Centers, Institutes and Special Offices

Bernard J. Lonergan Institute

Jonathan R. Heaps, Ph.D., Director

Bernard Lonergan, S.J. (1904-1984) was an influential Catholic philosopher and theologian whom Newsweek magazine cited as among “the finest philosophical thinkers of the 20th century.” In November 2006 the Center for Catholic Studies at Seton Hall University inaugurated the Bernard J. Lonergan Institute dedicated to the study of the great thinker’s ideas and their application in contemporary culture. The founder and director of the institute, Monsignor Richard Liddy, was a student of Lonergan’s and has written books and papers about the Jesuit theologian.

The Institute’s mission includes creating a repository of Lonergan’s work, conducting seminars and workshops related to his thought and, in general, promoting the transformation of culture through what Thomas Aquinas called natural and supernatural wisdom.

The Institute also publishes The Lonergan Review, an annual peer-reviewed journal that explores the work of Bernard Lonergan. The journal’s mission is to link explicit self-knowledge - Lonergan’s “self-appropriation” - with the various academic disciplines and professions. It seeks to foster authentic human culture of high ideals, open to religion, the Catholic intellectual tradition and service to the poor. For more information about the Bernard J. Lonergan Institute and other Catholic Studies programs, visit shu.edu/lonergan/

Center for Africana Studies

Simone James Alexander, Ph.D., Director

The Center for Africana Studies, established at the University in 1970, works in cooperation with the Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures and other groups to encourage serious scholarship committed to social change and human rights. The center seeks to involve the entire University in an appreciation of the black experience and places a balanced emphasis on traditional scholarship as well as experiential and co-curricular activities, such as guest lectures, internships, study abroad trips and community activism.

Center for Catholic Studies

Gregory P. Floyd, Ph.D., Director

The Center for Catholic Studies was founded in 1997 to foster an ongoing dialogue between the Catholic intellectual tradition and all areas of study and contemporary culture. In the spirit of the Catholic Church's legacy of bringing forth things "new and old," the Center's scholarly research, publications, and programming serve to generate new initiatives and facilitate conversation and collaboration among faculty, administrators, students, and the general public. The primary function of the Center is to foster the Catholic mission of Seton Hall in creative ways. It endeavors to be an incubator for innovative initiatives in promoting Catholic identity across the university. It fulfills this role for diverse demographics within the university in five principal areas: Faculty Development, Interdisciplinary Collaboration, Intellectual Life, Student Engagement, and Ongoing Innovation. 

The Center maintains a global focus in international scholarship. It houses the G.K. Chesterton Institute for Faith & Culture, The Bernard J. Lonergan Institute, and the Micah Institute for Business and Economics. It publishes two academic journals: The Lonergan Review and The Chesterton Review. The Center is also the home of the Toth-Lonergan Endowed Professorship in Interdisciplinary Studies which supports a visiting professor each year at Seton Hall to assist in mission integration. For more information about the Center for Catholic Studies, visit shu.edu/catholic-studies-center/

Center for Computational Research

Stephen Kelty, Ph.D., Director

The Center for Computational Research’s mission is to complement existing and future basic and applied research being conducted at Seton Hall University through the use of computer-based modeling and simulation tools provided by the center, thereby enhancing the research capabilities and competitiveness of the university. Research collaborations exist with faculty in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, and the Department of Physics.

Center for Diaconal Formation

Deacon Andrew E. Saunders, M.A., Director
Part of Immaculate Conception Seminary School of Theology at Seton Hall University, the Center for Diaconal Formation was founded in 2010 to provide graduate-level formation, in person or online, in English or Spanish, for permanent diaconate candidates. The program is consistent with the intellectual norms established in the National Directory for the Formation, Ministry and Life of Permanent Deacons in the United States (Second Edition, 2021). A student matriculated into the Center’s graduate-level program (12 courses; 36 credits) upon successful completion receives a Master’s Degree in Theology with a Systematic concentration and/or a Certificate in Diaconal Studies. Course curriculum is delivered in English or Spanish at the main campus in South Orange and at three off-campus locations: St. Paul Inside the Walls, 205 Madison Avenue, Madison, NJ; St. John Neumann Pastoral Center, 146 Metlars Lane, Piscataway, NJ; and the Chancery of the Diocese of Trenton, 701 Lawrenceville Road, Lawrenceville, NJ. For remote sending dioceses, course curriculum is delivered online. In addition to graduate-level courses, the Center for Diaconal Formation offers workshops, lectures and presentations for permanent diaconate candidates and their wives, covering a wide variety of topics that address the spiritual, pastoral and human dimensions of diaconal formation, as well as post-ordination diaconal formation and continuing education needs.

For more information about the Center for Diaconal Formation, visit shu.edu/diaconal-formation/ or contact Deacon Andrew E. Saunders, M.A. ’08, Director, at (973) 313-6335.

