Humanitarian Service Award Winner
The Humanitarian Service Award is presented for exceptional service to humanity through civic, faith-based or educational endeavors.
Jane Schissel ’83 – Humanitarian Service Award
Since graduating from Clarke in 1983, Jane Schissel has dedicated her life to serving others through education, advocacy, faith, and community outreach. From classrooms and libraries in Colorado to housing and feeding individuals experiencing homelessness today, her work has consistently centered on dignity, compassion, and opportunity for all people.
After graduating from Clarke, Jane began a lifelong career in education that shaped the lives of countless students across Colorado. She taught social studies at St. Scholastica and later became part of the founding team that launched the Girls Division at Regis Jesuit High School in Denver, helping create expanded educational opportunities for young women in Catholic education.
Throughout her career, Jane focused especially on supporting students who needed stronger connections, greater opportunity, and deeper community support. While working in the Boulder Valley School District, she collaborated with the Career Readiness Academy to secure grant funding for students facing social and economic barriers. Her efforts helped create programs that strengthened both educational and personal growth opportunities for underserved students.
Jane also found creative ways to connect service and education. In one initiative at Broomfield High School, she invited students to pay library fines with canned food donations for local food pantries, resulting in more than 800 pounds of food collected for families in need.
Her work in education earned statewide recognition. Jane received the Highly Effective Schools Through Libraries designation from the Colorado Department of Education and Colorado State Library, and in 2021 was recognized with a letter of merit from Congressman Joe Neguse for her leadership and dedication to students during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Even beyond the classroom, Jane continued building opportunities for young people to engage with service and social justice. Through her involvement with PeaceJam, she mentored students participating in service projects connected to Nobel Peace Laureates, including Nelson Mandela, the Dalai Lama, and Jody Williams.
After retiring from education, Jane began a new chapter of service in Grand Junction, Colorado. At the request of Sr. Karen Bland, OSB, she joined Catholic Outreach in 2024 as assistant executive director and became executive director in 2025.
Today, Jane oversees a large community effort dedicated to serving individuals and families experiencing homelessness and poverty. Alongside a staff of 16 and more than 500 volunteers, Catholic Outreach provides meals, food pantry services, clothing assistance, laundry facilities, eviction prevention programs, and transitional housing support. Jane also helps lead housing initiatives such as Mother Teresa Place, which opened in 2025.
Those who know her work often refer to her simply as “Sister Jane,” a reflection of the compassion, humility, and care she brings to the people she serves.
“This is not a position I sought,” Jane shares. “It was an invitation to serve.”
Her work continues to reflect the BVM Core Values of education, charity, freedom, and justice that first took root during her time at Clarke. She has remained connected to the university through annual giving, estate support, and efforts to help future education students pursuing teaching licenses.
“The values cultivated at Clarke became an integral part of who I am,” she says. “They provided a strong foundation for both my personal and professional life.”
Whether supporting students, preserving community history, mentoring young leaders, or helping individuals move from homelessness into stable housing, Jane’s work has consistently focused on restoring dignity, building belonging, and creating hope for others.