Dominican Sisters of Peace Member and Global Public Health Leader Steps Into Key Mission Role During College’s Historic Centennial Celebration

Albertus Magnus College and the Dominican Sisters of Peace are pleased to announce the appointment of Sister Ellen Coates, O.P., MPH, as the College’s next Assistant to the President for Dominican Mission and Chief Mission Officer. Sister Ellen, a dedicated member of the Dominican Sisters of Peace, brings to the role an exceptional blend of pastoral ministry, community-based leadership, and decades of global leadership experience in public health and applied epidemiology.

“We are blessed and thrilled to welcome Sister Ellen Coates to the Albertus Magnus College leadership team during this milestone historic year,” said Dr. Marc M. Camille, President of Albertus Magnus College. “Sister Ellen’s unique background as a global health leader, public health supervisor, and pastoral associate embodies the pursuit of Truth (Veritas) that defines our community. As Albertus celebrates its Centennial, her profound theological reflection and extensive cross-cultural expertise will ensure our Catholic, Dominican heritage remains a guiding, dynamic force for our students, faculty, and staff into our next century. Were it not for the pioneering vision of the founding Dominican Sisters a century ago, we would not be celebrating one hundred years of Albertus impact. I am grateful to Sister Patricia Twohill, O.P., Prioress of the Dominican Sisters of Peace and Vice Chair of our Board of Trustees, for her unwavering commitment to Albertus and for supporting Sister Ellen taking on this new ministry responsibility in this essential mission leadership role.”

Sister Ellen is intimately familiar with the Albertus community, having completed extensive Religious Formation coursework at the College between 2018 and 2024, in addition to her theological studies at the Aquinas Institute of Theology in St. Louis, Missouri. Her vocational formation reflects a lifelong embrace of the Dominican charism and its four pillars: Study, Prayer, Community, and Service. Sr. Ellen made final profession as a Dominican Sister of Peace in 2024.

“I am deeply honored and overjoyed to join Albertus Magnus College, particularly as it celebrates its Centennial year,” said Sister Ellen Coates. “Having walked this campus as a student during my religious formation, I have been continuously impressed with the College’s diversity and vibrant embodiment of the four pillars of Dominican life. To step into the role of Chief Mission Officer during such a monumental anniversary is a profound privilege. I look forward to working with President Camille and the College’s faculty and staff in helping our students understand faith, truth, honor, and integrity as they prepare to shape the future, ensuring the torch of Dominican education burns brightly for generations to come.”

Sister Ellen currently serves as a Pastoral Associate at St. Luke Parish in Southington, Connecticut, where she has led adult faith formation, managed commissioned Eucharistic Ministers, and provided compassionate pastoral care across parish and healthcare settings. Complementing her pastoral ministry is an extensive record of senior leadership roles in global health, including supervising the COVID-19 Case Investigation and Contact Tracing Team at Ohio State University, as well as serving on WHO/UNICEF-led Emergency Polio Outbreak Rapid Assessment teams in Madagascar and Laos for The Communications Initiative. A lifelong learner and educator, she holds a Master of Public Health from Boston University, post-graduate certifications from Harvard University, and a BA with Honors from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Founded in 1925 by the Dominican Sisters of Peace, Albertus is a coeducational Catholic College in the Dominican tradition.