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School of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences

Cultivating Minds with Creative and Critical Thinking

Saint Vincent College's School of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences (AHSS) offers a transformative education for curious, intellectually engaged students. Here's why AHSS at Saint Vincent is a great choice:

  • Explore the Fascinating World: The AHSS curriculum immerses you in the rich diversity of human experience - from history and culture to philosophy, language, and the arts. Discover your passions and gain a deeper understanding of the world.
  • Develop as a Person: At the heart of an AHSS education is a focus on the human experience. You'll learn to think critically, communicate effectively, and engage empathetically with people from all walks of life.
  • Enrich Your Life: Studying the arts, humanities, and social sciences doesn't just expand your knowledge - it enhances your life. Dive into your creative interests, grapple with big questions, and learn to appreciate beauty in its many forms.
  • Bring Positive Change: AHSS graduates are equipped to make meaningful contributions to their communities. Whether through the arts, public service, education, or beyond, you can use your talents to make a difference.

If you're intellectually curious, passionate about people, and eager to grow as a thinker and creator, AHSS at Saint Vincent College could be the perfect fit. Explore our wide range of majors and start your transformative journey today.

 

Transforming the Future: AHSS Graduates Leading the Way!

Adelphoi • Catholic School, Private, and Public Schools • First Commonwealth Bank • Forbes Hospital • Headspace Media • Liturgical Press • Matthews International • Midway Financial • National Security Agency • Parkhurst Dining • Skene 19 Films • UPMC• Wesley Family Services • Westmoreland Community Action • WTOV • and more!
2022-23 Career Outcome Report

Pursuing Excellence: AHSS Graduates Thriving in Prestigious Graduate Schools!

Boston College • Duquesne University • Floriday Gulf Coast University • Illinois State University • Indiana University of Pennsylvania • Kent State University • Messiah University • Minneapolis College of Art and Design • Mount Saint Mary's Seminary • Robert Morris University • Saint Vincent Seminary • University College London • University of Pittsburgh • West Virginia University and more!
2022-23 Graduate Schools Report

Transfomative Education

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    Undergraduate Programs

    With majors, minors, and certificates offered across twelve dynamic departments, you can tailor your education to your interests and career goals. Dive into a curriculum designed to foster critical thinking, creativity, and a deep understanding of the human experience.

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    Experiences and Opportunities

    Engage in our honors and scholar programs, join relevant clubs and organizations, and participate in enriching travel courses. Gain hands-on experience through internships and field experiences that complement your academic journey, ensuring a well-rounded and comprehensive education.

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    Graduate Degrees and Certificates

    Elevate your career with our flexible graduate programs in education and explore our wide range of professional certificates to enhance your marketability and expertise in your chosen field.

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    Community and Student Resources

    Discover our academic guest series, on-campus resources, and academic centers that promote scholarly advancement and intellectual engagement.

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    Our People

    Our faculty in the School of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences are experts with advanced degrees, actively engaged in research, and dedicated to providing a high-quality education.

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    AHSS News

    The quarterly publication of the AHSS newsletter celebrates and highlights the achievements within our department, showcasing the innovative research and projects our faculty and students are involved in, as well as the professional successes of our alumni. 

State and Nationally Ranked Programs

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    • Master of Science in Counselor Education - #3 in Pennsylvania, #10 nationally
    • Physics Education - #1 in Pennsylvania, #5 nationally
    • Theology - #1 in Pennsylvania and #16 nationally
    • Philosophy - #2 in Pennsylvania, #6 nationally
    • Digital Art and Media - #5 in Pennsylvania, #29 nationally
    • Communication - #5 in Pennsylvania, #102 nationally
    • Art Education - #8 in the state, #64 nationally
    • Middle Grades Education - #9 in Pennsylvania, #64 nationally

     

The Arts

Music, Theater, and Performing Arts

Immerse yourself in the vibrant world of music and theater at Saint Vincent College. Our dynamic performing arts programs offer a wealth of opportunities for students to explore their creative passions and develop their talents. Whether you're an aspiring musician or actor, you'll find a supportive and inspiring community that encourages artistic growth and expression. Join us and become part of a thriving performing arts scene where your creativity can truly flourish.

