St. Kate's and River Valley Girl Scouts form new mentoring partnership

By Ella Tracy

On Feb. 13th, 2025, St. Catherine University president Marcheta Evans, PhD, and Girl Scouts River Valleys (GSRV) CEO Marisa Williams signed a newly developed agreement to establish a partnership between Scouts and St. Kate’s students. The partnership will give Girl Scouts access to “mentorship, workshops and leadership development opportunities,” according to Evans. 

Evans expressed that the agreement is rooted in the empowerment of women and enriching both St. Kate’s students and GSRV. Williams reached out to St. Kate’s believing that this partnership was a “natural fit” and would allow both communities to “[lift] each other up personally and professionally,” Evans recalled. “This collaboration reflects our shared commitment to fostering leadership, confidence and purpose-driven lives for girls and women.” 

“Girl Scouts will have access to certain campus facilities for events [and] workshops…helping them navigate their paths to higher education and beyond,” Evans explained. “In turn, GSRV brings a pipeline of future leaders who will engage with our faculty, students and campus initiatives, strengthening St. Kate’s role as a hub for leadership development in young women.” 

Evans said that St. Kate’s students should keep an eye out for upcoming mentorship opportunities with the Scouts. “We are actively working with multiple offices, including the Office of Scholarly Engagement and Student Affairs, to define the structure of the mentorship program.” Evans hopes this partnership will allow students to “engage in meaningful service that aligns with their academic and career aspirations.” 

This partnership was also influenced by Evans’ firm belief in the importance of mentorship. “Mentors like teachers, older students, my grandmother, and community partners were absolutely essential to me as I found my way from high school to a calling in counseling and education,” she said. “Together, St. Catherine University and Girl Scouts River Valleys are uniquely positioned to bolster support systems for girls today as they build the tools necessary to become leaders of tomorrow.”

“By connecting young girls with college students who understand their experiences, we create a continuous cycle of empowerment that shapes the next generation of women leaders,” Evans concluded. “This partnership is about more than just programming—it’s about building a legacy of leadership. As the President of one of the largest women’s universities in the nation, I see firsthand how vital it is for young women to have visible role models, strong mentors, and opportunities to lead. St. Kate’s is proud to stand alongside Girl Scouts River Valley, ensuring that every girl who dares to lead knows she has a village behind her.”