AJCU Mission Officers

Chief Mission Officers Conference 2024

Welcome! Creighton University is thrilled to host the gathering for Chief Mission Officers and Companions in Mission across our AJCU network.

Wednesday, October 16 - Friday, October 18

We will start at 3 p.m. on Wednesday and will finish at lunch on Friday.
We also will host an optional session Wednesday morning for first-time mission officers. 

Conference Registration

Please complete the online registration to reserve your spot and pay the $350 registration fee. The fee includes conference materials, meals from Wednesday dinner through Friday lunch, and transportation between hotel and campus. Travel and lodging accommodations will be covered individually.

Register Here

Check-In Table and Conference Meeting Room

The Check-In table will be located outside of the Fitzgerald Board Room on the 4th floor of the Harper Center.

Nearly all of the conference meeting time will occur in the Fitzgerald Board Room on the 4th floor of the Harper Center. (The street address for the Harper Center is 602 N. 20th Street, Omaha, NE 68178)

More information

AJCU MISSION OFFICERS ANNUAL MEETING

Creating a Hope-Filled Future: Fostering Faith, Justice and Reconciliation
October 16 - 18, 2024

All meetings will take place in the Fitzgerald Board Room, Harper Center, unless otherwise noted.



 

Wednesday, October 16, 2024

8:30am - 10:30amJoint Commission of AJCU/JCCUGraves Conference Room, Dean’s Office, 3rd Floor of Harper Center (Breakfast included)
10:00am - 3:30pmRegistrationOutside of the Fitzgerald Board Room, 4th Floor of Harper Center
11:00am - 2:00pmOrientation for New Chief Mission Officers and Retooling for Returning Chief Mission Officers (Optional)Graves Conference Room, Dean’s Office, 3rd Floor of Harper Center (Lunch included)
   
3:00pmWelcome
Opening Prayer
Building Bonds Among Mission Colleagues
Cindy Schmersal, Creighton University and 
Catherine Punsalan-Manlimos
4:00pm

Where am I challenged to find hope in my ministry?

Where do I encounter evidence of hope in my ministry?

Table Discussions and Plenary Sharing

 
5:15pmBreak 
5:30pmSocialWith Jesuits serving at Creighton University
4th floor, School of Dentistry
6:30pmDinnerWith Jesuits serving at Creighton University
4th floor, School of Dentistry

Thursday, October 17, 2024

8:00amMassSt. John's Church
8:45amBreakfast by Province 
9:45am

"Grace Under Pressure: Advancing Our Mission in Times of Financial Stress and Socio-political Division"

Rev. Dennis Holtschneider, CM

Bernardin Fellow of Church Leadership at Catholic Theological Union and former President of the Association of Catholic Colleges and universities.

 
11:00 amBreak 
11:15 am

Talk Respondents, Q&A, and Table Discussions

Respondents: Salvador D. Aceves, EdD, Mary Chase, EdD

 
12:30pmLunch with ICP alumni/ae 
1:30pm

Practical Strategies for Creating Reconciling Campuses in a Time of Division: What We Know So Far

Panel and Table Discussion

Panelists: Milton Bravo, PhD, Ellen Maccarone, PhD, Michele Murray, PhD

 
2:45pmBreak 
3:00pm

Trustees and Senior Leadership Formation: Sharing effective Practices and Resource Needs

Panel and Table Discussion

 
4:30pmBusiness Meeting and Network Planning 
5:30pmExamen 
6:00pmDinner OutingLocation is Gather In Omaha, in the Old Market District

Friday, October 18, 2024

7:45amMorning Prayer 
8:15amBreakfast 
9:00am

Assembly Commission Follow-up: Student Spiritual Growth and Mental Health

Luke Lavin, PhD and Jennifer Abe, PhD

 
10:15amBreak 
10:30am

Assembly Commission Follow-up: The Ignatian Pedagogical Paradigm - Responding to Students and Their Hungers

Ed Peck, PhD and Commission Members

 
11:45amClosing Comments: Reflections by Colleagues on the Fruits of the Meeting and Articulating Next Steps 
12:30pmLunch and Departure 

Creighton has placed a hold on a block of rooms at the Hilton Omaha in downtown Omaha. Please use the reservation link to reserve your room at your earliest convenience. Shuttles will be provided for transportation to and from campus based on the conference schedule.

Group Reservation Form

Hilton Omaha

Wednesday, October 16

  • 2 PM, 2:15 PM, 2:30 PM: Shuttle will depart from Hilton Omaha to bring attendees to campus for the 3 PM conference start; drop-off at the Harper Center
  • (Note: If you are attending the “Joint Commission” that starts at 8:30 AM or the "Orientation for New Mission Officers and Retooling for Veterans" session that starts at 11:00 AM, you will need to provide your own transport to campus)
  • 7:30 PM, 7:45 PM, 8 PM, 8:15 PM: After dinner, a shuttle will depart from the School of Dentistry to bring attendees to the Hilton Omaha

Thursday, October 17

  • 7:15 AM, 7:30 AM, 7:45 AM: Shuttle will depart from the Hilton Omaha to bring attendees to campus; drop-off near St. John’s Church
  • 5:45 PM: Shuttle will begin bringing all attendees from the Harper Center to Gather in Omaha in Omaha’s Old Market for cocktail hour and dinner.
  • 8:15 PM – 8:45 PM: Shuttle will loop between the restaurant and hotel.

Friday, October 18

  • 7 AM, 7:15 AM, 7:30 AM: Shuttle will depart from the Hilton Omaha to bring attendees to campus; drop-off at Harper Center

Lyft and Uber are readily available for transit outside of these arrangements.
Hilton Omaha is a 20-minute walk from Creighton’s campus.
Gather in Omaha is a 15-minute walk from Hilton Omaha.

Street Addresses of All Locations

  • Hilton Omaha: 1001 Cass St.
  • Creighton Campus drop-off/pick-up Harper Center: 602 N. 20th St.
  • School of Dentistry (Wednesday evening Dinner): 2109 Cuming St.
  • St. John’s Church (Thursday morning Mass): 2500 California Plaza
  • Gather in Omaha - (Thursday evening Dinner): 1108 Howard St.

Campus Wireless

The wireless network "CUGuest" is available for your use during the conference (no password needed).

Travel

The Eppley Airfield, Omaha’s airport (OMA), is easy to navigate. The Hilton Omaha provides a free shuttle between the airport and hotel for guests; it is a short 8-minute ride. Creighton’s campus is 10 minutes from the airport.