to transform lives.
SUPPORT AHN families and alumnae as community ambassadors
PRIORITY 2: DEVELOPING FINANCIAL RESOURCES FOR EDUCATING FUTURE GENERATIONS
The future-focused and ambitious programs and initiatives outlined in this Plan will flourish when accompanied by financial support targeting their development and implementation. To achieve this, we resolve to:
EXECUTE AHN’s Strategic Financial Plan, including consideration of a Capital Campaign to support various Strategic Plan objectives.
SECURE support for annual and planned giving.
STRENGTHEN the alumnae network and its connection with AHN.
EXPAND the “Partners in Education” program, a philanthropic opportunity to support young women wishing to attend AHN
PRIORITY 3: PROGRAM EXCELLENCE AND THE STUDENT EXPERIENCE
The standard of excellence for all aspects of student-facing programs of the school are evaluated and modified on an ongoing basis, empowering AHN students to lead purposeful lives and careers. To continue to provide AHN students with the most well-rounded experience possible, we resolve to:
CREATE new courses in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics.
CONTINUE to enhance our excellent liberal arts academic program.
EXPAND opportunities for students to explore unique areas of academic interest.
ENSURE academic and extra-curricular programs promote excellent communication skills necessary for college and eventual career
readiness.
GENERATE additional opportunities for student participation in arts programs including improvements in arts program facilities.
PROVIDE student athletes with competitive opportunities to showcase their talents and foster sportsmanship.
EQUIP high quality facilities to support our programs and evoke pride in the AHN community.
RECRUIT, RETAIN, AND SUPPORT exceptional faculty.
INVESTIGATE the establishment and implementation of public-private partnerships with businesses and universities for student
experiential learning opportunities, as we nurture and develop tomorrow’s leaders.
PRIORITY 4: VALUES-BASED MISSION
To ensure the perpetuation of the mission and core values which have provided generations of our girls with lifelong strength of character and faith, we resolve to:
EXPAND campus ministry programming for student spiritual and leadership growth.
IMPLEMENT comprehensive strategies to ensure accessibility for families who may not be able to afford an AHN tuition.
CORE VALUES OF THE SNJM
DEDICATION TO JUSTICE: Committing time, energy, and resources to the pursuit of right relationships of equality, justice, and solidarity
SERVICE TO PEOPLE WHO ARE POOR OR MARGINALIZED: Reaching out and responding to people who are impoverished,
abandoned or living on the fringes of society
EDUCATION IN THE FAITH: Creating an atmosphere which invites people to live, develop and express their faith
HOSPITALITY: Being a gracious, accepting, and welcoming presence for each person
DEDICATION TO WOMEN AND CHILDREN: Seeing, understanding, and responding to the needs of women and children
COMMITMENT TO LIBERATING ACTION: Seeking with others the freedom needed to live life fully without oppression
FULL DEVELOPMENT OF THE HUMAN PERSON: Cultivating and respecting the talents, abilities, and potential of each person, contributing to the development of all aspects of a person’s life
LOVE FOR THE NAMES OF JESUS AND MARY: Embracing as guide, inspiration and strength the persons and names of Jesus and Mary<
PORTRAIT OF A GRADUATE
ACADEMY OF THE HOLY NAMES GRADUATES
ENGAGE actively in service to their communities – both local and global.
DISCOVER their unique voices and ignite their passions.
CULTIVATE loving relationships with God, with other people, and with the earth.
LEAD confidently through example and action.
CREATE solutions and drive innovations that build a better world.
PRIORITY
DEVELOPMENT
TEAMS
Kendra Astemborski ’07, Chair
David Perritano
Robin Henderson Tocci ’83
Rhea Clark ’58
Lissa McNaughton ’77, P ’22
Kellyanne Murray ’77, P ’13
Madeline Ryan Forman ’09
Kristin Vivian, P ’14 ’17, Chair
Michelle Mahon ’99
Erin Shea ’95
Gregg Wilbur
Regina LaGatta ’70, P ’98
Chris Edwards P ’14
Kate Loughney ’03
Margaret Taranto, Chair
Kathy Witherspoon
Annemarie McGarry ’86
Danielle LeBuis-Koenig ’94
Teagan Waddingham
Maureen Harris P ’19, P ’21
Guliano Franzini
Catherine Gibbons
Bernadette McSparron, Chair
Janet Walton, ’60 SNJM
Ann Rento ’81 P ’17, ’18
Shawn Allen
Theresa Moran
Nancy Maney P ’11
Maryann Pallante McCarthy ’88, P ’19
Linda Riggers, SNJM
STRATEGIC PLANNING STEERING COMMITTEE
Amy McDonnell P ’15, ’19
Heather Bennett P ’14, ’21
Michelle Mahon ’99
Margaret Taranto
Theresa Moran
Martin Kilbridge, EdD