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Foster and Muriel McCarl Coverlet Gallery

Discover the McCarl Coverlet Gallery, dedicated to preserving and showcasing historic coverlets. Explore our unique collection and educational programs that celebrate the rich textile heritage of the region.

Learn More

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Verostko Center for the Arts

Explore the Verostko Center for the Arts at Saint Vincent College, a place dedicated to artistic expression and cultural enrichment. Discover our diverse exhibitions and educational programs designed to inspire creativity and engage the community.

Learn More

 

Scholarships

The School of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences offers discipline-specific scholarships, many named after influential faculty who impacted students through teaching and mentoring. These scholarships reflect the strong relationships between students and professors, fostering ongoing connections to Saint Vincent and garnering support from alumni and friends for current students.

  • Education

    Kathleen Durkin Bendel Memorial Scholarship

    The Kathleen Durkin Bendel Scholarship is presented annually to an SVC student with either an education major or minor who is either a junior or in the last year before student teaching. It honors Kathleen Durkin Bendel, a beloved teacher in the Greater Latrobe School District and at Holy Trinity Catholic School. Kathy was very involved in service to her school and community. Her husband wished to honor her by offering support to a worthy candidate, both academically strong and service minded rising senior education major as they move into student teaching.  $1000 award

    Matt Russo Memorial Scholarship

    The Matt Russo Memorial Scholarship is given in honor and remembrance of Matt Russo. Matt Russo was a student at Saint Vincent College, working towards his bachelor’s degree in Prek-4 education. He was in his junior year when he passed.  Matt was a kind and gentle soul, a friend to all, a wickedly funny sense of humor, and someone whose future looked very bright. He was a young man that everyone claimed as a friend; he worked well as part of a group and had a very unassuming personality. He also had a leadership side that allowed him to pursue and become a member of the student government. He embraced everything about being a student at Saint Vincent. He joined the clubs of the education department and participated in the events they held. He was proud to be a Bearcat! $1000 award

  • History

    Charles G. and Anita L. Manoli Scholarship Fund

    The late Charles G. Manoli Sr., Emeritus Professor of History, was a much beloved professor and colleague throughout his 43 years of teaching at Saint Vincent College. He was a graduate of the Saint Vincent Preparatory School (1945) and Saint Vincent College (1951) and his work was recognized by the college with an honorary doctor of humane letters degree in 2005. Mrs. Anita L. Manoli was a treasured Spanish language educator at area high schools and both Charles (Chuck) and Anita were dedicated supporters of higher education in Westmoreland County. They and their family established the Charles G. and Anita L. Manoli Scholarship Fund to continue their support of Saint Vincent College students.

    Professor Chuck Manoli’s legacy is carried on through the work of the students who had the privilege of studying with him, many of whom serve on the Manoli Scholarship Committee, which raises funds for this scholarship and works with the College to organizes an annual Manoli dinner and lecture.

    The Manoli scholarship is awarded each year to a history major identified by History Department faculty. The scholarship is renewable for up to four years contingent on the awardees’ continued merit and satisfactory progress in their history major. Awardees are recognized at the annual Manoli Scholarship Event.

  • Music

    Gabriel Burda Memorial Music Scholarship  

    Any incoming freshman Music major may apply and audition for this scholarship at the same time he/she auditions for the Department of Music. The scholarship award is $4000 per year for up to four years as long as the student makes progress in their Music major and stays in good academic standing each semester.  Students applying for the music major should indicate their interest in this scholarship when registering for an audition to receive additional application materials. Notification of acceptance into the Department is made separately from the announcement of the scholarship recipient.

    Marching Band and Chorus Scholarships

    The Saint Vincent Marching Band and Saint Vincent Singers enrich our community and enhance campus culture by performing at sporting and academic events. We are pleased to offer renewable scholarships of $250-$500 to incoming freshmen who commit to participating in the Saint Vincent Marching Band or Saint Vincent Singers (chorus). A deadline for expressing interest in these scholarships is April 1. Interested students should contact Dr. Sean Durkin (marching band) or Dr. Caryn Greco (chorus) for more information. 

