In late July, more than 130 passionate professionals from across the country gathered at the Georgia Institute of Technology for the Cristo Rey Network's 2026 Summit on College Success. Together, attendees engaged in energizing conversations, exchanged ideas, and built meaningful connections, all in service of the shared goal to strengthen college counseling, alumni advising, university partnerships, and college-going culture across our Cristo Rey schools nationwide.

The event’s featured speakers inspired the community with their words of wisdom and expertise, including Rick Clark, Vice Provost of Enrollment Management, Georgia Institute of Technology, Sofia Gonzalez, High School Teacher, TEDx Speaker, and Education Consultant, Sofia Speaks, and Dr. Timothy Renick, Executive Director, National Institute for Student Success, Georgia State University.

Beyond the conference room, attendees were able to tour several historically Black colleges and universities in the Atlanta area, including Clark University, Morehouse College, and Spelman College. They also had opportunities to build relationships and learn more about postsecondary pathways for Cristo Rey students by engaging with representatives from nearly 30 colleges and universities at the Network's University Partner Meet-and-Greet. 

Summit also served as an opportunity to recognize the schools and leaders raising the bar for college success across the Network with the 2026 Cristo Rey Network College Excellence Awards. We’re proud to celebrate the following honorees for their hard work and achievements: 

• School's Choice Award for Outstanding Cristo Rey Network University Partner: Providence College
• Cristo Rey Network University Partner – Making a Difference: Villanova University
• Excellence in Leadership: Elisa Buckner, Cristo Rey Atlanta Jesuit High School
• Excellence in College & Alumni Counseling: Verbum Dei Jesuit High School
• Excellence in College Applications: Cristo Rey Philadelphia High School
• Excellence in University Partner Commitments: De La Salle North Catholic High School
• Excellence in 4-Year College Matriculation (Class of 2025): Cristo Rey De La Salle East Bay High School
• Excellence in Scholarships: Cristo Rey St. Martin College Prep

We are grateful to this year’s hosts, Georgia Institute of Technology and Cristo Rey Atlanta Jesuit High School, and to Georgia Tech, Dabima, Stonehill College, and Gonzaga University for their generous sponsorship. 

College Counselors and Alumni Advisors left Atlanta energized and ready to continue opening doors for Cristo Rey students, to and through college and into meaningful careers.