CatholicPhilly.com staff report • Posted September 14, 2021

Officials from Conwell-Egan Catholic High School and Immaculata University signed an  agreement Sept. 8 in which both schools will collaborate to offer dual enrollment courses and an Academic and Career Academy for CEC students.

With the partnership, Immaculata will invite CEC students to enroll in the university’s courses at Conwell-Egan, based in Fairless Hills, Bucks County, as well as Immaculata’s Online Scholars and Summer Scholars programs.

In addition, the new Academic and Career Academy will provide perspectives to students in four areas: STEM; health sciences and nursing; arts education; social sciences and humanities; and business.

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During their four years of high school, CEC students will explore all four areas with the help of Immaculata’s career development staff, faculty, students, alumni and employer representatives.

“We are proud to offer this unique opportunity to the high school students at Conwell-Egan,” said Angela Tekely, vice president for academic affairs and provost at Immaculata. “Our goal for the Academic and Career Academy is to provide an immersive and enjoyable experience so the students can explore academic and career pathways before entering college.”

Starting this fall, freshmen from CEC will visit Immaculata’s campus near Malvern, Chester County and participate in presentations from each of the four academic clusters.

During their sophomore year, students will select two groups where they will listen to current students and alumni regarding their experiences and discuss various professions from experts on an employer panel. During their junior year, students join two groups of their interest and attend hands-on class sessions.

By the time students reach their senior year, they can delve more fully into an area of interest and discuss various pathways to a career. Faculty will address skills needed, opportunities within the field and options for graduate school.

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“We are thrilled to partner with Immaculata and offer yet another opportunity for our students to discover their leadership potential and make informed college and career decisions,” said CEC Principal Matthew Fischer.

“Our goal is to enable all CEC students to achieve success by developing their skills through concrete experience, observation and reflection, and careful guidance throughout their high school journey. The opportunity for students to gain valuable insight, apply their knowledge and learn how to cultivate their passion is integral to CEC’s mission to develop leaders.”

Immaculate Heart Sister Maureen Lawrence McDermott, chief academic officer and superintendent of secondary schools for the archdiocesan Office of Catholic Education, said the new partnership “is another wonderful example of our school leaders exploring innovative educational opportunities for our students.

“This collaborative initiative,” she said, “aligns beautifully with Conwell-Egan Catholic’s Center for Student Leadership, whose mission is to prepare their students for success beyond their high school career.”

Conwell-Egan Catholic, an archdiocesan co-ed high school, currently enrolls 510 students. Immaculata University, led by the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, offers more than 70 undergraduate and graduate programs and is home to 21 NCAA athletic teams plus a co-ed esports team.