Saint Mary’s Summer Camps and Programs Flourish with the Help of Lilly Endowment

Saint Mary’s College has received a $500,000 grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. through its Indiana Youth Programs on Campus (IYPC) Initiative. This is the second IYPC award, following a $1 million grant in 2022 to help the college expand its academic and career-focused summer programs serving youth across Indiana and beyond.

The three-year award will help the College strengthen high school students’ access to the campus’s fast-growing portfolio of pre-college institutes in healthcare, business, forensic science, dialogue and democracy, and the arts. Demand for many of these programs continues to rise, with several filling up quickly

The funding will enable Saint Mary’s to increase scholarships and travel assistance for first-generation and under-resourced students; enhance safety and staffing infrastructure; and expand year-round engagement opportunities such as College Exploration Days and academic advising sessions. The College will also continue partnerships with out-of-state organizations, including Summer Up Chicago and the Guadalupe Center, to support students who may not otherwise have access to enrichment programs

“We are grateful to Lilly Endowment for making it possible to welcome even more young people to campus,” said President Katie Conboy. “These experiences build confidence, spark curiosity, and help students imagine themselves thriving in college.”

Gabriela Vieira, Director of Pre-College Programs and Strategic Initiatives, shared: “Over the past four years, Saint Mary’s College has leveraged Lilly Endowment’s Indiana Youth Programs on Campus support to expand and strengthen pre-college summer programs. To date, more than 1,500 students have participated in engaging and rigorous programs that combined academic exploration and experiential learning with immersive campus life,” Vieira said. “Scholarships ensured access for students from low-income and underrepresented backgrounds.”

“Being able to come here and have roommates and being able to experience dorm life and lectures has really helped me become more mentally prepared for what college will be like. Saint Mary’s has amazing options for people who want to discover different things,” Says  Forensic Science Institute Camper Daphne R. from St. Louis, MO. 

According to Vieira, funds from Lilly Endowment also support operational improvements, including a streamlined registration system, enhanced counselor training, increased professional staffing, and expanded community partnerships. These improvements further elevate the camper and family experience. Vieira said that Saint Mary’s summer programs reinforce college and career readiness by utilizing Gallup’s CliftonStrengths assessment, which was integrated across all programs to help participants identify their talents and explore future pathways.

The grant will fund scholarships and resources to create the best summer program experience through 2028. Vieira highlights her excitement about continuing to foster a culture of belonging and elevating the camp experience. 

“We can see the incredible impact the camp experience has had on our campers in the growing number of college applications we’re receiving from them in their senior year. They want to come back for four more years,” she said. Priorities for the coming year include expanding access, growing the College’s signature Business and Marketing, Forensics, and Healthcare Institutes, reintroducing the Dialogue and Democracy Institute, and launching a Leadership and Purpose Institute. The grant will also allow for sustainable program models that balance revenue, institutional support, and philanthropy. “As the programs grow, we remain deeply committed to advancing diversity by securing scholarships,” explains Vieira. 

Click here to learn more and register for Saint Mary’s Summer Camps and Pre-College Programs.

 

 January 29, 2026