Dominican University in Blauvelt recently announced that Sr. Jennifer Schaaf, O.P.Dm. will be installed as vice president for mission and ministry beginning Sept. 1. Schaaf is a member of the Dominican Sisters of Blauvelt and has been working the past 11 years as an assistant chaplain at St. Thomas More Catholic Chapel and Center at Yale University, New Haven.
“After many years in campus ministry at Yale and previously at Ohio Dominican University, I am excited to take on this role, which brings together my past experience of ministry, my research focus on the charism formation in higher education, and a passion for the future of Dominican life,” said Schaaf. “I know that I am following in the footsteps of many beloved sisters who have served at Dominican University throughout the years and shaped it into the institution it is now — one that truly cares about the students and their success.”
Schaaf’s position reflects a new professional field of mission integration that has emerged in Catholic higher education in response to the growing number of universities founded by religious communities that now have lay leadership, which includes Dominican’s new President, Dr. Manuel Martinez, who hails from Ohio’s Mercy College. “Sr. Jenn represents a new younger generation and the future of the Dominican Sisters of Blauvelt…we are prepared to carry on its proud tradition, while changing with the times to provide the best education for our students,” said interim President Sr. Mary Hughes, O.P.EdD.