Center for Faculty Development

Mary Balkun, Ph.D., Director

The Seton Hall University Center for Faculty Development provides services and programs that meet the needs of faculty in the areas of teaching, service, and scholarship over the course of their career at the university. In addition to supporting existing programs offered by departments and schools/colleges, it offers complementary resources and workshops in such areas as scholarly writing, instructional best practices, and work/life balance.

Center for Foreign Policy Studies

Ann Marie Murphy, Ph.D., Director

The Center for Foreign Policy Studies serves as a hub for research, teaching and training in the foreign policy domain. It is committed to policy-relevant scholarship exploring the rapidly changing geopolitical landscape and how states across the world respond to emerging challenges and opportunities.

Through its joint research, teaching and programming activities, the Center aims to provide students with the knowledge, skills, and experiences necessary to prepare them to become effective policymakers, analysts, and advocates.

Center for Functional Materials

Sergiu M. Gorun, Ph.D., Director

The CFM fosters modern STEM research and education. The CFM is entirely funded by grants and contracts with the Federal Government. Students and faculty are supported financially and professionally to generate and disseminate their scholarship via publications and presentations at meetings, while also protecting their intellectual property via patents. Collaborations with scientists and students affiliated with premier US and foreign Universities are part of the Center’s supported activities.

Center for Global Health Studies

Yanzhong Huang, Ph.D., Director

The Center for Global Health Studies is a research center that is dedicated to the interdisciplinary study of health issues from the perspectives of governance, diplomacy, security, human rights, trade and development. The center also serves as a resource center that not only promotes learning and engagement of scholars and students in global health, but also inform and educates policy makers, practitioners, journalists, and the general public on global health issues. Through research, publication and outreach activities, the center aims to raise the academic profile of the School of Diplomacy and International Relations and contribute to Seton Hall’s reputation as a preeminent institution addressing important global issues.

Center for Interprofessional Education in Health Sciences

Genevieve Pinto Zipp, PT, Ed.D., FNAP, Director

The Center for Interprofessional Education in Health Sciences (CIEHS) is the result of the School of Health and Medical Sciences’ (SHMS) faculty-led Task Force on Interprofessional Education’s (IPE) strategic planning efforts to create meaningful and cross-disciplinary educational and research experiences for students, faculty, and clinical partners. CIEHS through its sponsored interprofessional learning experiences actively supports the SHMS’ person-centered care mission. Innovative research opportunities, meaningful scholarship activities rooted in a team science approach, and the Center’s interprofessional “Journey of Professional Transformation” provide a solid foundation for continuous personal and professional growth, immersion in ground-breaking innovations and synergistic collaborations amongst health professions.

Specifically, the “Journey of Professional Transformation” which engages SHMS students in “5 Core Signature IPE Experiences” and “4 On-Line Asynchronous Learning Modules” provides our graduate students a rich and meaningful 2 yearlong continuum of engagement across diverse IPE experiences. Through these experiences our health professions student community comes together to learn with and from each other about person-centered care and the role each professional must play as part of the health care team. The overall objective of these experiences is to support students’ individual growth in teamwork, communication, collaboration, and the appreciation of the diverse roles and responsibilities across health professionals. Each learning experience is designed to develop, foster, and support the person-centered model of care by ensuring that SHMS students recognize and appreciate the interdependency that exists amongst health care professionals.

The cornerstone of the CIEHS is to promote interprofessional engagement from across and beyond the Seton Hall community, to foster student growth as healthcare professionals, and to engage in scholarly endeavors that support and guide the future of healthcare and health professions education.

 

Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship

Susan Scherreik, M.B.A., Director

The Center of Innovation an Entrepreneurship was created in 2003 to raise student awareness of self-employment as a career option and to foster entrepreneurial spirit throughout the campus. The center encourages the collaboration of faculty, students, alumni and entrepreneurs in a variety of activities and projects to advance hands-on entrepreneurial learning. The center sponsors the Pirates Pitch business model competition that awards $16,000 annually in prizes to students with innovative business ideas/startups. The center is integral to the Stillman School’s mandate to prepare students for careers in the 21st century by acknowledging the growing importance of entrepreneurship in the global economy. For more information, visit the center's webpage.

Center for Mobile Research and Innovation

Michael A. Taylor, Ph.D., Director

The Center for Mobile Research and Innovation (CMRI) fosters the investigation of mobile technology through the creation of original research, the promotion of critical partnerships, the development and support of innovative initiatives, and the dissemination of knowledge. CMRI conducts academic research that examines the diverse and complex impact of mobile technology on society through objective assessment and evaluation, and structured pilot programs.

CMRI promotes the development and distribution of applications and services designed to define the next generation of mobile growth, as well as to contribute to the evolution of platform ecosystems and their innovative implementation.

Seton Hall University is a pioneer in the use of technology in higher education and has an institutional commitment to experiential learning and servant leadership. Within this rich setting, CMRI offers formal and informal educational programming, targeting all segments of the community.

For more information about the Center for Mobile Research and Innovation, call (862) 253-6182.

