Sine Qua Non

Sine Qua Non presents essential thought leadership from President Anne Prisco, Ph.D. on topics of significance in higher education today.

Ensuring Success in College for Latinx Students: Insights and Imperatives

Hispanic Heritage Month is a time to recognize the remarkable journey of college students of Hispanic descent in the United States. These students, like previous immigrant groups in American history, face unique challenges and experiences as they pursue higher education. Recent research sheds light on the disparities and difficulties Latinx students encounter, making it crucial for colleges and universities to provide the resources and support they need to succeed. 
 

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The Relevance of Values-Based Higher Education Has Never Been Greater

By their very nature, colleges, and universities serve to bring together people from different cultures and backgrounds as one community. At their best, campus communities build a strong sense of unity that empowers students to apply their education in the broader world to make a transformative impact. Higher education is ideally positioned to elicit positive effects. Catholic universities are at the heart of leading that change. Shafik (2021) describes the value proposition well by noting, “We need a social contract that … is less about ‘me’ and more about ‘we’.”   
 

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Reimagining the Student Compact: Lessons from History

We often talk about the importance of education and its impact on individuals and the greater community. That is not confined to just academics. Exposure and interaction with cultures different from ours can immeasurably expand our world. Learning about others’ experiences allows us to better understand the broader world around us.    
 


The Importance of Culture on Campus

We often talk about the importance of education and its impact on individuals and the greater community. That is not confined to just academics. Exposure and interaction with cultures different from ours can immeasurably expand our world. Learning about others’ experiences allows us to better understand the broader world around us.    
 


Where are All the Educators? Incentivizing Today’s Students to Educate the Next Generation

Following three school years impacted by COVID-19 mitigation measures, hitting K-12 schools in high-poverty areas across the United States the hardest, education experts are now assessing how the pandemic impacted—and continues to impact—the state of K-12 education nationwide.   
 


Breaking the Bias in Higher Education

The theme for this year’s International Women’s Day (March 8) was breaking the bias and “imagining a gender-equal world. A world free of bias, stereotypes, and discrimination. A world that’s diverse, equitable, and inclusive. A world where difference is valued and celebrated (where we) shine a spotlight on activity uplifting and inspiring women to pursue goals without bias or barrier.”

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Higher Education: More Value for the Money

So often we talk about education in terms of dollars spent. How much does tuition cost? What is the earning potential of a degree? Is a college education really worth the time and money? While those are valid questions, I would like to examine the broader picture of the value of post-secondary education and the financial and opportunity costs of impeding access to that education.

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First 100 Days

Since my arrival in July, I have been talking about faith and family as these words have real meaning for me personally, and for us as an institution. They reflect our current position, how we arrived here, and where we are headed. One poignant example of this occurred at one of our weekly masses in the chapel. I noticed two Muslim students in attendance, and as we chatted after the service, they explained they were taking a world religion class and wanted to understand Catholic traditions. Astutely, they cited similarities to their own faith and commented on how welcoming and open the Holy Family University campus was in making them feel right at home. This is what we are about.

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The Critical Path of Teneor Votis

Teneor votis (“I am bound by my responsibilities”) is the motto of Holy Family University, but how does it manifest itself in our daily lives? First and foremost, we believe our responsibility is to our community, whom we consider our family. How can we help our family grow and prosper?

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Contact President Prisco

President Anne Prisco