Mount Mary University launches the Institute for the Advancement of Women and Children (IAWC), reinforcing its mission to empower women through education, health, and technology support while advancing gender equity, leadership development, and holistic resources for women and families under the leadership of President Isabelle Cherney, PhD.

Mount Mary University, a private Catholic institution in Milwaukee, continues to advance its mission of empowering women with the launch of the Institute for the Advancement of Women and Children (IAWC). Founded under the leadership of President Isabelle Cherney, PhD, the Institute reflects Mount Mary’s longstanding commitment to gender equity, leadership development, and holistic support for women and families.

The Institute was officially introduced during an on-campus launch event, Carrying the Mission Forward, on March 12, 2026. The IAWC integrates four centers that operate as hubs for innovation and community engagement, with a focus on women’s leadership development, health and wellness equity, women’s and children’s rights, and expanded access to technology and STEM opportunities.

Through programming such as professional development workshops, leadership seminars, youth STEM experiences, and community-centered health care initiatives, the Institute equips women and their families with tools to thrive personally, academically, and professionally. Current initiatives include Culturabot™, a project that uses generative artificial intelligence to create culturally responsive health care plans, and the Voices of Leadership series, which brings influential women leaders to campus.

The launch of the Institute for the Advancement of Women and Children reinforces Mount Mary University’s commitment to educating women to lead with courage, compassion, and purpose. By uniting scholarship, service, and innovation, the university prepares the next generation of transformative leaders and changemakers.