Tracking Our Success: Connecting with Future Leaders

97 Years Later: How Carlow’s Mercy Heritage Still Lives On

The Ripple Effect, September 2026

Heritage is more than a history lesson. It is the collection of stories, values and choices that continue to shape who we are.

At Carlow, that story begins with the Sisters of Mercy and a willingness to go where they were needed most. It continues in the values that guide our community, in the people who have spent their lives putting Mercy into action, and in the traditions that still connect generations of Celtics today.

On September 24, Carlow celebrates its 97th birthday. Throughout this month, we are reflecting on the people, principles, and moments that have shaped our story, from Catherine McAuley and the founding vision of Mercy to the students, faculty, staff, and alumni who continue that mission today in Pittsburgh and beyond. READ MORE >>

Art That Matters: Professor Sarah Shotland on Story and Community

“If you’re a person who believes that art has the power to do more than self-generate or self-congratulate, you have to be able to walk with someone through their story and hear it and hold it.”

In Sarah Shotland’s classroom, writing is treated as more than an abstract skill. To her, it’s a vehicle for expression. She approaches teaching with the expectation that “in every single classroom, every student is going to have a totally different story,” and making space for those differences is where the real work begins. Her courses become collaborative by design: “Every single class, we become a small team,” she says. “We’re a small family.”

That energy also reflects Sarah’s personality. She’s quick to laugh, down-to-earth, and unapologetically herself (“I’m a garbage can person who is obsessed with Bravo”), while holding high expectations and a clear sense of purpose for herself and her students. READ MORE >>

How Carlow is building a more just and merciful workforce

by John V. Cardone, Vice President of Marketing and Communications

Carlow University approaches workforce development with a conviction uncommon in higher education: preparing people for meaningful careers requires more than teaching marketable skills. It also means shaping professionals who lead ethically with compassion and commitment to service.

Rooted in Carlow’s Mercy heritage, this philosophy shapes the University’s academic programs, employer partnerships, and professional development initiatives. The goal is not simply to help people find better jobs. It is to prepare them to strengthen their organizations, serve their communities, and help create a more just and merciful world. READ MORE >>

Bridging the Nursing Gap: LPN Program

The United States is facing a critical nursing shortage, and Western Pennsylvania is no exception. Healthcare systems are struggling to meet the growing demand for skilled nurses, particularly in long-term care, rehabilitation, and outpatient settings. Carlow University launched its Practical Nursing Certificate Program, a 12-month, full-time program designed to expedite entry into the workforce and bridge critical gaps in patient care. >> Read more

Supporting the Region’s Childcare Workforce: Carlow’s Apprenticeship Program Degree Pathway Program

Nationally, enrollment in traditional teacher preparation programs has dramatically declined over the past fifteen years. Pennsylvania is one of the states with the greatest decline in the number of students in the teacher pipeline. As the need for highly qualified teachers has increased, so has the critical need for highly qualified childcare educators working with children from birth to age five. >> Read more