Coming soon
Kevin Ryan, President and CEO, Covenant House International
Kevin Ryan is a father, husband, child advocate, blogger and sometime runner. He arrived at Covenant House as a young lawyer in 1992 to provide legal aid to homeless youth and he now leads Covenant House International, one of the largest charities in the Americas dedicated to serving homeless youth, and ending child trafficking.
Founded in 1972, Covenant House’s work has been recognized with several of the world's most distinguished human rights awards, including the Conrad Hilton Humanitarian Award, the WOLA Human Rights Prize and the Olof Palme Peace Prize. Kevin describes Covenant House as a movement.
He and his Covenant House team have expanded the movement to 31 cities and 6 countries, most recently opening new Covenant Houses in Chicago, Asbury Park and Berkeley in 2017. Kevin is leading an aggressive expansion to end youth homelessness, which saw Covenant House reach 80,000 children and youth in 2017.
To support this expansion, Kevin and his team have built an international Sleep Out movement, involving thousands of participants across the United States and Canada who raise funds to house, feed and help homeless youth.
He championed groundbreaking research with Loyola University and the University of Pennsylvania, shaped by 911 interviews with homeless youth in 13 cities across Canada and the United States, which revealed in 2017 that 1 in 5 homeless youth has survived human trafficking.
Kevin previously served as the first public Child Advocate in New Jersey and the first commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Children and Families, as well as commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Human Services. He drafted some of the State's most important laws for youth, including the New Jersey Homeless Youth Act and the Foster Care Scholars Act.
His first book, Almost Home, a collaboration with former New York Times reporter Tina Kelley, became a national best seller in the Fall of 2012. The book tells the stories of 6 teenagers as they faced homelessness, violence and heartbreak in search of a place to call home. In 2015, President Barack Obama appointed Kevin to the President’s Advisory Council on Faith Based and Neighborhood Partnerships. In 2018, Kevin joined President Trump in the Oval Office to witness the signing of new human trafficking legislation that Kevin and Covenant House had championed for many years.
He is a graduate of Catholic University, Georgetown Law Center and NYU Law School. A former Skadden Fellow and Wasserstein Fellow at Harvard Law School, Kevin's numerous media appearances on behalf of children include the TODAY Show, CBS This Morning, CNN, MSNBC, EWTN, Good Morning America and two stints on 60 Minutes. He lives in New Jersey with his wife Clare. Together they have 6 Ryan children.
Lecture 1: From Homeless to Hope
Lecture 1: Q&A Session
Lecture 2: Stop the Trafficking: Home and Hope for Homeless Youth
Lecture 2: Q&A Session
Lecture 3: The Humanitarian Crisis Confronting Children in Central America
Lecture 3: Q&A Session
Lecture 4: Helping Homeless Youth Amidst COVID-19
Rev. William J. Barber II, D. Min.
“It’s About Right and Wrong”
The Vincentian Center for Church and Society appointed Rev. William J. Barber II, D. Min. as the holder of the St. John’s University Chair of Social Justice 2018-19. St. John’s warmly welcomed the Rev. Dr. Barber and willingly opened its ears to his challenging and empowering moral message which emerges from his Christian foundation. Below are YouTube links to his past lectures:
Lecture 1: America, America, What's Going On?
Lecture 2: Reading the Signs of the Times: What does the November Election say about America?
Lecture 3: What's going on with the War Economy and Militarism?
