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In This Section
Service in the Pursuit of Love and Justice
As a SEEK Scholar, you will follow a path of “Service, Exploration, Experience, and Knowledge” (SEEK) while supported by the tradition of Catholic Social Thought. With a spirit of openness and a commitment to active and experiential learning, you will embrace authentic care for all creation by serving the poor, defending the dignity of all human beings, and advancing the cause of justice. The SEEK program invites you to explore who you are as a servant-leader—someone called to “see-judge-act,” intending to promote a more loving and just world. Although SEEK Scholars embrace the basic vision of Catholic Social Teaching, SEEK scholars come from a wide range of faith backgrounds, including those with no particular commitment other than a profound drive to learn and serve.
Structure of the SEEK Pathway
Seek Scholars pursue one of the four pathways that make up SVC Honors.
Before beginning the SEEK Pathway, all SVC Honors students share a common first year of coursework, lectures, service opportunities, and social celebrations. This shared foundation fosters meaningful relationships and a strong sense of community with other SVC Honors students, while fostering a collegial friendship among SEEK scholars.
As you take courses specific to the SEEK Pathway, your perspective will expand. You will recognize injustices, identify needs, and develop strategies to solve problems. The knowledge you gain will equip you with the skills to take action in real-world experiences helping communities in need. Your experience will culminate in a challenging service-learning trip to a location like Kentucky, West Virginia, Guatemala, or India.
SVC Honors
Service and Experiential Learning Trip
Program Highlights
Developing Skills to Serve with Heart
Situated in Northern Appalachia and with a history of educating first-generation college students, Saint Vincent College has a long history and deep roots in service to the local community, addressing the religious, economic, and social needs of the people here. Service-learning courses will place you and other SEEK scholars in contact with a variety of local populations, often in a position of accompaniment, listening, and presence. Sometimes, you will have experiences that will make use of your very specific skills and talents in service learning
Internships with Impact that Serve the Common Good
As part of the culminating experience of your time at Saint Vincent College, you will design at least one SEEK-oriented internship for credit. This internship might align closely with your major or place you in a completely new environment, but either way, it will focus on social justice. In the past, students have devoted time teaching English and catechesis in Guatemala, worked with juvenile offenders at Adelphoi Village, and assisted in prison ministry at SCI Laurel Highlands.
Flexible Curriculum with a Focused Purpose
As a SEEK scholar, you’ll have the flexibility to choose courses that align with your interests while building skills that support meaningful service. Through your studies, you’ll explore the global landscape of socioeconomic and political systems, identifying challenges that call for innovative thinking and strong leadership. Whether your path leads through economics, education, or engineering, you’ll be encouraged to uncover the shared human values that connect these fields and inspire action.
The Notable Endeavor: Learning in Action
SEEK Scholars will prepare to complete a transformative senior-year project. After completing a social justice-focused internship, you'll design and lead a capstone project—your “notable endeavor”—to make real-world impact. This is where you apply the knowledge you have gained in Honors courses and the skills you have developed in your internship to organize a protest, launch a community initiative, or advocate for policy changes. The experience will become a touchstone as you prepare for a future where your gifts are deployed for the good of others.
Expected Coursework and Other Requirements
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Anticipated Courses and Events
Academic Requirements
SEEK Core Curriculum
Complete 6 Honors Core Courses in a variety of disciplines to prepare you for real-world application, critical reflection, and community engagement including:- A service-learning experience
- An Honors section of Theology connected to the service experience
- Additional Honors Core courses
Truth and Interpretation Seminar
Read and discuss critical reflections on tradition, science, politics, culture, and more.
SEEK Internship
Apply classroom learning to real-world contexts in an internship that builds on the first-year service-learning foundation
SEEK Capstone Seminar
Students will work toward completing and presenting a Notable Endeavor by conducting research, leading a project, or designing a program that builds on the SEEK curriculum.Enrichment Opportunities
- Service projects
- Reading groups
- Academic events
- Social gatherings
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Key Courses
Coming soon.
Basic Principles of Catholic Social Thought
At the heart of all CST is the inherent dignity of ALL human beings, regardless of their religious affiliation, social location, political identity, economic status, or medical condition.- Human beings do not live in isolation but in community, within social and cultural structures. As such, these structures should further the common good and the just distribution of economic and vital goods to which ALL ARE ENTITLED.
- Social and political systems must respect the autonomy of the individual, the family, and local institutions in the principle of subsidiarity while recognizing that these institutions are destined to promote solidarity across all things that might divide the human community.
- Social, cultural, and political realities are an integral aspect of the universe, the air we breathe, and the water we drink. As such, the care for creation demands an integral vision of the human person, one that sees ALL things as interconnected.
- No legislation, no system of rules or negotiation, no line of reasoning will ever be able to surpass the appeal of love. Only an authentic way of love can animate and shape social interaction, moving it towards peace in the context of a world that is ever more complex.
Application and Contact Information
If you are interested in applying to SVC Honors, first apply for admission to Saint Vincent College: Apply to Saint Vincent College.
If your application meets the criteria, you will be invited to apply for SVC Honors. To be considered, you must submit a separate Honors application by February 15.
An interview is also required. Once your application is submitted, someone will reach out to schedule a brief interview.
If you have any questions or would like more information on SVC Honors, please contact our Director of Honors, Dr. Jerome Foss. He can be reached at: jerome.foss@stvincent.edu or 724-805-2652
Students interested in learning more specifically about SEEK pathway should contact Dr. Christopher McMahon at christopher.mcmahon@stvincent.edu
Explore other SVC Honors Pathways
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Aurelius Scholars of the Great Books
Explore the world through the Western intellectual tradition by studying the great texts, ideas, and perennial questions of the Western world. -
Faith, Science, and Technology Scholars
Explore the interplay between faith, science, and technology in the liberal arts tradition by cultivating critical thinking, ethical reasoning, and a deeper appreciation for the complexities of modern society. -
Benedictine Leadership Studies
The Benedictine Leadership Studies (BLS) program invites you to explore who you are as a leader—a disciple called to serve others and promote the common good.