The Sophomore Initiative at Assumption (SOPHIA) is a yearlong academic learning experience for sophomores aimed at discerning vocation in its many forms. Students apply for admission in the spring semester of their first year. Twenty-four students are selected to be SOPHIA Collegians in their second year.  These students take a common course in the fall; meet in small groups with a dedicated faculty mentor; and are invited to participate in a two-week capstone learning and reflective experience in Rome, Italy.  Please contact Prof. Esteban Loustaunau for more information. 

Learn more about the SOPHIA Program

The CPV is committed to creating and promoting academic opportunities for all Assumption students to engage with the big questions that lead to purposeful and meaningful lives. Thanks to the generous support from the Network for Vocation in Undergraduate Education (NetVUE), members from the faculty have developed intellectually stimulating courses that connect purpose and vocational exploration to specific majors and minors.  Below is the list of courses across several academic disciplines.  Please contact Prof. Esteban Loustaunau or consult the University Catalog to learn when these courses are offered.

Courses

Upcoming new courses:

The University's Office of Campus Ministry provides retreat opportunities for students with a desire to grow spiritually. Whether a student is just beginning their spiritual journey or they've been walking the road of faith for some time, they'll find many opportunities for spiritual growth through Campus Ministry. 

START and Horizons Retreats –  for students interested in exploring identity, commitment, faith, prayer, and discipleship.

Genesis Retreat – for first-year students beginning their college experience to reflect on their desires and goals for their first year, as well as to encourage them to use Campus Ministry as a resource as they seek to grow in their faith.

Crossroads Retreat – provides sophomore students with an appreciation of their God-given gifts, their passions and talents, and their sense of vocation.

Senior Retreat - This retreat offers seniors an opportunity to reflect on their college experience and look ahead to their years beyond Assumption.

Learn more

In collaboration with Campus Ministry, the Office of Residential Life at Assumption trains students from all class years to serve as peer ministers in residence halls across campus. Peer ministers work closely with student resident assistants to provide prayer opportunities and to serve as additional pastoral support for students looking for a peer with whom to talk and/or ask questions about faith, life as a college student, or the challenges that come with living on campus in a residential community.  Oftentimes, these conversations lead students to questions of identity, belonging, purpose and life meaning. 

For more information, contact Ben Kadamus and Fr. Ron Sibugan.

The Career Development and Internship Center (CDIC) helps students build the skills and experience they will need for a successful, purposeful, and meaningful career.  CDIC advisors can assist students from the first year through graduation in choosing the academic major, summer internships, and career options that are right for them and ensuring that they have the professional development and networking tools to make those aspirations a reality. The CDIC’s 4 Year Road Map provides students with a checklist of opportunities to consider during each year at Assumption. Focus 2 is an online interactive, self-guided career and education planning system designed to help students make decisions about their future education plans and career goals. 

Learn more

Additional CDIC Resources:

• Students seeking opportunities to connect their personal interests, life goals, and callings with their majors/minors and future careers, can take advantage of the events sponsored by the CDIC.  Some events to keep in mind are:
• Accounting Career & Internship Fair - Every September 
• Alumni Career Networking Night - Every November 
• Graduate School Fair - Every November-Major Decisions – Information sessions for students seeking to find the right major. In collaboration with the Office of the Dean of Undergraduate Studies – Every February
• For more information, contact Shannon Curtis, CDIC Director.

At Assumption, we believe that service is an essential element in preparing students for lives of meaning and purpose. The Community Service Learning Program fuses service and academic inquiry, simultaneously creating memorable educational experiences for students and valuable service to the greater Worcester community.  Assumption students can choose to take CSL courses across many disciplines, in a wide range of formats, giving themselves a chance to apply their skills to the world beyond the campus. CSL minors, meanwhile, also participate in local service opportunities through the Reach Our Center and SEND mission trips in collaboration with the Campus Ministry Office.  

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D’Amour Center for Teaching Excellence

Throughout the year, the D’Amour Center for Teaching Excellence, in collaboration with the CPV, offers workshops and training for faculty interested in infusing questions on purpose and vocation in their own teaching, scholarship, and service. 

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CRS Service and Reflection Day at Noonday Farm

Every fall, our Catholic Relief Services Global Campus faculty liaisons organize a service and reflection day at Noonday Farm in Winchendon, MA.  Part of the Catholic Worker Movement, Noonday is a small farm where the staff donates their completely organic produce and eggs to local families struggling with food insecurity. Volunteering at Noonday is a great service opportunity for faculty to build community by working together and sharing stories of purpose and vocation with one another. For more information, contact Prof. David Crowley, CRS Global Campus Coordinator.

Career Development and Internship Center

The CDIC provides practical resources for faculty advisors and mentors to support students in making a connection between their majors and different potential career fields upon graduation. The CDIC assists faculty as they help students navigate through career development and purpose exploration.  Some of the CDIC services include: classroom presentations, hosting guest speakers, planning events with alumni, career communities, the 4 Year Road Map and Focus 2 to help students make decisions about their future education plans and career goals. 

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Vocation Matters A NetVUE Blog

Faculty can access new scholarly resources on purpose and vocation through this blog sponsored by NetVUE, which is administered by the Council of Independent Colleges through a generous grant from the Lilly Endowment, Inc. 

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Robert Bellin, Ph.D. – Director of Vocare, College of the Holy Cross

Conway Campbell, Sr. Ed.D. – Vice-President for Student Success

Deacon Paul Covino – Director of Campus Ministry

David Crowley, Ph.D. – Catholic Relief Services Global Campus and SOPHIA Faculty Mentor

Shannon Curtis – Director of the Career Development and Internship Center

Paula Fitzpatrick, Ph.D. - Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

Eloise Knowlton, Ph.D. – Dean of Undergraduate Studies

Fr. Richard Lamoureux A.A. – Augustinians of the Assumption, Vice-President for Mission

Mike Land, Ph.D.– Director of the Community Service Learning Program

Jim Lang, Ph.D.– Director of the D'Amour Center for Teaching Excellence

Esteban Loustaunau, Ph.D. – Director of the Center for Purpose and Vocation

Sandy Piwko - Director of the Associate Missionaries of the Assumption

Many faculty and staff members within the Assumption community serve with their time and talents to support students in their pursuit for purpose, life meaning, and callings.  Take a look at who is working across our various services, retreats, and programs.

SOPHIA Program

Esteban Loustaunau, Director

David Crowley, Faculty Mentor

Maria Parmley, Faculty Mentor

Paul Piwko, Faculty Mentor

Cathleen Stutz, Faculty Mentor

Career Development and Internship Center

Shannon Curtis, Director

Kelly Stairs, Career Advisor

Community Service Learning Program

Michael Land, Director

Susan Hayes, Community Service Learning Coordinator

Campus Ministry

Stephanie McCaffrey, Associate Director

Fr. Ronald Sibugan, A.A., Campus Minister

Office of Residential Life

Ben Kadamus, Associate Director of Residential Life

D’Amour Center for Teaching Excellence

James Lang, Director

Sarah Cavanagh, Associate Director

Catholic Relief Services Global Campus Liaisons

Betsy Colby Davie, CRS Global Campus Liaison

David Crowley, CRS Global Campus Coordinator

Cary LeBlanc, CRS Global Campus Liaison

Smriti Rao, CRS Global Campus Liaison

Center for Purpose and Vocation Student Interns:

• Sofia Boncaldo, '21
• John Brennan, '21
• Kylie Chisholm, ‘20
• Renée Cordio, '20
• Aditya Nathan, '21