TikTok成人版

2024: Katie Jordan, 鈥淟and and Integrated Settlements: Evaluating Uganda鈥檚 Self-Reliance Model of Refugee Settlement鈥�

2023: Natalie Schirmacher,  "The Impact of the Argentinian State in the Construction of the Mapuche Terrorist Identity: A Case Study of the Repression of the Lof Lafken Winkul Mapu"

2022: Daniel Estrada, 鈥淎n Evolution of Exploitation: The Social Death of Migrant Laborers"

2021: Chloe Benson, "Subverting the Fetishization of Eurocentric Beauty Standards through African American Rhetoric"

2020: Nora Cowley, "Philadelphia鈥檚 Irish Memorial: Remembering the 鈥淕ood Immigrant鈥� after An Gorta M贸r"

2019: Patrick Flynn, "Pittsburgh Public Schools Sanctuary Policy: Assessing Ambiguity"

2017: Katie Boyce, "American鈥檚 'Youth' Go to Nazi Germany: The Movement to Boycott the 1936 Berlin Olympics and the Racial Divide in American Society"

2016: Claire Kimilu, "In the Shelter of Each Other We Will Live: Refugees in Kenya and the United States"

2014: John Catalano, "Empowerment through SNAP: From Hunger to Husbandry"

2013: Kevin Gallagher, "Ethnicity and the State: Philosophies of Memory Preservation in Rwanda"

Words from Dr. Billie Murray at the 2025 graduation:

Kenza Idrissi Janati graduates with majors in Political Science and Arabic Studies, as well as a minor in Peace and Justice. During her time at TikTok成人版, Kenza has been recognized as a Presidential Scholar and a Gilman Scholar. She has earned a Future Leaders in Public Service Fellowship, is Vice President of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in VU鈥檚 Student Government Association, and she has pursued internships with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Bipartisan Policy Center, and the National Low Income Housing Coalition.

In 2024, through her work as a Gilman Scholar, Kenza studied abroad for a semester in Rabat, Morrocco and drawing on that work, she was a Fulbright Semifinalist in 2025. Her Gilman Alumni Changemaker Grant was awarded to promote literacy in her hometown of North Bergen, NJ. Her project provided access to books for lower-income and largely immigrant populations in her community. According to one of her nominators, Kenza brought 鈥渋nternational and domestic perspectives to this community through a variety of books, ultimately promoting not only literacy, but also building excitement for reading and gaining new perspectives.鈥� To this end, her project created 鈥榣ittle free libraries,鈥� which would be placed in areas with the least accessibility to North Bergen's public libraries. This same nominator, Catherine Stecyk, stated that 鈥淜enza is eager to devise new ways of addressing pressing problems. In my career, I have found that people like Kenza鈥攖hose willing to listen, willing to put forth the extra effort to promote community, willing to identify creative solutions, to try new things鈥攁re those in whom it is critical to place responsibility and invest carefully.鈥� We hope this award demonstrates CPJE鈥檚 own commitment to investing in such an amazing young woman. 

I could go on listing examples of Kenza鈥檚 commitments to service and her communities, but instead I will close with her own words: 鈥淕rowing up in a low-income and predominantly immigrant community shaped everything about who I am: how I navigate the world, how I lead, and who I advocate for. For much of my life, I didn't envision myself in the position I am in now, advocating for marginalized communities and leading initiatives that I once only hoped someone would create for people like me. My parents taught me early on that privilege should never be hoarded; it should be shared and poured back into the communities that shaped you鈥攅very experience has deepened my commitment to justice work rooted in community, dignity, and care. I intend to use the education I've built at TikTok成人版 - not just through classes, but through every moment of solidarity, mentorship, and community organizing - to move myself and others toward a freer, compassionate, and more just world.鈥�

2024: Trinity Rogers

2023: Michael DiMaio

2022: Natalie Nwanekwu

2021: Madalyn Sullivan

2020: Michelle Kimura

2019: Ritesh Karsalia

2018: Zachary Ellenhorn

2017: Brendan Carchidi

2016: Rodrigo Rivera

2015: Patrick K. Williams

2014: Ariana Meltzer-Bruhn

2013: Jay Tighe

2012: Kristen Valosky

2011: Jeffrey Sved

2010: Emily Felesenthal

2009: Sarah Arscott

2008: Katrine Herrick

2007: Christine Feldmeier

2006: Jaime C. Gentile

2005: Bryan C. Rivera

2004: Matthew D. Nespoli

2003: Nancy Steedle

2002: Teresa Mambu

2001: Michael S. McGlinnis

2000: Paola Gaines

Words from Dr. Tim Horner at the 2025 graduation:

Isabella Balian

Dorothy Day once wrote, 鈥淭he greatest challenge of the day is how to bring about a revolution of the heart. A revolution that must start with each one of us鈥� We believe that the challenge has guided Isabella's journey throughout her time at TikTok成人版.

