Ten Saint Joseph’s University students received prestigious scholarships and fellowships for the 2025-2026 academic school year. Across disciplines and continents, the students are using the funding to advance their studies and bring new knowledge back to campus. 

“The Office of Fellowships is incredibly proud of these students, whose hard work, curiosity and determination have led them to these great opportunities,” says Enrique Téllez-Espiga, PhD, director of fellowships. “Whether they are researching solutions to health challenges or engaging in cross-cultural dialogue abroad, they represent what it means to be a Saint Joseph’s student: intellectually driven, globally minded and committed to making a difference."

Here’s a closer look at how two students are putting their scholarship to use.
 

Combating Disease-Causing Bacteria

Abby Robinson, BS ’27, fell in love with research in the microbiology lab of Professor Shantanu Bhatt, PhD. 

“My favorite part of science has always been the lab component,” she explains. “It gives me an outlet for my questions and curiosities and allows me to engage in discovery-based learning. In Dr. Bhatt’s lab, I get to do that every single day.” 

The lab’s work focuses on bacterial pathogens and the role of molecules like small RNA that modulate their virulence. 

“Our data becomes one small step toward the eventual goal of developing drugs to combat these bacterial pathogens,” she says. “I know that my work is going to help people, which I find extremely rewarding — it’s challenging but gratifying work.” 

Her prowess has earned her a Goldwater Scholarship, a prestigious award for students interested in STEM research careers. 

“Not only does this support my academic pursuits financially, but it also provides me with a network of other scholars that I can connect with in my field,” she says. 

Studying Divided Societies Across the Atlantic

With a Fulbright Summer Institute scholarship, Jake Richfield, BS ’27, was off to study divided societies and reconciliation at Queen’s University in Belfast, Northern Ireland. 

The three-week program put Richfield at the center of the society that experienced the Troubles, a three-decade period of violent conflict surrounding Irish independence. 

As a political science major, Richfield has studied international conflict, partition and reconciliation, and says the experience put the conflict into context.

“I don't think I would have really understood the conflict in Northern Ireland if I didn't go,” says Richfield. “Just staying in Belfast, there are probably 100 different flags associated with the conflict. Depending on the flags you see in the neighborhood, you can very much tell whether they were Unionists or Nationalists during the conflict and still today, but it's more political now rather than violent.”

A first-generation college student, this was Richfield’s first opportunity to study abroad — and his first time traveling out of the country. 

“It was really rewarding to see another country, get out of my comfort zone, learn other perspectives and embrace that culture,” he says.

2024-2025 Scholarship & Fellowship Awards 

• Faith Adedokun, BS ’27, Psychology, National Science Foundation Research Experiences for Undergraduates (NSF REU)
• Olivia Beddow, BS ’26, Chemistry, Goldwater Scholarship
• Brielle Cruz, BS ’25, Environmental Science, North American Language and Culture Assistants Program, Spain
• Dorothy Danbury, BA ’27, English; Summer Research Opportunity Program at Northwestern University; Evanston, Illinois
• Grace Donohue, BS ’25, Political Science and Spanish; Jesuit Volunteer Corps; Los Angeles, California
• Andrew Fadgen, BS ’26, Chemistry, Goldwater Scholarship
• Allie Miller, BA ’24, English, Writing and Journalism, and Spanish; North American Language and Culture Assistants Program; Spain
• Anjana Mosakowski, BS ’27, International Relations, Critical Language Scholarship Spark (Arabic)
• Jake Richfield, BS ’27, Political Science; Fulbright Summer Institute at Queen’s University; Belfast, Northern Ireland
• Abby Robinson, BS ’27, Biology, Goldwater Scholarship

This summer, a group of Saint Joseph’s University students got an up-close and personal look at Peru’s education system through an immersive study abroad trip with the Interdisciplinary Doctor of Education Leadership (IDEPEL) program. 

The week-long trip exposed students to problems such as teacher shortages and a lack of access to resources that pervade the educational system on an international level, not just in the United States.

“When we go on a trip like this, we’re meeting with local leaders to determine what these problems are, and more importantly, how they are solving those problems with the resources they have,” says Chris L. Heasley, EdD, director of the IDEPEL program. “Hopefully, this helps us formulate strategies to solve similar problems domestically and helps students understand how interconnected we all are globally.” 

The trip, which has run since 2020, partners with Jesuit institutions across the world. This is the second time the group has gone to Peru, where they planned their itinerary through the study abroad office at the Universidad Antonio Ruiz de Montoya (UARM), a Jesuit university in Pueblo Libre, Peru. 

Throughout the week, the group toured a wide range of schools, including K-12 institutions and universities, in addition to after-school care centers; adult education centers; and nonprofit organizations like Lombriz Feliz, or “The Happy Earthworm,” a woman-run composting group in San Juan de Lurigancho. 

“The students kept returning to how wonderful the experience was and how many more resources they were able to use back in the United States,” Heasley says. “We saw poverty at a level that’s difficult to comprehend here, but we also saw smiles and hope and excitement for life, no matter the circumstances. That’s a refreshing perspective.” 

Nadirah McCauley, EdD ’27, who works as an assistant principal at a charter school in Philadelphia, hopes to apply lessons from the trip in her own work. 

