Features

Through the Lens of Photography: Professor Federica Valabrega

Through the Lens of Photography: Professor Federica Valabrega

Professor Federica Valabrega is a Rome-born photographer and journalist. Throughout her career, she has worked with publications such as The Washington Post, The New York Times, and Rolling Stone USA. She is currently a professor of photojournalism at JCU.

Make a Bigger Impact: Meet Communications Major Emma Van Dyke

Make a Bigger Impact: Meet Communications Major Emma Van Dyke

Emma Van Dyke is a Communications major and an Entrepreneurship minor from Virginia. She has an eclectic extracurricular background in dancing and teaching snowboarding. At JCU, she is the president of STAND.

Uncovering the Past and Shaping the Future with Professor Emily Hurt

Uncovering the Past and Shaping the Future with Professor Emily Hurt

Professor Emily Hurt is a scholar of Classical Studies with a passion for ancient Mediterranean exploration. Originally from Rhode Island, she moved to Italy in 2019, where she discovered John Cabot University and joined the faculty as a full-time Classical Studies professor.

The Power of Connection: Meet Alumna Danah Alkhafaji

The Power of Connection: Meet Alumna Danah Alkhafaji

Danah is an Arab American alumna who graduated from JCU in 2024 with a B.A. in Humanistic Studies and a minor in Philosophy. She was recently accepted to the London School of Economics (LSE), where she will pursue an M.A. in Human Rights and Politics. While at JCU, Danah founded the Arab Student Association (ASA).

Like Daughter, Like Mother: Meet Kimberly and Grace Wainscoat

Like Daughter, Like Mother: Meet Kimberly and Grace Wainscoat

Kimberly and her daughter Grace came to Rome from the San Francisco Bay Area to study art history at JCU. Grace came first in 2017 as an undergraduate student, and now she is in law school at the University of San Francisco, while Kimberly is currently pursuing her MA in Art History at JCU. 

Make the Most of It: Meet Study Abroad Olivia Kamarec

Make the Most of It: Meet Study Abroad Olivia Kamarec

Olivia is from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and she spent the Fall 2024 semester at JCU. She is a Business Management major and dreams of opening her own cafe someday.

The Critical Art of Cooking: Meet Alumna Viviana Calvagno

The Critical Art of Cooking: Meet Alumna Viviana Calvagno

Viviana is a JCU alumna from Viterbo, a city near Rome. She earned both a BA and an MA in Art History. Through the years, she was able to combine her artistic background with her passion for cooking. She is now a plant-based chef, an international cooking teacher, and the co-founder of Sol Creative.

A Minimalist Life: Meet Study Abroad Student Thao Nguyen

A Minimalist Life: Meet Study Abroad Student Thao Nguyen

Thao, originally from Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam, spent the Fall 2024 semester at JCU as a study abroad student from the American University in Washington D.C. She is a double major in Entertainment Business and Music, and she wants to become a professional music composer.

Meet Study Abroad Student Duncan Roskovensky

Meet Study Abroad Student Duncan Roskovensky

Duncan is a freshman from the University of Delaware, and he spent his first semester at JCU. He is a Fashion Design and Innovation major with a new-found passion for traveling.

Do What Scares You: Meet Humanistic Studies Major Allison Pomeroy

Do What Scares You: Meet Humanistic Studies Major Allison Pomeroy

Allison is a Humanistic Studies major and Classical Studies and Philosophy minor from San Jose, California.

The Art Reporter: Meet Art History Major Aleksandra Nasobina

The Art Reporter: Meet Art History Major Aleksandra Nasobina

Aleksandra is pursuing a degree in Art History and she’s the President of the JCU Art History Society. She also runs a TikTok channel, The Art Report, where she discusses all things art.

Meet Psychology Alumna Rebecca Proietti

Meet Psychology Alumna Rebecca Proietti

Rebecca Proietti, class of 2024, graduated from JCU with a major in Psychology and a minor in Legal Studies. She is currently pursuing her Master’s degree in Legal Psychology at Maastricht University, in the Netherlands.

Diplomacy is Key: Meet International Affairs Major Harman Singh

Diplomacy is Key: Meet International Affairs Major Harman Singh

Originally hailing from India, Harman grew up in the States. He is an International Affairs major, the Vice president of Student Government, and President of the International Relations Society.

The Mental Health Impacts of Prejudice and Discrimination: Meet Psychology Professor Angelo Brandelli Costa

The Mental Health Impacts of Prejudice and Discrimination: Meet Psychology Professor Angelo Brandelli Costa

Angelo Brandelli Costa has been a Psychology professor at JCU since Fall 2024. Born in Brazil but with Italian origins, he has dedicated his life to teaching and research in the field of psychology with a focus on sexuality, prejudice, and discrimination.

Nothing Short of Transformative: International Affairs Student Martina Atanasova

Nothing Short of Transformative: International Affairs Student Martina Atanasova

Martina is originally from Bulgaria, but she grew up in Lebanon. She is now studying for her BA with a major in International Affairs and a minor in Legal Studies. She is co-founder of the Arab Student Association and is the Vice President of the Women’s Leadership Initiative.

Doors Open Wide: Meet History Major Jacob Madsen

Doors Open Wide: Meet History Major Jacob Madsen

Jacob Madsen is a History major and Art History minor at JCU. He is the Vice President of the History & Humanities Society, and part of the Performing Arts Company.

Meet History Major Nicolette Balazs

Meet History Major Nicolette Balazs

Meet Nicolette Balazs, History and Communications student, Vice President of STAND, History and Humanities department representative, and assistant at the Athletics Office at JCU.

Home Away from Home: Meet International Business Student Leonardo Di Franco-Cascone

Home Away from Home: Meet International Business Student Leonardo Di Franco-Cascone

Raised between LA and Rome, Leonardo is an International Business major and a Marketing minor. Because of his passion for movies and the open discussions they offer, he is the President of the Film Appreciation Club.

Meet Psychology Alumna Nicole Girardi

Meet Psychology Alumna Nicole Girardi

Nicole, class of 2024, graduated from JCU with a major in Psychology and a minor in Legal Studies. She is now pursuing her Master’s degree in Forensic Psychology at John Jay College, in New York.

Meet Classical Studies Student Helena Hollander 

Meet Classical Studies Student Helena Hollander 

Helena has come all the way from Oregon to pursue a BA in Classical Studies. She told us all about her experience as an American in Italy and why Classics are still important.