Vincentian Chair of Social Justice Lectures
Presented at the Vincentian Convocation during Founder's Week
| Year | Chair of Social Justice Presenters / Presentation Title |
| 2019 | Rev. Joseph G. Fitzgerald, C.M., Ph.D., S.T.D. ‘01C, ‘09G |
| 2018 | Margaret M. Fitzpatrick, S.C., Ed.D., President, St. Thomas Aquinas College |
| 2017 | Most Reverend John O. Barres, S.T.D., J.C.L., D.D., Bishop of the Diocese of Rockville Centre |
| 2016 | Reverend Dennis H. Holtschneider, C.M., Ed.D. |
| 2015 | The Most Reverend Robert W. McElroy, Bishop of San Diego, CA |
| 2014 | Reverend John Rybolt, C.M. |
| 2013 | Sr. Louise Sullivan, D. C., Ph.D. Professor Emerita, |
| 2011 | Most Reverend David O’Connell, C.M. , Bishop of Trenton, New Jersey |
| 2010 | Most Rev. Timothy M. Dolan, Ph.D., Archbishop of New York |
| 2009 | Patricia P. de Nava, past president of AIC (Association Internationales des Chariteَs), Liaison from the Association of International Charity [AIC] to the Vincentian Family and Vincentian Commission for promoting Systemic Change |
| 2008 | The Most Reverend Nicholas DiMarzio, Ph.D., D.D., Bishop of Brooklyn, NY |
| 2007 | Dr. John Edward Sexton, Ph.D., J.D., President, New York University |
| 2006 | Most Reverend Celestino Migliore, Apostolic Nuncio, Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations |
| 2005 | Very Rev. G. Gregory Gay, Superior General of the Congregation of the Mission and Daughters of Charity |
| 2004 | S. Evelyne Franc, DC, Superioress General of the Daughters of Charity |
| 2003 | Peter Steinfels, Ph.D., “The New York Times” |
| 2002 | Very Rev. Thomas F. McKenna, CM, Provincial Superior, Eastern Province, Congregation of the Mission |
| 2001 | Rev. Bryan Massingale, St. Francis Seminary, WI |
| 2000 | Dr. Dolores Leckey, Woodstock Theological Center, Georgetown University |
| 1999 | Rev. David Hollenbach, SJ, Professor Moral Theology, Boston College |
| 1998 | Most Reverend Howard Hubbard, Bishop of Albany, NY |
| 1997 | Dr. Mary Ann Glendon, Harvard Law |
| 1996 | Rev. Bryan Hehir, Harvard Divinity |
| 1995 | Rev. Robert P. Maloney, CM, Superior General, Congregation of the Mission “The Justice Challenge in a Vincentian University” |
| NAME | COLLEGE | FELLOWS ENTERING CLASS |
| Mark Juszczak, Ed.D. | College of Professional Studies | Class of 2018 |
| Willian Reisel, Ph.D. | The Peter J. Tobin College of Business | Class of 2018 |
| Fabienne Cadet, Ph.D. | The Peter J. Tobin College of Business | Class of 2018 |
| William F. Byrne, Ph.D. | St. John's College of Liberal Arts and Sciences | Class of 2018 |
| Victoria Shoaf, Ph.D., C.A. | The Peter J. Tobin College of Business | Class of 2017 |
| Heather Robertson, Ph.D., NCC,CRC, ACS, LPC (CT) | The School of Education | Class of 2017 |
| William "Alex" Morel '97C | St. John's College of Liberal Arts and Sciences | Class of 2017 |
| Sven Horak, Ph.D. | The Peter J. Tobin College of Business | Class of 2017 |
| Neil H. Feinstein, M.S. | College of Professional Studies | Class of 2017 |
| Jennifer Chiu, Ed.D. | College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences | Class of 2017 |
| Aaris Sherin, M.F.A. | St. John's College of Liberal Arts and Sciences | Class of 2016 |
| Michael Rizzo, M.B.A. | College of Professional Studies | Class of 2016 |
| Biagio Pilato, J.D. | The Peter J. Tobin College of Business | Class of 2016 |
| Cynthia R. Philips, Ed.D. | The Peter J. Tobin College of Business | Class of 2016 |
| Meghan Clark, Ph.D. | St. John's College of Liberal Arts and Sciences | Class of 2016 |
