Chronology

2021

June 15-17: ASEC Holds SLDI Virtual Partners Workshop In Preparation For Phase VI
A three-day virtual workshop enabled staff and partners to collaboratively prepare for Phase VI of ASEC’s largest program.

June: ASEC begins working in Lesotho through the Scholarship Program
ASEC’s Scholarship Program expands to Lesotho to fund scholarships for secondary school and certificate-level education for sisters.

May 20: New Associate Member: Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Dubuque, IA

April 20: ASEC Participates in Marywood University's Virtual Research Day
Marywood's Virtual Research Day provides ASEC the opportunity to increase awareness of our mission among university students, faculty, staff and local community.

April 15-17: ASEC CoHosts Charism, Spirituality, Mission and Ministry Webinar with CARA
Through collaboration, ASEC and CARA facilitated a 3-day virtual webinar on Charism, Spirituality, Mission and Ministry for the representatives of National Conferences/Associations of women religious in ASEC’s 10 African countries of operation.

March 29: New Associate Member: Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary, Quebec, Canada

January 23: First Graduation of HESA-Sponsored Students in Cameroon
The first group of HESA-sponsored sisters (7 undergraduates and 2 masters students) graduate in Cameroon. This was also the first Catholic University of Cameroon, Bamenda graduation ceremony held in over four years due to the political crisis in the country.

2020

HESA awarded grant through Conrad N. Hilton Foundation
To deliver Phase III of the HESA program through June 2024

ASEC initiates pilot phase of Ph.D. Scholarship Program
Two doctoral sister-students selected for the pilot phase of ASEC's Ph.D. Scholarship Program to pursue doctoral degrees at ASEC partner institution, the Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA), in Nairobi, Kenya.

September 21-23 and 28-30: ASEC/CARA Host Inaugural International Consultative Research (ICR) Conference as Virtual Event
Researchers from Australia, Poland, Mexico, the United Kingdom, Vietnam, India, Kenya, Cameroon, Lesotho, Nigeria, Uganda, Zambia and the United States were in attendance.

February 12: ASEC begins working in Ghana through the Scholarship Program
To support Catholic Sisters in Africa who are teaching children with special needs.

January 5: ASEC@20 Celebration held in Uganda
Association of the Religious in Uganda (ARU) celebrate ASEC's 20th anniversary.

2019

2019 Partnership Renewals, HESA Program
MOU Renewal University of Kisubi, Uganda / Rosemont College / ASEC (June)
FOR Renewal (4 years) Veritas University, Nigeria / ASEC (August)
FOR Renewal (4 years) Catholic University of Malawi / ASEC (September 18)
FOR Renewal (4 years) Catholic University of Cameroon, Bamenda / ASEC (October 8)

November 5: ASEC@20 Celebration held at Chestnut Hill College
ASEC Founders Chestnut Hill College and the Sisters of St. Joseph celebrate ASEC's 20th anniversary. Read more...

October 26: Bigwa Sisters Seminary Secondary School, Tanzania, receives “Most Improved Schools” award for high academic performance
Many sisters from ASEC's Scholarship Program attend Bigwa.

October: First Institutional Capacity Building (ICB) Workshop held in Ghana
The Institutional Capacity Building (ICB) program of ASEC is meant to support both the internal strength and the external service of National Conferences/Associations and congregations as they strive to positively impact human development.

September: ASEC initiates a pilot Institutional Capacity Building (ICB) program in Ghana
The purpose of the Institutional Capacity Building (ICB) program is to strengthen and/or develop internal systems and structures that will improve the capacity and enhance the vitality, of institutes of Catholic sisters.

June 19-23: First HESA Partners Conference takes place in Kampala, Uganda
Sixty-eight representatives from 23 colleges and universities, 10 national associations of women religious and ASEC staff, participated.

June 12: MOU Rosemont College / Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA)
Hybrid: Online (Rosemont) / Onsite (CUEA) - Sisters in Kenya can transfer from Rosemont to CUEA Business Administration (Bachelor's) program.

March 13: FOR Catholic University Institute of Buea (CUIB), Cameroon / ASEC

March: SLDI awarded grant through Conrad N. Hilton Foundation
to implement Phase V of the SLDI program through March 2022.

