Saint Mary’s Summer Camps and Programs Launches Leadership and Purpose Institute
As Saint Mary’s College prepares to welcome another season of campers to campus this summer, it does so with a new pre-college program: The Leadership and Purpose Institute.
Developed by Vice President for Mission Molly Gower and Director of Integrated Health Sciences and Human Services Cibele Webb, the Leadership and Purpose Institute will focus on honing leadership qualities through a mission-based lens. Like the College’s other pre-college programs, the Leadership and Purpose Institute is a week-long, overnight camp. Upon completion, campers will receive 1 hour of elective college credit from Saint Mary's College.
Rooted in Saint Mary’s mission, the Institute weaves spiritual reflection into its program, inviting campers to consider how faith, purpose, and vocation inform leadership and service. The program is designed for those looking to dive into their potential and make a meaningful impact on the world. Through experiential learning, engaging speakers, class discussions, and storytelling, participants will explore leadership and service in a multicultural context while strengthening their leadership identity and discerning their calling and vocation.
Gabriela Vieira, Director of Pre-College Programs and Strategic Initiatives, said the program will help high school girls strengthen their leadership skills, deepen their sense of purpose, and explore what it means to lead for the common good. Vieira added that the hope is that by the end of the program, students will leave with a deeper sense of self, a stronger understanding of their capacity to lead, and a renewed confidence in their ability to make a difference in their communities and beyond. “We are excited to add the new Leadership and Purpose Institute to our portfolio,” she said.
In the past, the College offered the Embody Theology Summer Institute, a program that serves as the mission framework for the Leadership and Purpose Institute.
“Embody helped students explore faith, purpose, and vocation through the mission and charism of the Sisters of the Holy Cross,” Webb said. “The Leadership and Purpose Institute builds on that foundation, inviting young women to discover their gifts, name their purpose, and lead in service to others. I have been teaching leadership classes at Saint Mary’s for the past eight years, and I am excited to bring that experience to high school students in a pre-college setting.”
The Leadership and Purpose Institute joins the roster of four other pre-college programs offered at Saint Mary’s. Through these programs, participants explore careers in healthcare, forensic science, business and marketing, and dialogue and democracy. All of them allow students to stay on campus for the week, leading them through a variety of academic and experiential learning opportunities. They live in the College’s residence halls, eat in the dining hall, and meet others who share common interests.
The Leadership and Purpose Institute runs July 19-24 and is open to girls in rising grades 9-12 as of September 2026. Registration is now open. Learn more about the institute here.
February 2, 2026