| Blase C. Billack, Ph.D. | College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences | Class of 2016 |
| Alexsandr V. Gevorkyan, Ph.D. | The Peter J. Tobin College of Business | Class of 2015 |
| Anne M. Galvin, Ph.D. | St. John's College of Liberal Arts and Sciences | Class of 2015 |
| Preety Gadhoke, Ph.D. M.P.H. | College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences | Class of 2015 |
| Ellen K. Boegel, J.D. | College of Professional Studies | Class of 2015 |
| Sandra Schamroth Abrams, Ph.D. | The School of Education | Class of 2015 |
| Ivana Vancurova, Ph.D. | St. John's College of Liberal Arts and Sciences | Class of 2014 |
| Mary Beth Schaefer, Ed.D. | The School of Education | Class of 2014 |
| Margaret McGuinness, J.D. | School of Law | Class of 2014 |
| Flora Keshishian, Ph.D. | St. John's College of Liberal Arts and Sciences | Class of 2014 |
| Jeffrey Grossmann, J.D. | College of Professional Studies | Class of 2014 |
| Timothy Coville, Ph.D. | The Peter J. Tobin College of Business | Class of 2014 |
| Joan P. Ball, Ph.D. | The Peter J. Tobin College of Business | Class of 2014 |
| Ebtesam Ahmed, Pharm.D., M.S. | College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences | Class of 2014 |
| Abraham Stefanidis, Ph.D. | The Peter J. Tobin College of Business | Class of 2013 |
| Rosemary C. Salomone, Ph.D., JD, LL.M | School of Law | Class of 2013 |
| Judith A. Ryder, Ph.D. | St. John's College of Liberal Arts and Sciences | Class of 2013 |
| Mary Ellen Freeley, Ed.D. | The School of Education | Class of 2013 |
| Cynthia Chambers, Ph.D. | University Libraries | Class of 2013 |
| Manouchkathe Cassagnol, Pharm.D., CGP, BCPS | College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences | Class of 2013 |
| William Ryall Carroll Ph.D. | The Peter J. Tobin College of Business | Class of 2013 |
| Thomas J. Ward, D.P.A. | College of Professional Studies | Class of 2012 |
| Scyatta Wallace-Hannah, Ph.D. | St. John's College of Liberal Arts and Sciences | Class of 2012 |
| Sharon See, Pharm.D., BCPS, FCCP | College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences | Class of 2012 |
| Judith F. Mangione, Ph.D. | The School of Education | Class of 2012 |
| Thomas M. Kitts, Ph.D. | College of Professional Studies | Class of 2012 |
| Caroline Fuchs, M.A., M.L.S. | University Libraries | Class of 2012 |
| Adrian P. Fitzsimons, Ph.D. | The Peter J. Tobin College of Business | Class of 2012 |
| Kathryn G. Shaughnessy, M.A., M.L.S. | University Libraries | Class of 2011 |
| Mark J. Prendergast, M.S. | College of Professional Studies | Class of 2011 |
| Robert K. Eschenauer, Ph.D. | The School of Education | Class of 2011 |
| Nina T. Dorata, Ph.D. | The Peter J. Tobin College of Business | Class of 2011 |
| Marc O. DeGirolami, J.D., J.S.D., LL.M. | School of Law | Class of 2011 |
| Fred P. Cocozzelli, Ph.D. | St. John's College of Liberal Arts and Sciences | Class of 2011 |
| Rodger M. Casselman, Ph.D. | The Peter J. Tobin College of Business | Class of 2011 |
| May Webber, Ph.D. | College of Professional Studies | Class of 2010 |
| Igor Tomic, Ph.D. | The Peter J. Tobin College of Business | Class of 2010 |
| Tina Kanmaz, Pharm.D. | College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences | Class of 2010 |
| Almerinda Forte, Ph.D. | College of Professional Studies | Class of 2010 |
| Frank Cantelmo, Ph.D. | St. John's College of Liberal Arts and Sciences | Class of 2010 |
| Jennifer Baum, J.D. | School of Law | Class of 2010 |
| Linda M. Sama, Ph.D. | The Peter J. Tobin College of Business | Class of 2009 |
| Somnath Pal, Ph.D. | College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences | Class of 2009 |
