Renamed in 2024, The Institute for Vincentian Impact (I.V.I), was formerly known as the Vincentian Institute for Social Action (V.I.S.A.), and was created to embed the St. John’s Catholic, Vincentian mission more visibly into the educational experience of its students. The Institute for Vincentian Impact (I.V.I) vision is to be guided by the principles of Catholic Social Teaching and center the goals of community partners in our research and action; establish itself as an Institute for community-based research; and create pathways and develop resources for faculty and student collaboration on community research and publication.
As an Institute, our desire is to center the communities with whom we work, through meaningful, sustainable, equitable relationship building, and collaborative leadership. The Institute houses the Ozanam Scholars, Community Engaged Learning and Vincentian Service and Social Justice. As an Institute, we hope to afford students, faculty, and community partners the opportunity to enrich scholarship, promote research, and ground creative activity embedded in interdisciplinary curricula, teaching, and learning, while becoming engaged, responsible citizens within and among their local and global communities.
To find out more about The Institute for Vincentian Impact, please contact us at 718-990-8331.
About The Institute for Vincentian Impact
Community Engaged Learning
Community Engaged Learning at St. John’s University is a classroom/experiential site-based program that involves students in community service that benefits the common (public) good. Service is used as a means of understanding course concepts and student reflections examine issues pertaining to social justice and civic responsibility.
Ozanam Scholars Program
Ozanam Scholars investigate and address real-world social justice issues, inspiring change throughout their college careers and beyond.
Vincentian Service and Social Justice
Plunges, or service immersion, are weeklong experiences where students are given the opportunity to expand learning beyond the classroom into the world by participating in service opportunities, community building, cultural immersions, and simple living.