  • Language and Physics

    Vera and Jaroslav Slezak Scholarships

    These scholarships honor the memory of Vera Slezak who served for decades as a professor of German and Jaroslav Slezak, a long-serving professor of physics.  One scholarship is awarded annually to a sophomore or junior physics major or physics-related minor and another is awarded to a sophomore or junior language major or minor, with preference given to students minoring in German. Language students can request an application packet from Dr. Doreen Blandino.

    The Slezak Scholarship was made possible by the generous bequest of Professors Jaroslav and Vera Slezak, who joined the faculty of Saint Vincent College in 1960. Professor Jaroslav Slezak taught Physics and his wife, Vera, taught German and Russian. Vera Slezak’s appointment to the faculty was historic, making her the first female faculty member in the history of Saint Vincent College.

    Refusing to join the Communist Party in Czechoslovakia, the Slezaks courageously left everything behind their family, friends, careers, and possessions as they fled to the hills of Austria where they lived “underground,” exhibiting remarkable strength, determination and an unwavering Catholic faith that would culminate in their safe arrival at Saint Vincent College in 1960.

    Professors Jaroslav and Vera Slezak were held in high regard by their students and colleagues. They were outstanding professors who had set high standards for academic excellence and character in and outside of the classroom. Generations of students praised the couple because they were compassionate leaders who readily and faithfully served their community and had instilled the development of these traits in their students for several decades.

  • Psychology

    Fr. Vernon Holtz, O.S.B. Endowed Scholarship   

    The Fr. Vernon Holtz, O.S.B. Endowed Scholarship is awarded annually to a junior or senior psychology major. Fr. Vernon was a longtime faculty member in the Psychological Science Department, and he served the College, Monastery, and the Preparatory School for 66 years in countless roles, including assistant headmaster, department chair, and academic dean. His interests in psychology focused on existential phenomenology and its understanding of the relationship between the psyche and the spirit, or mental health and spirituality. He was active in counseling and integral to founding and implementing an aging and spirituality program for the local community. In addition to being dedicated to mental health and spirituality, Fr. Vernon was a lover of sports. He founded and served as head coach for the Saint Vincent soccer team and coached several other sports as well. Fr. Vernon was a dynamic and challenging teacher and a beloved mentor to both students and faculty. This scholarship honors the life and work of Fr. Vernon Holtz, O.S.B.

  • Theology

    Reverend Nathan Munsch, O.S.B. Scholarship

    The Rev. Nathan Munsch O.S.B. Scholarship was established in 2020. Awarded annually, the scholarship recognizes academic excellence, pastoral wisdom, and spiritual maturity in a theology major. A member of the Saint Vincent Benedictine monastic community since 1993, Father Nathan retired in 2020 after being diagnosed with ALS. He taught theology and Latin at both Saint Vincent College and Seminary for more than 20 years, while he served as pastor of the parishes of Saint Benedict, Saint Mary, and Saint Michael. From 2015-20, he was also director of pastoral formation for Saint Vincent Seminary. Fr. Nathan helped to shape the lives of thousands during his career as a priest and educator modeling how to integrate theological study, pastoral care, and spirituality to do good for others and to glorify God. The scholarship ($1500/year) applies to a student’s junior and senior year.

Meet the Dean

  • Portrait of Elaine Bennett, Dean of AHSS
    Dr. Bennett has been a member of the Saint Vincent College faculty since 2010 and currently serves as dean of the School of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences, is chair of the Sociology and Anthropology Department, and director of the College’s anthropology, public health, and global engagement programs.

    As an applied medical anthropologist with a background in public health, Dr. Bennett studies child health and nutrition in indigenous populations in Guatemala and works with community-based organizations to develop, improve, and evaluate maternal and child health programs. She has actively involved Saint Vincent College students from disciplines ranging from anthropology and English to biology and engineering in these projects, taking them to Guatemala to participate in a build on her research and practice projects.

    Dr. Bennett is dedicated to experiential learning and community-engaged learning and incorporates these into her courses. She also regularly presents and publishes on these pedagogies. In addition to developing opportunities for students to do research in Guatemala, she carries out applied research projects locally with student research teams. Dr. Bennett teaches courses across the four fields of anthropology and has run study-abroad courses in Guatemala and Peru.