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Cathy Nguyen ’23 CLAS has traveled far to pursue her passions in the 18 months since graduating from ÎÞÂëרÇø with dual degrees in Peace and Justice Studies and Theology. Just after graduation, the Pennsylvania native left her family and home for the remote town of Ashland, Mont., to advocate for social justice. What initially was a yearlong assignment with the Jesuit Volunteer Corps Northwest quickly turned into a commitment to a second year for Nguyen, who says her time as a mission and ministry liaison for the St. Labre Indian School has delivered opportunities to uplift and support the pre-K–12 students in the community. In addition to assisting with Mass, running retreats and coordinating service projects, Nguyen focuses on values she strives to live by—inclusivity, understanding, simplicity and spirituality.

Nguyen’s commitment to these values also led her to Rome for the Synod of Bishops in October 2023. She was chosen to be part of a delegation of more than a dozen North American young adult leaders who were answering Pope Francis’ invitation to engage more people in the decision-making processes that affect the whole Church. The experience in Rome was the culmination of months spent organizing cross-campus synodal listening sessions and contributing to a report presented to Archbishop Nelson Pérez of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.

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PHOTO: VILLANOVA UNIVERSITY/JOHN SHETRON