2018

2018 Partnership Renewals, HESA Program
FOR Renewal (4 years) Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA), Kenya / ASEC (January 16)
FOR Renewal (4 years) St. Augustine University, Tanzania / ASEC (July)
FOR Renewal (4 years) Catholic University College of Ghana (CUCG) / ASEC (July)
FOR Renewal (4 years) Catholic University of South Sudan / ASEC (July)

October 15: MOU African Sisters Education Collaborative (ASEC) / Jordan University College (JUCO)
Sisters can pursue their studies at JUCO beginning in Phase III of the HESA program

October 1: First SLDI graduation takes place in Lesotho

August 2: MOU Rosemont College / University of Kisubi
To expand the online-onsite Bachelor of Business Administration degree program offered by Rosemont College.

June: Partners Workshops in Kenya and Ghana
Three-day Partners Workshops took place in Kenya and Ghana, bringing together 70 key SLDI stakeholders to collaborate and prepare for the fifth phase of the program.

March: MOU Rosemont College / Catholic University College of Ghana (CUCG)
To expand the online-onsite Bachelor of Business Administration degree program offered by Rosemont College.

2017

November 27: ASEC awarded grant through Conrad N. Hilton Foundation
The funding will provide education and supplies to children in camp sites under the care of the Sisters of Sacred Heart in South Sudan.

November 20: Sr. Draru Mary Cecilia, LSMIG, Ph.D. is appointed Executive Director of ASEC

September: FOR Renewal (4 years) Chemchemi Ya Uzima Institute / ASEC

September: Sr. Marcia Sichol, SHCJ, Ph.D. serves as ASEC's Interim Executive Director (Sept-Nov 2017)

March: ASEC Board Members Dr. Jane Farr, Ph.D. and Sr. Margaret Gannon, IHM, Ph.D. serve as ASEC's Interim Co-Executive Directors (Mar-Sept 2017)

January: Participants of all ASEC programs incorporated into the Alumni Association
Previously, the Alumni Association was only offered to graduates of the SLDI program.

2016

The first SLDI Basic Technology training is held in South Sudan.
A computer lab is established. ASEC partners with Religious Superiors Association of South Sudan (RSASS).

ASEC begins working in Lesotho through the HESA program

ASEC begins working in Malawi and Zambia through the Scholarship Program

MOU Rosemont College / Catholic University College of Ghana (CUCG)

December 6: FOR Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate / ASEC
CARA and ASEC initiate a collaborative project of Visiting Scholars at CARA through a grant funded by Conrad N. Hilton Foundation. ASEC identifies Catholic Sisters in Africa as candidates for the Visiting Scholar program and the selected Sister Scholar joins CARA's research team for a six month fellowship in Washington, DC to develop her skills in applied research. Learn more...

October 16-19: Catholic Sisters: Champions of Sustainable Development Convening held in Nairobi, Kenya.
Organized by the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation and ASEC to foster collaboration among the sisters and other sectors working to make progress on the United Nation's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

September: The first SLDI Basic Technology training is held in Lesotho.
A computer lab is established and a coordinator is hired to support the programs in Lesotho. ASEC partners with Conference of Major Superiors, Lesotho.

July 05: MOU Rosemont College / Catholic University of Cameroon (CATUC) Bamenda
Hybrid: Online (Rosemont) / Onsite (CUCB)

June 14: FOR Monze program

June 14: FOR National University of Lesotho (NUL)

May 03: MOU Rosemont College / Veritas University College

May: International Union Superiors General (UISG) Assembly held in Rome, Italy
UISG Assembly: Weaving Global Solidarity for Life

May: HESA awarded grant through Conrad N. Hilton Foundation
To expand the HESA program through June 2020

April 05: FOR Holy Family Nursing and Midwifery Training College-Berekum, Ghana

March 18: FOR Sacred Heart School of Nursing

March 10: FOR Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences (CUHAS)
electronic

March 07: FOR St. Francis Hospital Nsambya Training School
electronic

March 07: FOR Mwenge University College of Education (MWUCE) in Moshi
electronic

March 01: FOR Uganda Martyrs University (UMU)
electronic

January: ASEC begins working in Malawi through the HESA program
Sisters study at Tangaza College in Kenya

January: The first research training is held in West Africa for staff and partners
Partners and staff from Ghana, Nigeria, and Cameroon participated in the workshop held in Ghana. Facilitated by Ms. Jennifer Mudge, ASEC Staff, and Dr. Samantha Christiansen, Marywood Faculty.

