St. John’s University’s Vincentian Institute of Social Action
(VISA), a new educational experience, provides a variety of
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.
We invite you to browse through the following story highlights of
current VISA events and programs and learn more about this exciting
new initiative.
VISA Highlights
New Students Get Oriented to St.
John’s and Service
July 28, 2009
When a new St. John’s University student steps on campus for the
first time, the University instills in that student its mission of
charity and service to the disadvantaged and underserved.
Read the full story.
In Discover Bermuda, Students Study Social and
Environmental Issues Facing The Island Nation
July 9, 2009
Thirteen St. John’s University students recently completed a
pioneering, multidisciplinary Global Studies course that used the
University’s focus on service and sustainability as a lens for
on-site study of social and environmental issues facing the island
nation of Bermuda.
Read the full story.
Whole Foods’ Community Giving Day
Will Enable St. John’s Strategic Partner to Fund Low-Income
Entrepreneurs
June 29, 2009
Grameen America, a non-profit microfinance organization dedicated
to the eradication of poverty, teamed up with Whole Foods Market on
June 24 for a “Community Giving Day.”
Read the full story.
St. John’s Public Relations
Students Give Back to Disadvantaged Mothers
June 22, 2009
Professor Jane Paley’s Spring 2009 Public Relations Campaign course
is distinct from all others; not only did it have the first
all-female roster but they designed and executed a single,
semester-long campaign with specific and measurable goals just as
in the “real world.”
Read the full story.
Biology Professor Gives Academic
Service- Learning a New Twist
June 15, 2009
Dr. Schramm recently incorporated AS-L into her curriculum after
discovering that out of 24 students in her fall semester Molecular
Cell Biology (MCB) course only one person had participated in an
AS-L course. In order to get students into the community and
blend classroom applications with real experiences she had to get
them involved.
Read the full story.
Mayor Bloomberg Proclaims June 11th
“Advantage Academy Day” to Coincide with Announcement of Pilot
Program Sponsored by St. John’s and Department of Homeless
Services
June 12, 2009
As Department of Homeless Services (DHS) Commissioner Robert V.
Hess read from a proclamation signed by Mayor Michael Bloomberg
yesterday declaring June 11, 2009 as Advantage Academy Day in New
York City...
Read the full story.
New Program Allows Students to
Study and Serve in Puerto Rico and New York City This
Summer!
May 29, 2009
St. John’s University’s Office of Global Studies has put together a
unique program that allows future educators to study in both New
York City and San Juan while participating in a variety of
excursions that complement the coursework.
Read the full story.
Academic-Service Learning Prepares
Students to Change the World and Enrich Their
Communities
May 08, 2009
Theology Professor Clarice Curry believes that the rich,
deeply-rooted tradition of Christianity, service, and compassion
are firmly embedded in the educational experience of every St.
John’s University student.
Read the full story.
St. John’s Professor Utilizes
Academic Service–Learning and Creative Art Aesthetics to Discover
New York
April 29, 2009
Heidi Upton, D.M.A., an Assistant Professor in the Institute of
Core Studies at St. John’s University, interprets teaching as a
secondary art form.
Read the full story.
Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus
Inspires Crowd at St. John’s; Announces Partnership Between
University and Grameen America
April 18, 2009
Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Prof. Muhammad Yunus, Founder of Grameen
Bank, paid a special visit to St. John’s and its Queens Campus
yesterday afternoon to announce a new partnership venture between
the University and Grameen America.
Read the full story.
First-Year Writing Professor Blends
Academic Service-Learning and Freshman Composition to Foster
Critical Thinking
March 31, 2009
Faculty in the First Year Writing Program at St. John’s Institute
for Writing Studies (IWS) are collaborating with the University’s
Office of Academic Service-Learning to facilitate experiential
learning and reflective writing efforts for students in the
required first-year writing course, English 1000C (English
Composition).
Read the full story.
Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Prof.
Muhammad Yunus To Appear At St. John’s University
April 15, 2009
St. John’s University is honored to announce the visit of Nobel
Peace Prize Laureate Prof. Muhammad Yunus, Founder of Grameen Bank,
to its Queens Campus on Saturday, April 18 as part of Grameen
America’s Open House and Spring Fair to be held in Carnesecca
Arena.
Read the full story.