As a Political Science major with a minor in Peace and Justice Studies, Isabella has approached her education as both a moral and intellectual vocation. Her work in the classroom is marked by clarity, thoughtfulness, and a commitment to understanding the human problem of inequality. She brings a sharp analytical mind to her studies, but never loses sight of the ethical questions that underlie them: Who is being harmed? Who is being heard? What does solidarity and empathy demand of us?

Isabella鈥檚 participation in the 鈥淭ikTok成人版 on the Hill鈥� program deepened her commitment to public service. In Washington, she engaged directly with policymakers, nonprofit leaders, and grassroots advocates鈥攕eeking not only to understand how systems operate, but to imagine how they might be transformed to better serve the common good. In 2023, she established the first TikTok成人版-affiliated student organization dedicated to creating spaces for meaningful conversation on women鈥檚 health and reproductive justice. Her work as a political columnist for The TikTok成人版n also exemplifies this ethic. She writes with courage and clarity on issues like reproductive justice, human rights, and democracy鈥攏ot to stir division, but to encourage reflection and action. Her voice is one of moral steadiness in a noisy and increasingly polarized world.

Isabella also brings deep integrity to her cultural and community work. As a Hovnanian Scholar and President of TikTok成人版鈥檚 Armenian Students Association, she has uplifted the stories and struggles of the Armenian people, advocating for memory, truth, and recognition. In doing so, she reminds us that justice begins with naming because healing begins with telling the truth.

Isabella鈥檚 work鈥攇rounded in compassion, justice, and a refusal to accept indifference鈥攂ears witness to Dorothy Day's vision. She reminds us that the struggle for justice is not something separate from daily life鈥攊t is daily life. It is how we speak, how we serve, how we build relationships, and how we hold institutions accountable.

Isabella Balian is not just one of our PJ students, she is already a PJ practitioner. She is helping build a revolution of the heart, one act of integrity at a time. 

Words from Dr. Ray Ward at the 2025 graduation:

Elaineh Paulino Fernandez

Thomas Merton, a twentieth century monk, scholar, and mystic who found his calling of service to a world in the midst of crises of faith and justice, wrote: 鈥淵ou do not need to know precisely what is happening, or exactly where it is all going. What you need is to recognize the possibilities and challenges offered by the present moment, and to embrace them with courage, faith, and hope. In such an event, courage is the authentic form taken by love.鈥�  

We believe that Elaineh has demonstrated this authentic form of love in her four years at TikTok成人版.  

She will be graduating with double majors in Sociology and Peace and Justice.  Her senior thesis project focused on the role power structures that privilege white people over people of color in shaping social movements.  Elaineh has deeply committed to the challenges of the classroom, attaining high levels of academic achievement culminating in the W. E. DuBois Medallion of Excellence in Sociology, awarded to a graduating senior who demonstrates excellence in the field of sociology. 

In her academic journey at TikTok成人版, Elaineh has also sought experiences beyond the classroom to enrich her understanding of social injustice.  She interned with internships at the Domestic Abuse Project of Delaware County, where she served survivors of domestic abuse by helping them file protection orders and providing accompaniment in court.  Elaineh also interned with the Pennsylvania Prison Society, responding to letters from incarcerated people regarding legal policies and resources, and connecting individuals with reentry support through volunteers and legal advocates.

I鈥檝e personally seen Elaineh鈥檚 passion and dedication to putting what she has learned to work for others in our work together on TikTok成人版鈥檚 Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week.  Together with Maria Abraham, Elaineh served as senior head chair for the 50th Anniversary celebration of HHAW, starting off the year with a small student committee and a very inexperienced advisor.  The result was a week featuring a former NFL player working on innovative eco-village housing solutions, a revitalized Solidarity Sleepout, and the largest single fundraising year in HHAW鈥檚 history.