Center for Peace and Conflict Studies

Zheng Wang, Ph.D., Director

The Center for Peace and Conflict Studies promotes interdisciplinary research on a wide range of topics related to peace and conflict with an emphasis on conflict prevention, management, resolution, and post-conflict peace building and reconstruction. The center is committed to advancing the understanding of social conflict, global peace and conflict issues through multidisciplinary, multilevel, and multicultural approaches. Through the center’s ongoing research projects as well as education and practice activities, faculty, students, alumni and colleagues work together to develop the interdisciplinary field of peace and conflict studies. The center aims to improve the cooperation and exchange among faculty members and between faculty and students on issues of peace and conflict studies. The center is also used as a platform to apply for external grants and fellowships and to conduct international exchange between the School of Diplomacy and International Relations and academic institutes of other countries.

Center for Public Service

The Center for Public Service is the University’s arm for outreach programs to the public and nonprofit sectors. Housing the Nonprofit Sector Resource Institute and located in the Department of Political Science and Public Affairs, the center runs a variety of programs to place members of the University community into closer contact with the public and nonprofit organizations that surround us. The center facilitates student internship and practicum placement, organizes speakers and seminars throughout the year, and serves as a clearinghouse for the nonprofit community of Northern New Jersey.

Center for Securities Trading and Analysis

Elven Riley, B.S., Director

The Center for Securities Analysis and Business Analytics is designed to mimic the actual research and trading activities of a security analyst, portfolio manager, financial planner, or a corporate treasurer. Bloomberg Professional Workstations are installed to provide the same real-time dynamic market information flow that industry professionals employ daily. World business news sources on wall monitors complement the experience. The custom wall boards display continuously world market performance through metrics and graphs. Our own student-managed investment fund, a several hundred-thousand-dollar portfolio managed by students, is displayed for constant comparison. 

 The laboratory model encourages interaction and experimentation that provide students with an outstanding opportunity to test the real-world relevance of classroom theories in accounting, finance, economics, business analytics, and international business. The center is open to all students campus-wide to meet and work on their asset management ideas, whether applied to corporations or to individuals, or to do research. The four concentrations – Finance, Mathematical Finance, Finance and Technology, and Financial Mathematics, along with the minor in Wealth Management, direct students to practical work.  

The four finance concentrations are affiliated with the CFA Institute. Students gain hands-on experience in investment analysis and portfolio management through class projects, the student management investment fund, the Jim and Judy O’Brien Capital Markets Colloquium, and the CFA Institute Research Challenge, sourcing both quantitative and qualitative data from the center’s rich and dynamic feeds.   

The Wealth Management minor is especially active in the center, completing practicums in preparation for the Certified Financial Planner (CFP) examination. Industry professionals are invited to speak on current events and opportunities in financial services on both the buy- and sell-side of the industry. 

The center allows both our theoretical academics and our field professionals to transform concepts into practice. Step by step, students become more confident of their skills and more self-aware of how they successfully apply the classroom knowledge to the demands of the market place, a skill set always sought by our corporate partners. 

Center for Sport Management

Charles Grantham, M.B.A., Director

The Center for Sport Management, established in 1996, serves as the center for sport management expertise, nationally and internationally, at the undergraduate, graduate and industry levels. The center offers a cutting-edge approach to sport management education from a business school perspective, offering the B.S.B., the M.B.A., graduate certificates and executive education covering all facets of the sport industry.

In Fall 2006, the center opened the new Seton Hall Sports Poll conducted by the Sharkey Institute. Founded with a major donation from alumnus Tom Sharkey and his wife Ruth, Seton Hall Sports Poll surveys the public on ethical and moral questions regarding current issues in sport and brings national interest to Seton Hall.

Located in the heart of the sport industry, the Center for Sport Management at Seton Hall University provides students with unparalleled internship opportunities in the major and minor leagues, major sports facilities, sport marketing firms, league offices and more; the center takes advantage of its unique location by using industry professionals as instructors and guest lecturers in the classroom. Visit the shu.edu/sport-management/ for more information.

Center for United Nations and Global Governance Studies

Reverend Brian Muzás, Ph.D., Director

The Center for United Nations and Global Governance Studies serves both as an umbrella for coordinating research activities and as a key site for institution building. The center builds research networks internally between School of Diplomacy and International Relations faculty members and students and externally to promote School programs to prospective students and stakeholders. The center uses technology and social media to disseminate knowledge about scholarship on the United Nations and other international actors. Our goal is to be an online leader in disseminating new and different types of material such as briefs, podcasts, and video lectures, that will be accessible to a wide range of academic policy, and public audiences. The research and scholarly activities of the center include speakers and team research projects resulting in both articles and memos. In addition, the center provides important administrative support for existing U.N. initiatives at the School of Diplomacy and International Relations, including the United Nations Intensive Summer Study Program. For more information, please visit us on the web at shu.edu/un-global-governance-studies/

Center for Vocation and Servant Leadership

Rev. Colin Kay, Director

God calls each of us, and every call is in some way a call to serve. The Center for Vocation and Servant Leadership promotes openness to God’s call in both the academic life and common life of Seton Hall University to support the overall mission of forming students as servant leaders in a global society.

