Saint Anselm and Manchester School District announce partnership

Saint Anselm College and the Manchester School District are broadening a long-standing partnership with enhanced educational opportunities for Manchester students.

The expanded collaboration with the colleges Office of Partnerships will support college access and preparation, strengthen career pathways for students, and develop mutually beneficial opportunities for grants, research, and other organizational goals.

The College and District will focus on three interconnected areas: students, staff, and systems. One of the many goals of the partnership is to support Manchester students, particularly first-generation students, multilingual learners, and students in grades 7-12, understand, prepare for, and successfully navigate the path to college.

“This partnership with Saint Anselm College is an investment not only in our students, but the entire Manchester community.” says Manchester School District Superintendent, Dr. Jennifer Chmiel. “They truly see the value in our students and what they bring to the table. This partnership will be a betterment of both of our organizations in ways we haven’t even imagined yet.”

The partnership aims to support professional opportunities for Saint Anselm students and alumni within the Manchester School District, including full-time jobs, internships, shadowing, experiential learning, and clinical placements. The collaboration will also strengthen connections between former Manchester School District students now enrolled at Saint Anselm and their community by the creation of an ambassador program that deepens the relationship between the District and the College.

“This partnership reflects our shared commitment to the Manchester community,” says Executive Director of Partnerships and Professor of Philosophy Max Latona, Ph.D. “As a Benedictine, liberal arts institution, Saint Anselm is committed to supporting the education of young people and preparing them for meaningful careers and flourishing lives. We are excited to bring together College faculty, administrators, students, and alumni to support the District and the important work it does for Manchester.”

For many years the College’s Meelia Center for Community Engagement, Education Department, Nursing Department, Social Work program, Admissions Office, and Career Development Center have been working with the Manchester schools to provide tremendous benefit to both the District and the College. The additional coordination will support the district’s evolving needs.

“The relationship between the college and the Manchester School District has developed and strengthened over decades of collaborative work grounded by both organizations’ strong commitment to serve students, families, and the broader community,” said Nickie Lora, Assistant Dean for First Year Students and Community Education. “As members of this community, we are all impacted by our schools in some way, when our schools thrive so do our communities. Through this partnership we extend care and hospitality, while also fostering a community dedicated to taking care of each other and the place we call home.”

The Office of Partnerships at Saint Anselm College is committed to fostering partnerships with external organizations that create meaningful and transformative opportunities for our partners, our communities, and the College.