“I want to be able to advocate for my students to learn outside of the classroom so that they can break down barriers in the way I was able to on this trip,” she says. “The places we visited in Peru allowed me to think about if I’m considering all voices and all perspectives in my decision-making and if I can bring any new voices to the table.” 

The demand for healthcare in the United States is accelerating. As the population ages, life expectancy rises and chronic diseases become more common, the need for skilled professionals is greater than ever.

By 2030, one in five Americans will be over 65, increasing the demand for nurses on the front lines of healthcare. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, roughly 189,000 registered nurse positions will open each year over the next decade to keep pace with this demand. 

Saint Joseph’s University is playing a critical role in meeting this need, having welcomed its first class of nursing students on Hawk Hill last fall. The program complements the University’s established nursing program in Lancaster and expands Saint Joseph’s growing portfolio of healthcare offerings across the region.

Hawk Hill’s first-year nursing students began with general education courses, reflecting Saint Joseph’s Jesuit identity and liberal arts tradition. Now in their second year, the students are moving into advanced nursing and clinical coursework. Through an agreement with the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM), students are gaining unparalleled access to advanced simulation and lab experience.

Cross-department collaboration further enriches the student experience. Through the Institute for Clinical Bioethics’ health promoter program, Hawk Hill nursing students are introduced to service opportunities that address health disparities and inequities across the Philadelphia region. For example, the cohort recently assisted with health screenings at the Guatemalan Consulate, where they conducted blood pressure readings, glucose monitoring and cholesterol assessments. Meanwhile, clinical rotations with partners such as Main Line Health and Penn Medicine offer students direct experience in both large hospital systems and community-focused care.

“We want our students to go out into the profession and be prepared to face whatever challenges come their way,” says Melissa Snyder, DEd, FNP, CNE, dean of the School of Nursing and Allied Health. “We want them to enjoy their work, be committed to it and provide care for decades to come.”

Hawk Hill nursing program director Melanie Rodriguez, MSN, RN, CPEN, CNE, agrees.

“These experiences are invaluable,” she adds. They allow students to see a full spectrum of patient care and prepare them to meet the diverse needs of the communities they will serve.”

Rodriguez is confident that Saint Joseph’s nursing students will do more than just help address the shortage.

“Instructors often describe our students as the ‘best students they’ve ever had’ – respectful, kind and eager to learn,” says Rodriguez. “They are already showing the grit and resilience that we love to see in future nurses.”

Big ideas, quick takes. Saint Joseph’s University’s Quick Study brings viewers into the minds of researchers through fast-pasted Q&As that make complex topics accessible.

Do Worms Dream? And Other Sleep-Related Questions

Name: Anthony Gargani, BS ’26, Biology

The Research: Using optogenetics (a light switch for neurons), Gargani and his mentor are exploring how a sleep-promoting receptor influences sleep in microscopic worms — and ultimately humans.

Complex Data? AI Can Help

Name: Philomena Behmer, EdD, Professor of Practice, Department of Biology

The Research: Behmer and her colleagues are exploring how using AI in undergraduate anatomy and physiology courses can strengthen both scientific literacy and ethical decision-making.

COVID-19's Impact on Lung Scans

Name: Megan Ressler, AAS ’25, Nuclear Medicine

The Research: Ressler and her classmates examined how the COVID-19 pandemic affected lung imaging procedures, highlighting changes in patient care, workflow and safety protocols. 

This fall, Saint Joseph’s University launched the region’s first graduate business certificate focused on Neurodiversity in the Workplace — a groundbreaking program that prepares professionals to lead with empathy and effective support for neurodivergent employees, including those on the autism spectrum.

With an estimated 700,000 to 1 million young people with autism expected to turn 18 between 2019 and 2029, the need for inclusive, prepared workplaces has never been greater. The certificate, developed in partnership between the Erivan K. Haub School of Business and the University’s nationally recognized Kinney Center for Autism Education and Support, aims to close that gap.

“Modern workplaces are still learning what it means to truly be inclusive,” says Eric Patton, PhD, professor and chair of management. “This certificate builds on our long-standing commitment to support neurodivergent individuals. Now, we are broadening that commitment to the companies and communities our graduates will serve.” 

The four-course certificate can be completed as a standalone credential or integrated into Saint Joseph’s MBA, MS in Human Resource Management, or MS in Organizational Development and Leadership programs. 

The certificate builds upon Saint Joseph’s existing undergraduate minor in Managing Neurodiversity in the Workplace and strengthens the University’s role as a leader in autism education and advocacy. Kinney Center faculty helped develop the curriculum, ensuring alignment with both cutting-edge research and real-world application.

Saint Joseph’s strong industry partnerships further amplify the program’s value. Organizations such as Philadelphia Insurance Companies, Wawa, Thomas Jefferson University, USLI and Cerity Partners – many of which have established autism-at-work programs – expressed the need for more professionals trained in inclusive management. 

The program also aligns with the University’s strategy to create robust opportunities for students to connect with community initiatives and advocacy work, such as Saint Joseph's ongoing collaboration with the Philadelphia Eagles and the Eagles Autism Foundation.

“We’ve heard directly from industry leaders and employees that this kind of training is urgently needed,” says Joseph McCleery, PhD, associate professor of psychology and academic director of the Kinney Center for Autism Education and Support. “Our certificate program students will leave not only with greater empathy, but also with actionable skills to recruit, retain and support neurodivergent talent.”