The Center began in 2003 supported by a grant from the Lilly Endowment. It currently offers programming for students and professional development for faculty and administrators.

For students it offers a scholarship and leadership program called the Servant Leader Scholarship. Students must maintain a 3.0 GPA, complete 20 hours of service each semester and participate in scheduled meetings and events.

The Center offers a series of three Mission Seminars for faculty and administrators.  The mission integration that is offered culminates in the Praxis Program where foundational principles are learned that enhance the application of the University’s mission to the disciplines.

The Center also offers an annual series of retreats for faculty and administrators, and cosponsors other faculty development programs with various departments across the campus.

Charles and Joan Alberto Italian Studies Institute

Gabriella Romani, Ph.D., Director

The Charles and Joan Alberto Italian Studies Institute was founded in 2003 to coordinate Seton Hall University’s many activities relating to Italian and Italian-American history and culture. The Institute sponsors cultural events, such as lectures and symposia, and promotes curriculum development and community outreach. Additionally, the institute administers several scholarships that are made available to students in Italian Studies and offers a Visiting Fellowship to international scholars. The mission of the institute is to spread the message of the universal relevance and inclusiveness of the Italian contributions to the history of the world and of America, regardless of nationality and ethnic background. For more information contact Dr. Romani at gabriella.romani@shu.edu or (973) 275-2926 or visit shu.edu/alberto-institute/

Elizabeth Ann Seton Center for Women’s Studies

Vanessa May, Ph.D., and Karen Gevirtz, Ph.D., Co-Directors

The Elizabeth Ann Seton Center for Women’s Studies was established in the spirit of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, whose life of activism, spirituality and leadership serves as an inspiration to our community. The center is administered by the Women and Gender Studies Program, which also offers a minor in Women and Gender Studies. Through the program, the center is connected to a wide variety of university programs that are designed to foster a well-informed, rigorous conversation about gender issues and social justice. Consistent with the university’s commitment to preparing students for a life of servant leadership in a diverse, global environment, through the program, the center supports scholarship, professional training and internships. For more information, visit shu.edu/womens-studies/

G.K. Chesterton Institute for Faith and Culture

 Imagining a world with leaders rooted in Chestertonian ideals.

Gloria Garafulich-Grabois, DHS, Director & Managing Editor of The Chesterton Review
Dermot Quinn, D.Phil., editor of The Chesterton Review

G.K. Chesterton (1874-1936) was an English writer whose prolific output included philosophy, poetry, plays, journalism, lectures, literary criticism, biography, Christian apologetics and fiction. The G.K. Chesterton Institute for Faith & Culture was founded in 1974 by Father Ian Boyd, CSB (RIP) and as of 1999 is based at Seton Hall University.  In 2024, the Institute celebrates its 50th anniversary.

The Institute promotes his thought and that of his intellectual circle. More broadly, it explores the application of his ideas to the contemporary world. Chesterton was one of the most versatile writers of his day, with an ability to write accessibly on a range of serious matters, making him a beloved figure. His thought has particular importance for those who value the sacramental tradition, Catholic social teaching, and Christian spirituality. His works have been translated into many languages and because his writings are increasingly the subject of study by students and scholars, they continue to reach new generations of readers. 

The purpose of the Institute is to promote the thought of G. K. Chesterton and his circle and, more broadly, to explore the application of Chestertonian ideas to the contemporary world through conferences and lecture series, seminars, research writing and the publication of The Chesterton Review—also founded by Father Ian Boyd—is a widely respected academic journal. As interest in Chesterton grows, The Chesterton Review is growing too. In response to the revival of Chesterton around the world, The Chesterton Review now publishes special editions in Spanish, Italian, Portuguese and French.

The G. K. Chesterton Institute for Faith & Culture at Seton Hall University is considered the world center for Chesterton’s studies. The work of the Institute promotes the Catholic Intellectual Tradition which is at the center of the work of Seton Hall University.

For more information, please visit our website at shu.edu/chesterton/ or contact the Institute, located in Walsh Library, Room 431, by phone at (973) 275-2431 or email chestertoninstitute@shu.edu. 

Institute for Christian Spirituality

Dianne M. Traflet, J.D., S.T.D., Director

The Institute for Christian Spirituality was created by Immaculate Conception Seminary School of Theology to provide a premier center where those who serve in the Church today may obtain a solid foundation in their faith, learn effective skills in pastoral ministry and leadership and be given tools for discernment and spiritual growth – all in an atmosphere of collaboration and camaraderie.

The Institute’s mission is grounded in 2 Timothy 1:6: “I remind you to stir into flame the gift of God within you.”

Begun in 2005 through a grant from the Lilly Endowment, the Institute accomplishes this goal through various programs, including the Center for Diaconal Formation, the Certificate Program in Catholic Evangelization (in collaboration with St. Paul Inside the Walls, Madison, NJ), and various joint initiatives with the Lay Centre at Foyer Unitas, Rome.

