Following graduation, much has changed! In June of 2021, I got married to my husband who I met at CUA. In April of 2022, we welcomed our first son, Ronan! My husband and I have been teaching and working with FOCUS Missions, otherwise known as the “Fellowship of Catholic University Students”. The goal of the mission is to provide a space on University campuses for a Catholic community to develop; welcoming all to learn about the faith by encouraging questions/discussions/Bible studies and times of prayer. We are currently serving at Stony Brook University, a diverse public school in Long Island, NY.

During this time, I have been staying home with our son (who will be walking any day now!). However, FOCUS is very family oriented, so I am able to play a role on campus as a stay at home mom. Ronan & I travel to campus to simply be with students, listen to their experiences on campus as well as their journey with God. It is a privilege to be in the role of listening & mentoring as our faith community grows. I studied both Theology & Anthropology at CUA. I always loved to combine the two, as I felt they were inseparable. They provided a mutual enrichment in my time of study. I am passionate about my Catholic faith as well as learning about the faiths/life experiences of others.

It is truly powerful when we give people the space to be listened to. Studying anthropology at CUA provided me with a new perspective of receiving the other person. Each person is so incredibly unique— coming from different backgrounds, upbringings, traditions, beliefs. To give someone the chance to be heard, and to receive them with a genuine interest is transformative. Treating the person as a gift, rather than a means to an end, makes all of the difference.

I am grateful for my degree in anthropology as it has taught me to more deeply value the people around me, to receive their stories as gift, and to welcome those who may be considered “outcasted”. For each person is unrepeatable!