Sister Antonia McHugh had experience at three educational levels: elementary, secondary, and college. She was among the first faculty appointed to Derham Hall / College of St. Catherine in 1905. From 1914-1917 she served as the first dean of the college; from 1917-1937 she served as the first president of the college. Her work brought national and international recognition of the scholastic curriculum and faculty at the college.
Sister St. John Fournier led the first four Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet to St. Paul in November 1851. They traveled up the Mississippi River on the Steamboat St. Paul from St. Louis, Missouri. About one week after their arrival the Sisters opened St. Joseph's Academy, a boarding and day school. In July 1853, the Sisters of St. Joseph opened St. Joseph's Hospital, Minnesota's first hospital.