Institute for Communication and Religion

Jon Radwan, Ph.D., Director

The institute provides a nexus for ongoing scholarly exploration of communication topics critically important to religion and society. The institute enhances the University’s and the College’s sustained leadership in fostering open, clear communication between religious institutions and the broader public. The institute enriches and engages the public by hosting scholarly panels, organizing curriculum development workshops, and conducting outcomes-based research. The University’s tradition of an ongoing commitment to ecumenical and interreligious dialogue uniquely positions the institute to serve as a powerful conveyer for this purpose.

Institute for International Business

Larry McCarthy, Ph.D., Director

The Institute for International Business serves as the center of international business expertise for students, faculty and the business community. It fosters the collaboration of faculty, graduate and undergraduate students, to engage in a wide variety of activities and projects to advance the internationalization of the Stillman School of Business.

The institute sponsors international courses, lectures, internships and scholarly exchange for both students and faculty with several leading academic institutions as part of the mission of the Stillman School of Business. Endowed with a grant from the estate of W. Paul Stillman in 1994 to support its initiatives, the institute funds internationally focused faculty research.

At the undergraduate level, the institute offers a minor in international business in which the curriculum includes language and cultural components, as well as core business courses. The Certificate in International Business, offered as part of the M.B.A. program consists of courses in the international aspects of accounting, economics, finance, management and marketing. The certificate is also available to qualified individuals from industry on a non-degree basis.

Institute of Judaeo-Christian Studies

Reverend Lawrence Frizzell, D.Phil., Director

The Institute of Judaeo-Christian Studies, founded in 1953, is primarily a center for research and publication. Its area of study is the Church’s rootedness in Judaism and the relationship between the Church and the Jewish people through the ages. Its work includes an annual series of lectures, study days and conferences. These are intended to inform the general public about various facets of Christian- Jewish relations. A special lecture in the fall of each year celebrates the memory of Monsignor John M. Oesterreicher, founder of the Institute. He was an important collaborator in preparing the declaration by the Second Vatican Council on “The Church’s Bond with the Jewish People” (Nostra aetate).The institute also produces the radio program “The Kinship of Catholics and Jews”, which airs on the University’s radio station WSOU 89.5 FM.

The institute began a graduate program in Jewish-Christian studies in Fall 1975. In 1978, the program was incorporated into the College of Arts and Sciences; in 1979, it became a department within the College. In 2010 the department became the MA program in the Religion Department. The MA program and the institute are thus independent units, even though origin and goal bespeak an intimate relationship. The requirements for admission to the program and a description of the course offerings may be found at shu.edu/judaeo-christian-studies/

Institute of Museum Ethics

The Institute of Museum Ethics (IME) was founded in 2007 to foreground the consideration of museum ethics as one of the most pivotal issues for museum professionals in the 21st century. In November 2007, IME received a three-year Museum Professionals Grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

IME promotes integrity and competence in museum ethics and creates a physical and virtual community of emerging and practicing museum professionals and museum studies faculty who use our resources to make informed decisions about ethical issues. It draws upon the strengths of Seton Hall University as an institution that prioritizes teaching in ethics to establish innovative collaborations between ethicists and museum professionals that will spark new conversations about museum ethics. The IME serves the needs of our region’s small museums but also has national reach. It partnered with the American Alliance of Museums to conduct a national forecasting exercise on museum ethics in the 21st century.

IME prepares students in Seton Hall’s Master of Arts in Museum Professions Program (MAMP) to become visionary leaders who make important contributions to the discourse about museum ethics. It produces new models of teaching museum ethics for students and museum professionals. Initiatives include a web portal; two national conferences and publication of the proceedings; an international conference and ‘conversation’ on “Hide/Seek”: Difference and Desire in American Portraiture”; and ongoing workshops and public lectures. For more information, please visit the Museum Professions website or email museumethics@shu.edu

Institute of NeuroImmune Pharmacology

Sulie L. Chang, Ph.D., Director

The Institute of NeuroImmune Pharmacology (I-NIP) is a research institute that was established at Seton Hall University in 2007 with Dr. Sulie L. Chang as the founding Director. The I-NIP is fully funded by the National Institute of Health (NIH) grants. The institute is located on the third floor of the Science and Technology Center (McNulty Hall), Rooms 309, 319 and 320. It is the home for all active and pending federal grants of the scientists affiliated with the Institute. The I-NIP is committed to bringing knowledge of neuroimmune pharmacology to life via research, teaching, and community service.

The INIP has continuously focused its research on the bi- directional interaction between substance abuse and microbial infection, including HIV, in the central nervous system. The Institute organizes and/or sponsors numerous symposia exploring the theory that HIV infection and neuroHIV can lead to the use of addictive substances including alcohol, morphine, methamphetamine and nicotine. Ongoing research projects include molecular mechanisms underlying nicotine’s modulatory effects on learning behavior in the presence of HIV-1 viral proteins; age-dependent developmental changes in the neurotransmitter systems in the brain; alcohol related behavior disorders in the adolescent; and aging in the brain immunity of HIV positive individuals.