| Mark L. Movsesian, J.D. | School of Law | Class of 2009 |
| Azzedine Layachi, Ph.D. | St. John's College of Liberal Arts and Sciences | Class of 2009 |
| Paul R. Gyllenhammer, Ph.D. | St. John's College of Liberal Arts and Sciences | Class of 2009 |
| E. Francine Guastello, Ed.D. | The School of Education | Class of 2009 |
| Joan S. Tropnas, Ph.D. | College of Professional Studies | Class of 2008 |
| Yvonne Pratt-Johnson, Ed.D. | The School of Education | Class of 2008 |
| Irvin N. Hirshfield, Ph.D. | St. John's College of Liberal Arts and Sciences | Class of 2008 |
| Christopher J. Borgen, J.D. | School of Law | Class of 2008 |
| Rene S. Parmar, Ph.D. | The School of Education | Class of 2007 |
| Peggy F. Jacobson, Ph.D. | St. John's College of Liberal Arts and Sciences | Class of 2007 |
| John P. Angelidis, Ph.D. | The Peter J. Tobin College of Business | Class of 2007 |
| Jaime E. Rodriguez, Ph.D. | College of Professional Studies | Class of 2006 |
| Belenna M. Lauto, M.F.A. | St. John's College of Liberal Arts and Sciences | Class of 2006 |
| Marc E. Gillespie, Ph.D. | College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences | Class of 2006 |
| Sue M. Ford, Ph.D. | College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences | Class of 2006 |
| Christopher P. Vogt, Ph.D. | St. John's College of Liberal Arts and Sciences | Class of 2005 |
| Annalisa Sacca, Ph.D. | St. John's College of Liberal Arts and Sciences | Class of 2005 |
| Kevin S. Rioux, Ph.D. | St. John's College of Liberal Arts and Sciences | Class of 2005 |
| Basilio G. Monteiro, Ph.D. | College of Professional Studies | Class of 2005 |
| Gina M.Calabrese, J.D. | School of Law | Class of 2005 |
| James S. Bethea, Ph.D. | The School of Education | Class of 2005 |
| Jean-Pierre M. Ruiz, S.T.D. | St. John's College of Liberal Arts and Sciences | Class of 2004 |
| Regina M. Mistretta, Ed.D. | The School of Education | Class of 2004 |
| Brenda Massetti, Ph.D. | The Peter J. Tobin College of Business | Class of 2004 |
| John M. Conry, Pharm.D. | College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences | Class of 2004 |
| Craig A. Baron, Ph.D. | College of Professional Studies | Class of 2004 |
| Joseph L. Adolphe, M.F.A. | St. John's College of Liberal Arts and Sciences | Class of 2004 |
| Robert F. Pecorella, Ph.D. | St. John's College of Liberal Arts and Sciences | Class of 2003 |
| Michael J. Callaghan, C.M., Ph.D. | College of Professional Studies | Class of 2003 |
| Elizabeth N. Brondolo, Ph.D. | St. John's College of Liberal Arts and Sciences | Class of 2003 |
| Barrett P. Brenton, Ph.D. | St. John's College of Liberal Arts and Sciences | Class of 2003 |
| Brett E. Blake, Ph.D. | The School of Education | Class of 2003 |
| James O'Keefe, Ph.D. | College of Professional Studies | Class of 2002 |
| Rafael A. Javier, Ph.D. | St. John's College of Liberal Arts and Sciences | Class of 2002 |
| Ann L. Goldweber, J.D. | School of Law | Class of 2002 |
| Robert R. Tomes, Ph.D. | College of Professional Studies | Class of 2001 |
| Michael A. Simons, J.D. | School of Law | Class of 2001 |
| Marilyn A. Martone, Ph.D. | St. John's College of Liberal Arts and Sciences | Class of 2001 |
| Joanne M. Carroll, Ph.D. | College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences | Class of 2001 |
| Vincent M. DiLorenzo, J.D. | School of Law | Class of 2000 |
| Charles M.A. Clark, Ph.D. | The Peter J. Tobin College of Business | Class of 2000 |
| Larry W. Boone, Ph.D. | The Peter J. Tobin College of Business | Class of 2000 |