The Vincentian Institute for Social Action

To more visibly embed St. John’s Catholic and Vincentian mission into the educational experience of all our students, St. John’s University has established the Vincentian Institute for Social Action (“VISA”).

VISA provides an organizational focus for a variety of new and ongoing programs through which faculty and students can work together to explore the causes of and develop solutions for poverty and social injustice throughout the world.

VISA encourages collaboration by areas and units throughout our university community – all colleges and schools, student life, and campus ministry – in activities designed to advance the Vincentian commitment to social justice and systemic change. Students have the opportunity to combine study in their academic discipline with experiences that help them develop the knowledge and skills necessary to make a difference in the lives of those in need throughout the globe.

As a Catholic and Vincentian institution, St. John’s seeks to provide students with a strong and distinctive spiritual, values-based education. VISA fosters development of a worldview that recognizes global interdependence and the need for all peoples to work together toward universal social justice.

The Institute is comprised of four interrelated units: a newly constituted Faculty Research Consortium; the Ozanam Scholars Program; Academic Service Learning; and a re-established St. John’s University Press. Dr. James P. Pellow, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, has agreed to assume responsibility for the development and oversight of VISA. Fr. James Maher, CM, Vice President for Student Affairs, will serve as Executive Director.

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The Vincentian Institute for Social Action