The I-NIP participates in the formal curricula and Academic Exposition at Seton Hall as well as the teaching and learning workshops at the NeuroImmune Pharmacology Colloquia. The I-NIP cultivates research among and between the basic and social sciences and prides itself on fostering translational research from the laboratory bench to the community. The I- NIP trains all its members in scientific and academic integrity and honesty, and has implemented a contractual agreement entitled, “The I-NIP Proper Laboratory Conduct Contract” in response to its ongoing mission of scientific excellence. The institute as well as its predecessors, has sponsored research for both faculty and students and their travels to national and international research presentations. The I-NIP has also facilitated the international collaboration of the College of Arts and Sciences at Seton Hall including agreements with China Medical University’s College of Pharmacy in Taiwan in 2008 and the Third Institute of Oceanography (TIO) of State Oceanic Administration in China in 2014 to coordinate education, training and faculty research building upon each school’s areas of expertise.

For more information, visit the office in the Science and Technology Center (McNulty Hall) Room 307/309, call (973) 275-2340, or fax (973) 275-2489.

Joseph A. Unanue Latino Institute

Lori Tarke, DHSc., M.Ed., Executive Director

Cristina Cosme, Assistant Director

The Joseph A. Unanue Latino Institute is dedicated to inspire, educate and transform our students into the next generation of servant leaders in our ever changing global society.

The Institute was created through a generous gift from our benefactors Mr. and Mrs. Joseph A. and Carmen Ana Unanue. Built on a rich legacy of service to the Seton Hall Latino community, the Joseph A. Latino Institute had its genesis as the Puerto Rican Institute, founded in the early 1970s.

Then and now, the Joseph A. Unanue Latino Institute provides avenues to address the unique needs of the community and provides scholarships to students who need it most. It also promotes intellectual growth by inviting scholars and Latino leaders to campus; encourages our students to take on leadership roles guided by “Éxito” mentoring program; creates outreach programs, and develops students as humanitarians both locally and in Latin America.

The Institute aims to provide a space for innovation and dialogue, to encourage research and study of the Latino experience, with particular emphasis on literature and the arts, the sciences, healthcare, business and finance to further advance intercultural understanding.

In connection with the Latin American and Latino/Latina Studies Program, the Latino Institute offers wide-ranging cultural programming. In the interdisciplinary Latin American and Latino/Latina Studies major and minor, students engage with faculty experts and resources in modern languages, sociology, anthropology, religious studies, history and political science. For more information about the Latin American and Latino/Latina Studies Program, please e-mail Dr. José M. Prieto Escobar at jose.prieto@shu.edu  or Dr. Kirsten Schultz at kirsten.schultz@shu.edu.

The Joseph A. Unanue Latino Institute supports the Latino student organizations on campus by collaborating with, advising and publicizing their programs. For information, visit shu.edu/latino-institute/ or call (973) 761-9422.

Lay Centre at Foyer Unitas

Dianne M. Traflet, J.D., S.T.D., Liaison and Board Member

The Lay Centre at Foyer Unitas, Rome, and Immaculate Conception Seminary School of Theology (ICSST), launched a formal partnership in 2018. The collaboration provides the Lay Centre with administrative support, financial oversight, programmatic synergies, and a more established presence in the United States. It gives ICSST a presence in Rome to help deacons, seminarians, and laity understand more deeply the universal Catholic Church, especially through summer programs, and to encourage professors from ICSST to conduct research in Rome during the academic year. The Lay Centre, founded in 1986, is dedicated to the formation of the laity and the development of their vocation in the Church and in the world.

LLC Global Learning Center

Jessica V. Wilson, M.A., Director

The Global Learning Center (GLC) complements the Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures (LLC) by reinforcing students’ foreign language studies and promoting diversity and intercultural appreciation. Located in 202/203 Fahy Hall, the GLC houses two technology-enhanced learning spaces for classes, lectures, film screenings, club meetings, and other events. Students can receive free tutoring for all the languages taught at the University. Online resources include language study support, scholarship and study abroad opportunities, information on how to leverage language experience for professional purposes, and a variety of other topics. LLC faculty draw on the GLC’s extensive foreign film library to supplement their course curriculums. 

The GLC hosts various enrichment programs aimed at supporting students’ language study and cultural awareness. The Peer-Assisted Language Support (PALS) program pairs student volunteers who are native and advanced speakers of other languages with LLC students seeking conversation partners in a relaxed setting. The GLC also partners with the Office of International Programs (OIP) to run the Global Friends program, which connects domestic volunteers with new international students for friendship and welcoming.  Other GLC programming includes foreign film screenings and festivals, language exchange “coffee house” events, and more. The GLC supports other SHU entities’ culture- and language-related activities, including the Languages & Cultures Club, SHU-ESL students, the Unanue Institute, and the annual Japan Week festival, to name a few.

The Director of the GLC facilitates the Language Placement Test for students fulfilling their Core Curriculum requirements. Direct all placement test questions to languageplacement@shu.edu, or visit the website for more information.

