Grant Funds Professional Development Program, Pathways to Purpose Vocation Initiative
September 23, 2026
St. John Fisher University is one of 46 institutions to receive the Professional Development Award from the The Council of Independent Colleges (CIC), through its Network for Vocation in Undergraduate Education (NetVUE).
The grant will support the Pathways to Purpose Vocation Initiative, a program to help Fisher generate a shared understanding of vocation in alignment with its new Strategic Plan, “Fisher 2030: Pathways to Purpose,” and longstanding Basilian motto “Teach me goodness, discipline, and knowledge.”
Led by Principal Investigators Sarah Mancini-Goebert, director of pastoral care and interfaith engagement, and Jonathan Shelley, assistant professor of English, the year-long program allows faculty and staff from across the campus community to create new connections amongst themselves and fashion new cross-curricular approaches to engage with students as they pursue their academic degree, as well as grow developmentally in their career and larger sense of purpose.
“We are co-collaborators in the success of our students as well as their discomfort and challenges. Recognizing and knowing what role each of us plays in our students’ lives is key to providing the best educational experience possible which engages educating the whole person,” said Mancini-Goebert.
Grant participants include:
Grace Adams, campus ministry coordinator
Dr. Melissa Bissonette, associate professor of English
Kourtney Blackburn, interim director of Lavery Library
Dr. Kathy Broikou, associate professor and chair, inclusive education
Heather DiFino, director of career services
Bianca Genao, program coordinator for multicultural affairs
Chris Keffer, director of academic advising
Dr. Hugh Lambert, assistant professor of accounting
Rene Montedoro, TRIO student support services advisor
Dr. Alexis Munding, assistant professor of nursing
Tiffany Nicholas, associate director of student engagement and leadership
Tim Powers, visiting instructor of psychology and human services
Emma Pyrak, PR specialist
Jen Salmon, associate director of academic advising
Jon Schott, director of campus ministry programs
Dr. Clair Smith, associate professor of economics and chair, division of social sciences
Dr. Omar Watts, associate professor; chair, accounting/finance
Throughout the year, grant participants will meet for discussion guided texts titled, "Let Your Life Speak" by Parker Palmer and "Follow Your Bliss and Other Lies About Calling" by Bonnie J. Miller-McLemore, in addition to composing their own vocation narrative. At the conclusion of the grant, they will create an action plan that articulates three specific ideas they will implement in the 2027-2028 academic year to promote vocational discernment in students.
Grant Funds Professional Development Program, Pathways to Purpose Vocation Initiative2026-09-23T09:22:00-04:00St. John Fisher University is one of 46 institutions to receive the Professional Development Award from the The Council of Independent Colleges (CIC), through its Network for Vocation in Undergraduate Education (NetVUE).The grant will support the Pathways to Purpose Vocation Initiative, a program to help Fisher generate a shared understanding of vocation in alignment with its new Strategic Plan, “Fisher 2030: Pathways to Purpose,” and longstanding Basilian motto “Teach me goodness, discipline, and knowledge.”
Led by Principal Investigators Sarah Mancini-Goebert, director of pastoral care and interfaith engagement, and Jonathan Shelley, assistant professor of English, the year-long program allows faculty and staff from across the campus community to create new connections amongst themselves and fashion new cross-curricular approaches to engage with students as they pursue their academic degree, as well as grow developmentally in their career and larger sense of purpose.
“We are co-collaborators in the success of our students as well as their discomfort and challenges. Recognizing and knowing what role each of us plays in our students’ lives is key to providing the best educational experience possible which engages educating the whole person,” said Mancini-Goebert.
Grant participants include:
Grace Adams, campus ministry coordinator
Dr. Melissa Bissonette, associate professor of English
Kourtney Blackburn, interim director of Lavery Library
Dr. Kathy Broikou, associate professor and chair, inclusive education
Heather DiFino, director of career services
Bianca Genao, program coordinator for multicultural affairs
Chris Keffer, director of academic advising
Dr. Hugh Lambert, assistant professor of accounting
Rene Montedoro, TRIO student support services advisor
Dr. Alexis Munding, assistant professor of nursing
Tiffany Nicholas, associate director of student engagement and leadership
Tim Powers, visiting instructor of psychology and human services
Emma Pyrak, PR specialist
Jen Salmon, associate director of academic advising
Jon Schott, director of campus ministry programs
Dr. Clair Smith, associate professor of economics and chair, division of social sciences
Dr. Omar Watts, associate professor; chair, accounting/finance
Throughout the year, grant participants will meet for discussion guided texts titled, "Let Your Life Speak" by Parker Palmer and "Follow Your Bliss and Other Lies About Calling" by Bonnie J. Miller-McLemore, in addition to composing their own vocation narrative. At the conclusion of the grant, they will create an action plan that articulates three specific ideas they will implement in the 2027-2028 academic year to promote vocational discernment in students./media/news-images/fall-2026/NetVUE-960.jpg