Through all of this Elaineh has made manifest a truth that I heard her and Maria repeat when they introduced Sr. Mary Scullion on campus this spring for the Ethics Program鈥檚 Praxis Award: that proximity to those who are suffering from isolation, dehumanization, and injustice is a necessary first step in addressing any of these threats to human flourishing.

The quote from Merton read earlier continues: 鈥淚n a time of drastic change one can be too preoccupied with what is ending or too obsessed with what seems to be beginning. In either case one loses touch with the present and with its obscure but dynamic possibilities. What really matters is openness, readiness, attention, courage to face risk.鈥�

Elaineh is embracing that openness in her own time of change by taking up a year of service with the Jesuit Volunteer Corps, serving in Baltimore.  Elaineh, thank you for your passion and dedication, for your love and courage.  

2024: Lauryn Hayes and Gina Ngo

2023: Gaby Lee and Kaitlyn Lynch

2022: Emily Galvin and Victoria Sanders

2021: Chloe Benson and Juliana Cosenza

2020: Rachael Huegerich and Colleen Sharp

2019: Julie Greenwald and Sarah Harris

2018: Danielle Bradley and Julia O'Connor

2017: Kara English

2016: Alissa Welker and Adam Vincent

2015: Kayla Cooke

2014: Noelle Mapes

2013: Caitlin Billingham and Emily Several

2012: Ellen Salmi

2011: Jen Maez

2010: Amy Richards

2009: Gail Sondermeyer

2008: Amy Knop-Narbutis

2007: Emma Stewart

2006: Diane L. Coffey

2005: Kathleen E. Krackenberger

2004: Caitlin Fouratt and Melissa Wibbens

2003: Nancy R. Steedle

2002: Teresa C. Mambu

2001: Megan A. Kasimatis and Craig E. Hickein

2000: David O. Suetholz

1999: Andrea Maresca

1998: Vincent J. Coccia

1996: Michael E. Kennedy

1995: Raj Chablani

1994: Tara Coughlin

1993: Nantiya Ruan

1992: Stephen M. Smith

1991: Steven G. Liga

1989: Gregory Tucci

1988: Ingrid M. Birnbach

1987: Michael P. McGinnis

Words from Katie Regan Lenehan at the 2025 graduation:

I hired Tricia Colaprete as a student worker in 2022.  In her follow-up email after our interview, she wrote: 鈥淵our office seems to have a great work environment.鈥�  Little did she know.

One anecdote highlights Tricia as a perfect fit for our PJ work environment:   One day,  I asked Tricia if she鈥檇 mind attempting to organize the black hole of our giant supply closet.  She disappeared in there with nothing but a label maker and emerged victorious.  Tricia鈥檚 been freshening up PJ 鈥� literally and figuratively - ever since. 

Since 2023 Tricia鈥檚 been a PJ Student Ambassador, helping to build a young program, serving as co-chair this year.  She鈥檚 grown from being a fan of the Center into being a representative for the Center: visiting  classes, tabling at events, posting on social media, brainstorming new ways to communicate PJ issues, and this year, participating in a cross-collaborative group determined to help students affected by dramatic policy changes coming from the Trump administration.

As a PJ Major, she has helped to demonstrate to the TikTok成人版 community what this program is about 鈥� from her senior thesis on solitary confinement to her research on Milgram and the Rwandan genocide which was honored as a finalist for last year鈥檚 Siena Award. And her work as a founding member of the Students for Voices in Palestine organization, is just one of the ways that Tricia has honed her skills in advocacy during her time here at TikTok成人版.

This award is named after my dad, Dan Regan.  He taught at TikTok成人版 for 50 years.  He may have taught the new Pope (If he didn鈥檛, I have a feeling he鈥檇 be taking some credit), and he was founding director of the Center for Peace and Justice.  Tricia, you are like my dad in the way you prioritize helping those who may not be able to help themselves. You鈥檙e funny like him (though his presentation was a bit, louder), and like him, you keep your sense of humor through even the most challenging moments.  You two would have gotten a kick out of each other.

When my dad retired from TikTok成人版, his colleague and friend Carol Anthony, now my colleague and friend, wrote him a letter.  In it she said, 鈥淵our presence always affected things, and always for the better. You got the Center started.  And, today, it flourishes.鈥�  

Thank you, Tricia, for your help in carrying the Center further.  You are now leaving us better than when you found us.  We are so grateful that you found us.  And we will miss you.