Chaminade Students Explore St. John’s Cutting-Edge Resources, Reinforcing Longstanding School Partnership

Chaminade High School—one of the region’s most prestigious and academically rigorous institutions—has long enjoyed a reciprocal relationship with St. John’s University, providing a pipeline for students interested in continuing their Catholic education in an atmosphere rife with the opportunities and technological advancement for which both schools are known. 

On October 29, a cohort of 100 Chaminade sophomores visited St. John’s at the invitation of The School of Education. At Chaminade, these students are enrolled in AP Seminar, a research-based College Board course. Throughout the year, they complete team and individual research projects that include both writing and presentation components. 

Aliya E. Holmes, Ph.D., Associate Dean for Innovation and Partnerships, and Associate Professor of Educational Technology, at The School of Education, explained that this was an opportunity for St. John’s to highlight the many forms of research conducted in some of the most state-of-the-art academic facilities in the region. 

Chaminade students toured  the St. Vincent Health Sciences Center, as well as various centers and laboratories housed in The Lesley H. and William L. Collins College of Professional Studies, including the Cyber Security Lab, the Homeland Security Simulation Lab, and the Media Arts and Design Lab.

“We are honored to welcome young scholars to our campus and share the transformative educational experiences that distinguish St. John’s University from other universities,” Dr. Holmes enthusiastically noted. “Our campus is more than a place of study—it’s a hub of innovation, inclusivity, and inspiration. We hope that students from Chaminade High School and other neighboring schools experience the dynamic learning experiences we provide at St. John’s University and see a viable pathway to their future success.”

Andrew Salecker, Codirector of Student Life at Chaminade, said, “Our students had a truly meaningful experience at St. John’s. In class, we’re about to begin developing our research questions for the first AP Seminar task, and this partnership with St. John’s has provided them with a strong foundation for conducting their own research. Visiting the campus and hearing directly from University students and professors also inspired them to see themselves as part of a larger research community.”

The day began in St. Thomas More Church with a welcome from James D. Wolfinger, Ph.D., Dean, The School of Education; Dr. Holmes; and Sr. Patricia Evanick, D.C. ’97GEd, Associate Director of Liturgy, Faith Formation, and Vincentian Initiatives. 

Dean Wolfinger provided Chaminade students with a brief history of St. John’s, including its founding, and mission, as well as the importance of its Catholic and Vincentian identity. “It was primarily founded for the children of immigrants as an accepting place for all. Over the years, St. John’s has retained that identity while expanding what it provides to students.”

He noted that The School of Education was founded because “providing teachers is so important for the success and stability of the community.”

Dean Wolfinger added, “What you’re going to find out as you tour campus and meet with some of our faculty and students, is that this is a University that is student centered. We do lots of research here. We receive millions of dollars in federal grants each year for research and teaching. We have faculty who publish books and articles and present conference papers—but their first job is teaching you to be successful. 

“Ultimately,” Dean Wolfinger stressed, “St. John’s is a place where students find their path, and they do it in an environment that is very much focused on the student experience.”

Sr. Patricia noted she has worked for more than a decade with Chaminade alumni who attend St. John’s. “Whether you guys believe it or not, you’re amazing,” she emphasized, noting that the academic preparation students receive at Chaminade is rigorous and rewarding. “You have a lot of skills and there are so many great opportunities here. We really are a welcoming University, and we’re so happy to have you here, especially from a school that prepares you so well for higher academics.”

Dr. Holmes noted there is a long legacy of Chaminade alumni who have attended St. John’s. One such alumnus of both institutions, Guy LaCognata ’19TCB, ’20MBA, Director of Communications and Marketing at Chaminade, accompanied students on the tour and was obviously pleased to be visiting his more recent alma mater.

“While I was still in Chaminade, I knew I wanted to study business and stay local,” Mr. LaCognata recalled. I knew I wanted to continue learning more about my faith and live it more in a concrete way when I was in college, just as I did at Chaminade. When I came across the Catholic Scholars Program at St. John’s, that really stood out to me. I must say that my four years at St. John’s and in Catholic Scholars were a beautiful extension of everything I did at Chaminade. That’s why I appreciate it so much.”

Chaminade students reflected on their visit to St. John’s and the importance of receiving a Catholic education that elevates. 

Christopher Killman knew that attending Chaminade would offer excellent college preparation . “I was so impressed by the array of majors offered at St. John’s and the resources,” he observed. 

Christopher Stanislawski stressed that religion has always been a cornerstone in his life, and he found a great expression of that at Chaminade. “Of all the tours today, I was most impressed by the St. Vincent Health Sciences Center. That’s a major I might explore in college.”

John La Volpe wanted an academically rigorous school and Chaminade was a natural fit. “One of the most impressive things I recognized at St. John’s is that there are so many niche sectors available, like Homeland Security. These specializations make St. John’s really stand out.”

Mr. LaCognata added, “I think today really embodies the strong relationship between the two schools. While Chaminade is Marianist, and St. John’s is Vincentian, in essence, they are the same. They build young men and women of faith, integrity, and discipline. That’s why the relationship is so great—the mission.”