Meet Our Board of Directors: Father Chris Collins, SJ

Meet Our Board of Directors series is an invitation for supporters and friends of Aim Higher Foundation to meet the talented and dedicated individuals who give so much of themselves to the students and families we serve.

Fr. Chris Collins presents scholarship support on behalf of the Aim Higher Foundation to Principal Karla Gergen and students of Saint Helena Catholic School.

In this November 2024 issue, we introduce Father Chris Collins, SJ. Father Collins joined the Aim Higher Foundation’s Board of Directors in 2023 and has served on the Development Committee.

Since 2021, Father Collins has been serving as Vice President for Mission at the University of St. Thomas. Prior, he served as Chief Mission Officer at Saint Louis University where he became very active in community engagement initiatives related to urban Catholic education, criminal justice reform, and workforce development.

Father Collins serves on the boards of Boston College, Creighton University, Catholic Charities of St. Paul and Minneapolis, and the Interfaith Action Network of St. Paul. He is the author of the Word Made Love: The Dialogical Theology of Joseph Ratzinger/Benedict XVI and 3 Moments of the Day: Praying with the Heart of Jesus. His newest book Habits of Freedom is published by Ava Maria.

Father Collins offers exceptional experience in the areas of organizational identity, mission, and archdiocesan and community engagement, and has been a valuable contributor as the Aim Higher Foundation seeks to broaden and deepen the impact of its mission throughout the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis.

“I knew the moment I met Father Chris that we would quickly become long-lasting partners in this mission. We share a deep passion for doing whatever it takes to make Catholic schools accessible to all. He is a shining example for all of us and he is gifted with an ability to connect with others that is second to none,” notes Ricky Austin, President of the Aim Higher Foundation.

Father Collins points to the source of this commitment, “Catholic education has been so foundational for me and for my family growing up that I have always been interested in supporting that mission however I can, especially for families who need help providing that same education for their children.”

As a Director, Father Collins measures the impact that the Aim Higher Foundation is making both at the institutional and personal level. He shares, “Certainly there are varying metrics around how much many is raised for scholarships, how many families are supported, and how enrollment in the schools is helped, but I also think of the anecdotal evidence of families expressing gratitude for the support of the broader community in giving their kids the best possible education.”

We all agree that investing in the relationships with the families we serve is an important piece of the foundation’s future. Father Collins expounds, “I’m hopeful that we can further leverage our relationships with families in order to stay in touch with them as their kids move on, perhaps, to Catholic high schools and, God willing Catholic universities like St Thomas!”