Market Research Center

Adam Warner, M.B.A., Director

The Market Research Center provides a hands-on learning environment and programs for students to gain practical market research skills and experience. At the Center, students, faculty and business clients partner together on customized market research projects across a variety of industries.

Located on the 6th floor of Jubilee Hall, the center features state-of-the-art facilities including an interview/conference center, observation room and audio-visual recording equipment. Students learn transferable market research skills with the opportunity to conduct interviews, moderate focus groups, create web-based surveys, uncover insights and develop actionable solutions for real business clients.

Our programs are seamlessly integrated into many courses at the Stillman School of Business. However, to be better prepared to enter the profession, please explore our Market Research Certificate option.

For more information, for both students wishing to learn more about the Market Research Center or the Market Research Certificate, and businesses interested in learning more about partnering with the Market Research Center, please visit shu.edu/market-research/ or contact us directly at (973) 275-6489.

Nonprofit Sector Resource Institute

The Nonprofit Sector Resource Institute (NSRI) serves to build the capacity of the nonprofit sector in New Jersey and nationally by training leaders in the areas of board leadership, financial fluency and nonprofit governance, by utilizing the resources of the Seton Hall University community in collaboration with recognized specialists in the nonprofit sector and business partners who are committed to bettering their communities.

The NSRI has developed a series of well-regarded programs serving both the nonprofit and corporate sectors over the years, including formal training sessions contracted with corporations and nonprofit groups, as well as workshops to share best practices and promote discussion and networking among sector participants.

Pre-Professional Advising Center

Chantal Vergara, MA, NCC, Director

The Pre-Professional Advising Center (P-PAC) was established in 2022 as a centralized resource hub for students interested in exploring, preparing, and applying to health professional schools. The P-PAC works with students to explore various health professions, assists with the preparation and development of becoming a strong professional school candidate, and provides guidance throughout the application process.  The P-PAC provides holistic one on one developmental advising, academic coaching, skill building workshops, health professions events/workshops, informational sessions, support groups, application cycle preparation and much more. The journey to professional school can be difficult to navigate and may look different for each scholar, which is why the P-PAC aims to provide a wide range of support and works with each student individually to create a personalized pathway to reach their professional goals. Students are welcomed to make a 1:1 appointment with the Director of PPAC via COMPASS or drop in during our designated “drop-in hours”. P-PAC peer advisors are also available to students. They are trained to provide peer support as scholars prepare for professional school. The PPAC has also organized the Pre-Health Advisory Committee which consists of SHU Faculty, Administration, Staff, and Alumni. The Committee is tasked to assist with the review of student application materials, conduct mock interviews, provide application feedback and draft a comprehensive endorsement letter for eligible SHU students and alumni who aspire to attend health professional/graduate schools.

If you would like to stay connected with the PPAC please visit our webpage where you can join our email listserv, learn about our upcoming events, drop-in hours and much more at shu.edu/pre-professional-advising/

Ruth Sharkey Academic Resource Center

Nicole Paternoster, Ed.D., Director

The Ruth Sharkey Academic Resource Center (ARC) is located on the 2nd floor of Arts and Sciences Hall. The ARC is a resource for all Seton Hall students who wish to maximize their academic potential by engaging with a learning community of peers, faculty, and administrators.

All students are encouraged to take advantage of the ARC’s free tutorial services, which are designated to supplement classroom instruction and improve academic achievement and performance. ARC peer tutoring and academic coaching allow students to schedule appointments in advance on Compass, drop in for assistance, or attend group review sessions. 

Tutoring is available in disciplines such as business, education, humanities, nursing, and science. The ARC also provides Tutors in Residence in Boland and Aquinas Halls where all students can attend drop-in sessions from 5 pm-12 am Sunday-Thursday evenings. The Peer Academic Coaching Program at the ARC provides students with 1:1 meetings with current SHU students who are sophomores, juniors, or seniors trained to help their peers develop customized academic success plans. Supplemental Instructors support students in historically challenging courses through peer-led study groups. SI sessions are informal seminars outside class and are regularly scheduled for all students enrolled in targeted courses. In addition, the ARC offers skill-building workshops, online resources, and tutoring events to support student success further. 

For more information, please call (973) 761-9108, send an email to arc@shu.edu, or visit the ARC’s website

Seton Center for Community and Population Health

The Seton Center for Community and Population Health (SCCPH) was established in 2004 as an academic resource for collaboration, learning and research to enhance the quality of life for individuals and communities in need. The Center is located in the Department of Interprofessional Health Sciences and Health Administration, in the School of Health and Medical Sciences and provides technical assistance to community health agencies focused on improving the health status of New Jersey residents. The center follows a partnership approach that facilitates linkages with community stakeholders, healthcare providers and graduate students. Since its inception, the center has collaborated through grants with multiple community agencies and involved graduate students from the Master of Healthcare Administration (M.H.A.), the Bachelor of Sciences in Interprofessional Health Sciences, and other health-related SHU graduate programs. The SCCPH serves as an academic link and resource to local and regional nonprofit, health service agencies.