2015

ASEC awarded grant through Connelly Foundation
2015-2016

ASEC begins working in Lesotho through the SLDI program

December 17: FOR Regina Pacis University
During Sr. Jane site visit

December 14: FOR Zambia Catholic University (ZCU)
During Sr. Jane site visit

December 10: FOR Catholic University of Malawi
During Sr. Jane site visit

December 03: FOR Renewal (4 years) Tangaza University College / ASEC
Renewal from 2013 FOR

December: The first research training is held in East Africa for staff and partners
Partners and staff from Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, and South Sudan participated in the workshop held in Nairobi, Kenya. Facilitated by Sr. Jane Wakahiu, ASEC Executive Director, and Rosemary Shaver, ASEC Staff.

November 15: FOR Catholic University of Cameroon (CATUC) Bamenda / ASEC
During Sr. Jane site visit

September 24: MOU Chestnut Hill College / Veritas university College
Hybrid: Online (Chestnut Hill) / Onsite (Veritas)

September 01: FOR Veritas University College / ASEC
During Sr. Jane site visit

August: ASEC begins working in Cameroon through the HESA program
online at Chestnut Hill University

August: SLDI awarded grant through Conrad N. Hilton Foundation
to implement Phase IV of the SLDI through February 2019

January: ASEC staff, partners, and instructors participate in workshop in Nairobi, Kenya
This was the first meeting to gather all staff, partners and instructors together, facilitated by Sr. Jane Wakahiu, ASEC Executive Director, CORAT, Sr. Mary Wairimu, and Ms. Augusta Muthigani

2014

ASEC begins working in Ghana, Nigeria, and Zambia through the HESA program

Canon Law Workshop for Superior Generals is held in Zambia
Over 100 superiors of the Association of Consecrated Women in East and Central Africa (ACWECA) participated in training during the tri-annual plenary meeting.

The first sisters from South Sudan participate in the SLDI program in Kenya and Uganda.

Scholarship recipient Sr. Idda Uisso from Tanzania, begins teaching science at Bigwa Secondary School

ASEC awarded grant through GHR Foundation
2014-2015 for "Voices of Courage"

Sisters from Lesotho participate in SLDI in Zambia

November: ASEC awarded grant through Conrad N. Hilton Foundation
to support the implementation of a development plan through November 2017

August: ASEC awarded grant through Conrad N. Hilton Foundation
to develop a sustainability plan for ASEC through August 2015

July 11: FOR Catholic University of Ghana (CUCG)
to serve sisters, particularly in Ghana and Nigeria, and provide them with educational opportunities through CUCG

June 11: MOU Marywood University / Kisubi Borthers University College
Hybrid: Online (Marywood / Onsite (Kisubi)

January 20: FOR Chemchemi Ya Uzima Institute

January 20: FOR Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA)

January 06: FOR Kisubi Brothers University College

January 06: MOU Marywood / Kisubi Brothers University College (KBUC)
Onsite Model, electronic signing

January: Site visit to Kenya and Uganda conducted to ASEC projects by CRCC, Hilton Foundation's Monitoring, Learning, and Evaluation partner.

January: ASEC holds first annual staff meeting in Nairobi, Kenya
ASEC staff from 8 African countries attended the training.

2013

FOR Tangaza University College

ASEC begins working in Malawi and South Sudan through the SLDI program

Service Learning students donate funds for fish pond at Bigwa Secondary School

FOR Catholic University of South Sudan

Advisory board expanded to include SLDI and HESA

ASEC begins working in Kenya, Tanzania, South Sudan, and Uganda through the HESA program

October 31: MOU Chestnut Hill College / Catholic University of Ghana (CUG)
Hybrid: Online (Chestnut Hill / Onsite (CUG)

August: HESA awarded grant through Conrad N. Hilton Foundation
to support the Higher Education for Sisters in Africa (HESA) Initiative through June 2017

August: Site visits conducted by the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation in Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya and Tanzania

July 25: FOR Saint Augustine University of Tanzania (SAUT) / ASEC

May: SLDI awarded grant through Conrad N. Hilton Foundation
to implement Phase III of SLDI through February 2016

February: SLDI awarded grant through Conrad N. Hilton Foundation
to bridge the transition between Phase II and Phase III of SLDI through February 2014

January: HESA pilot cohort begins studying online at Marywood University.
Students received laptops from ASEC and modems to access internet to study online.

2012

Archives Training Workshop held for 50 sisters from Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania
Workshop facilitated by Sr. Mary Sebecki and Sr. Mary Maher at Chemchemi Ya Uzima Institute in Kenya

ASEC begins working in Cameroon through the SLDI program

ASEC begins working in Tanzania through the Scholarship Program
Provides two-year scholarships for women religious to complete high school or a college diploma. Initiated in 2012 to meet the unique educational needs expressed by sisters in Tanzania.

