Introducing Saint Viator's New Department of College & Future Planning

Saint Viator High School is proud to introduce the Department of College & Future Planning, a bold investment in helping every Lion prepare for life after high school with confidence, clarity, and purpose. College preparation has changed. Families now receive information from countless sources, and it’s a lot to navigate.

 

This is exactly why we created the Department of College & Future Planning. It will offer clear, timely, and Saint Viator‑specific guidance so students and families know what matters, when to act, and how to plan well. This department will serve as the school’s central, reliable, and mission‑aligned resource for college preparation, career exploration, and long‑term student development.

 

The Department of College & Future Planning will offer a signature program called Lion Launch Lab. This four‑year advising program will offer all students college exploration, future pathways, student‑athlete support, family education, alumni connections, and senior transition planning into one cohesive Saint Viator journey. Through the Lion Launch Lab, every student will graduate with a plan, a purpose, a profile, a network, and a clear next step.

 

In addition, the Department will work closely with existing partners, including HelloCollege, to continue providing helpful tools and hands-on resources for all students throughout their college-prep journey.

 

In the coming weeks, the Department will host a series of listening sessions as well as distribute a student survey. Their voices will help us design programming that reflects their interests, goals, and ideas. More information coming soon!

 

The Department of College & Future Planning will be led by two dedicated professionals who have deep expertise and bring a shared commitment to our students.

Bari Schwartz, Director of College & Future Planning
Bari Schwartz (Ms. Bari), is honored to join the Saint Viator community as the Director of College and Future Planning. She brings nearly a decade of experience supporting students and families through the college, career, and postsecondary planning process. With a master degree in counseling from The Johns Hopkins University, Bari is passionate about building programs, partnerships, and opportunities that respond directly to the needs of the community.

Her experience includes guiding students through highly competitive college admissions, supporting applications to top colleges and universities, and helping student-athletes navigate the recruiting process with clarity, confidence, and purpose. She is especially committed to helping students understand their strengths, tell their stories well, and prepare for the next step with character, strategy, and self-knowledge. Bari is excited to partner with Saint Viator students, families, faculty, alumni and coaches to expand meaningful pathways and help every student move forward with confidence, purpose, and a strong sense of who they are.

 

Shannon Anne, College & Future Planning Advisor
Shannon Anne is excited to continue her journey at Saint Viator High School as she steps into the role of College and Future Planning Advisor. She brings with her a diverse professional background, combining 20 years of corporate experience with a passion for student development. Shannon earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Communications, along with minors in Marketing and Spanish, from Bradley University, experiences that helped shape her strengths in communication, mentorship and building meaningful connections with others.

 

After a successful career in the corporate world, Shannon made the decision to transition into education in pursuit of work that felt more personally meaningful. She spent three years working in a high school postsecondary department before joining Saint Viator last year as the Director of Administrative Services. As a parent of a current college student and a rising high school junior, Shannon brings a unique perspective to her role, with firsthand experience navigating the very same college and future planning journey that the Saint Viator families are experiencing. She is especially excited for the opportunity to return to what she values most about working in a school community: building strong relationships with students, helping them discover their strengths and interests and supporting them as they navigate the important decisions that shape their future. 

 

More information will be shared throughout the summer as we prepare for the 2026–2027 school year. We look forward to partnering with you and your student as we build a future‑ready, mission‑driven experience for every Lion.