Seton Hall Sports Poll Conducted by the Sharkey Institute

Richard Gentile, B.A., Director

The Seton Hall Sports Poll conducted by the Sharkey Institute, an initiative of the Center for Sport Management within the Stillman School of Business, officially launched in the Fall 2006 semester. The institute serves as a source of polling services and survey research dedicated to sport, placing the University in a domain unoccupied by any other university in America.

Founded with a generous donation from Thomas J. Sharkey and his wife Ruth, the Seton Hall Sports Poll serves as a barometer of public opinion on the important issues confronting sports today. The distinction of the Seton Hall Sports Poll is that it is strictly focused on current sport issues. The dynamics of the sport industry provide an ideal opportunity for the institute to present newsworthy findings on a regular basis, on topics such as the NCAA final four, commercialization of the Olympics, the steroid issue in Major League Baseball and sports gambling.

The Sharkey Institute also impacts the broader curriculum within the Stillman School of Business and throughout the University. Among the numerous educational opportunities, marketing courses have the benefit of a live market research center, and students in their core statistics classes analyze real- time data. Management students develop planning and organizing competencies required to run a polling center, and students in communication have the opportunity to craft news  releases.

Sister Rose Thering Fund for Jewish-Christian Studies

Anthony Sciglitano, Interim Executive Director
Program Director, Yolanda Sheffield Williams 

The Sister Rose Thering Fund for Education in Jewish-Christian Studies, established in 1993 in honor of Sister Rose’s work as an educator and advocate for improving relations between Christians and Jews, is part of the Department of Religion in the College of Arts and Sciences.

The fund advances the legacy of Sister Rose by fostering understanding and cooperation among Jews, Christians and people of other religious traditions through advocacy and education; provides tuition assistance for teachers in public, private and parochial schools for graduate courses in Jewish- Christian and Holocaust Studies at Seton Hall University; and allows teachers to enroll as students for up to 12 credits and receive a certificate of completion. Teachers may also enroll in the Master of Arts in Jewish-Christian Studies degree program with financial assistance from the Institute for Judaeo-Christian Studies.

The Sister Rose Thering fund allows both educators and members of the community to explore lessons of lasting social significance, countering the destructive power of prejudice, antisemitism, ethnocentrism and bigotry born of ignorance, through workshops, lectures and travel programs. More than 300 teachers, K-12 have received Sister Rose Thering Fund scholarships since its inception and have reached over 160,000 students in their classrooms. This program supports teacher education to implement the Mandate of the State of New Jersey to teach about Genocides and the Holocaust in all schools, grades K-12.

Sister Rose’s Passion, a film about the life and work of Sister Rose Thering, won the award for the short documentary film category at the Tribeca Film Festival in 2004 and was nominated for an Academy Award® in 2005.

Sister Rose passed away on May 6, 2006 at her beloved Siena Center of the Dominican Sisters in Racine, Wisconsin. Her lifetime achievements are being memorialized by continuing her work toward improved dialogue between Christians and Jews. In 2008 a mission to Israel included a street being named in her memory in Jerusalem.

Scholarship applications are available by contacting the fund office at, (973) 761-9006, sending an email to srtf@shu.edu, or visiting shu.edu/sister-rose/

Transfer Student Center

Lisa Hawryluk, M.A., Director
Mooney Hall, Room 15

Providing individual consultations, workshops and academic coaching, the Transfer Student Center serves as an important resource for undergraduate transfer students.

The Transfer Student Center provides:

  • Academic advising for transfer students
  • Assistance to transfer students with their degree audits, credits evaluations, course substitutions, etc.
  • Assistance to students transitioning from one major to another
  • Referrals to academic departments and campus resources

Writing Center

Arundhati Sanyal, Ph.D., Director

Part of the Ruth Sharkey Academic Resource Center is available to all students through the Department of English. It provides a range of services, including free consultations and tutorials, to both undergraduate and graduate students. Tutors are trained to provide advice, feedback and suggestions on how writers might improve their writing, focusing especially on content, organization, structure and flow, as well as grammar. Located in Arts and Sciences Hall, Room 206, the center is open during the academic year Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. – 7 p.m., and Friday, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Grammar tutoring for L2 students is offered on Wednesday, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m., and Friday 10 a.m. - 11 a.m. Students may drop in or make an appointment online by going to their “Success Network” in Starfish, available through Blackboard, choosing “Services” and then clicking on a day in the calendar on which they would like to be seen. For special accommodations, finals week and Summer Session hours, call (973) 761-9000, ext. 7501 or (973) 275-2183, or visit the Writing Center website.

Seton Hall’s Online Writing Lab (OWL) is also available. This service is a web-based, virtual tutoring program, designed primarily for upperclassmen and graduate students, as well as faculty and staff, through which individuals can get feedback on their writing from Writing Center tutors via e- mail. The web address for the OWL is shu.edu/writing-center/

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