At its recent 2026 Gala, Saint Elizabeth University in Morristown, New Jersey, announced the launch of the Sister Francis Raftery Institute for Women’s Leadership.
Named for the university’s sixth president, the institute is designed to prepare and position women to lead with purpose, integrity, and impact. The program will facilitate scholarships, experiential learning, leadership programming, and academic innovation to expand opportunities for women across disciplines and careers. Additionally, the institute plans to launch a new bachelor’s degree in women’s leadership — the first degree of its kind in the state of New Jersey.
“We celebrated more than an event — we launched a vision,” said Gary B. Crosby, president of Saint Elizabeth University. “The Sister Francis Raftery Institute for Women’s Leadership will shape the next generation of leaders and extend the mission of Saint Elizabeth University in powerful and lasting ways.”