The Venerable Louis Querbes said, “people are bolder when they dream they are doing God’s work,” and the growing mission of the Cristo Rey Institute is a rich, modern expression of this boldness.
The Cristo Rey Network creates greater access to Catholic high school education for families of limited economic means. Network schools must have a sponsoring or endorsing religious community to ensure their Catholic identity. Viatorians founded and sponsor Cristo Rey St. Viator College Prep in North Las Vegas, NV, and we co-endorse Cristo Rey St. Martin College Prep in Waukegan, IL, with two partner communities.
Sometimes, local communities that want to establish a Cristo Rey school cannot secure a partnering religious community. To fill this gap, Viatorians, together with Jesuits, Christian Brothers, and Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth (KS), created a “public juridic person” (PJP), an entity sanctioned by the Vatican to sponsor Catholic ministries. This PJP was first imagined in 2011 and approved in 2017. It was named Cristo Rey Institute (CRI), the first PJP for educational ministry.
“Each of these religious communities sees the Christian message and mission through the lens of its charism. CRI sees things through the lens of lay education ministry,” Fr. Mark Francis, CSV, Provincial, and CRI board member, said. “In a sense, it’s a synodal charism that brings together different parts of the church.”

Linda Nguyen Ishii, Ed.D, CRI Executive Director
CRI’s board includes leaders from these congregations as well as many lay members with relevant expertise. In 2023, Cristo Rey Orange County opened under CRI sponsorship; in 2024, Cristo Rey Miami became CRI’s second school; now, Cristo Rey Charleston, preparing to open, would become CRI’s third school.
CRI reached a new milestone this summer as Linda Nguyen Ishii, Ed.D, was hired as its first permanent Executive Director. When she led the feasibility study for Cristo Rey Orange County, Linda was intrigued to match with CRI as her group sought a sponsor.
“From my early career in campus ministry and theology instruction to my doctoral research on social justice leadership in Catholic secondary schools, my vocation is rooted in serving the Church and advancing the mission of Catholic education,” Linda said. “I am especially drawn to the Cristo Rey Institute’s pivotal role in supporting educational leaders, strengthening our schools’ Catholic identity, and supporting the future of the Cristo Rey Network movement.”
Associate John Dussman, now retired from a career in newspaper marketing and sales, has played a key role in CRI, serving as interim executive director to help set the table for Linda. “When this was started, it was done with new schools in mind,” John said, of the three CRI schools. “But it may become a resource to existing schools, too. It’s really only going to get bigger.”

Mike Daniels, CRI Board Chair
John now shifts to chairing the board’s advancement committee, and Linda and new board chair, Mike Daniels, who is the Director of the Education Office for the Lasallian District of San Francisco New Orleans, have stepped forward. “I believe that the Cristo Rey model is among the most innovative in Catholic secondary education in our country,” Mike said. “Specific to CRI, as a lay leader in our Catholic Church, I feel privileged to join an incredibly talented, dedicated group. We uniquely represent the direction of the Holy Spirit which continues to foster and grow dynamic collaboration among clergy, religious, and lay leaders in the Church.”
Mike is focused on supporting Linda and strengthening and sustaining the charism of CRI as Christ-centered, wisdom-seeking, and in the world. “We will continue to focus on providing high-quality leadership formation for our schools in Orange County and Miami and to accompany the growth of our new school in Charleston,” Linda said. “At the same time, we are committed to advancing the mission of the Cristo Rey Institute by deepening partnerships with religious, ordained, and lay leaders, as well as with organizations and institutions that share our values. These collaborations will be key to ensuring the long-term vitality and sustainability of both the Institute and the broader Cristo Rey movement.”