ASEC provides textbooks for students and provides stipends to support two teachers at Bigwa Secondary School

November: The first HESA orientation takes plase in Nairobi, Kenya
A pilot cohort for HESA program is conducted for 18 sisters from Kenya and Uganda. This was the first time the dream of studying online became a reality. Facilitated by Sr. Margaret Gannon and Sr. Kathleen Burns of Marywood University.

September 02: MOU Marywood University / Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA)
Hybrid: Online (Marywood / Onsite (CUEA)

August: Site visit conducted by the Hilton Foundation to ASEC projects in Nairobi, Kenya
Over 80 sisters graduate and 7 alumni projects were visited by the Hilton Foundation team. Meetings were held with the Association of Sisterhood of Kenya (AOSK).

2011

A borehole (well) is dug at Bigwa Secondary School to provide clean water for students

Construction of science lab at Bigwa Secondary School is completed
Chemistry, Biology and Physics lab

Chestnut Hill and ASEC provides scholarship to Sr. Idda Uisso from Tanzania
with the goal that she will teach science at Bigwa Secondary School.

June: Sr. Jane Wakahiu LSOSF, Ph.D. appointed Executive Director of ASEC

2010

ASEC begins working in Zambia through the SLDI program

Grant through Franciscan Sisters of Chicago for education of Catholic Sisters
2010-2011

ASEC Alumni Association Formed

ASEC awarded grant through GHR Foundation
2010-2011 for construction of science laboratory at Bigwa Secondary School

February: SLDI awarded grant through Conrad N. Hilton Foundation
to continue Phase II of the SLDI program through December 2012

2009

ASEC awarded grant through GHR Foundation
2009-2010 - to upgrade Math & Science at Bigwa School

2008

SLDI Advisory board is established.
SLDI advisory board is constituted

ASEC initiates the Service Learning Program
Provides U.S. college students two-week service learning opportunities in Africa. The first service learning trips were to Morogoro, Tanzania to tutor students at the Bigwa Secondary School.

2007

Jacquelyn Ernster, OSB, Ph.D. is appointed Executive Director of ASEC

ASEC begins working in Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Tanzania, and Uganda through the SLDI program

April: SLDI awarded grant through Conrad N. Hilton Foundation
to design and implement the SLDI program

2006

Sr. Carol Jean, Chair of ASEC, and a team of ASEC board members meet with Steve Hilton to establish partnership and initiate SLDI program

ASEC obtains 501(c)(3) nonprofit status

Sr. Anne Munley is appointed first Executive Director of ASEC
ASEC offices are established at Marywood University.

2005

Tanzania Conference Association of Sisters (TCAS) partners with ASEC
TCAS partners with ASEC to support the Bigwa School to upgrade to "A" level status in order to provide high school education to women religious. (This is the first step toward initiating ASEC's Scholarship Program in 2012.)

Computer labs are ready for use in 5 countries and technology workshops initiated.
Computer labs are set up and ready for use in each of the five African countries where ASEC is active (Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania); a series of technology workshops are initiated.

2004

September: African sisters come to the U.S. for a Fall Conference
United States Conference, "Women Religious Bridge the Gap: Collaborative Education for Service," hosted by ASEC. A total of 25 women religious from sub-Saharan African countries attend the two-week program at Chestnut Hill and Marywood University. Each participant is provided with a laptop. The sisters tour ASEC's founding member institutions.

June: First computer labs and training centers established.
ASEC conducts site visits in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and Ghana. Meet with the Executive Committee of the religious congregations for each country, detailing and reviewing the program, clearly establishing accountabilities, learning of local issues and challenges, developing solutions and agreeing to next steps. Computer labs in Nairobi, Kenya and Cape Coast, Ghana were inspected.

2001

2001-2003: Planning efforts and site visits
ASEC undertakes planning efforts and additional site visits in Africa. Sr. Anne Munley, IHM, serves as Project Coordinator; ASEC is awarded two planning grants from the Conrad N. Hilton Fund for Sisters.

1999

ASEC, a momement geared towards supporting women religious in Africa, is inaugurated.

1995

Needs assessment and site visit in Africa
ASEC's founding members, together with national associations of women religious in Africa, conduct needs assessment and a site visit in Africa.