2025 News

October 23, 2025

I Heard Her Call My Name: Author Lucy Sante Presents Her Memoir at JCU

On Thursday, October 9, 2025, John Cabot University welcomed author Lucy Sante, for a discussion about her new book, I Heard Her Call My Name: A Memoir of Transition (Hutchinson Heinemann, 2024).

October 23, 2025

Policy in Action: The Role of NGOs and Youth Groups in Impacting Agrifood Systems

On October 17, 2025, students from JCU had the opportunity to participate in a dynamic simulation event organized by ProVeg International, a global NGO committed to raising awareness of sustainable food systems.

October 22, 2025

Sustainability Careers: Expert Talk with Dragana Stojkovich

On October 16, students had the chance to hear from Dragana Stojkovich, sustainability and environment manager at dnata Travel Group in Dubai, the holding group for Emirates Airlines, in a talk on careers in sustainability.

October 21, 2025

JCU Welcomes Climate Finance Experts Cristina Altomare and Rohith Subramania

JCU hosted climate finance experts Rohith Subramania and Cristina Altomare, who work for the United Nations Development Programme. They shared insights on climate finance, history, challenges, and global initiatives like the Green Climate Fund and Paris Agreement.

October 20, 2025

JCU Team Gets Second Place at FAO’s “Reboot the Earth” Hackathon

On October 13, 2025, the “Reboot the Earth” Hackathon took place at the FAO headquarters in Rome. JCU's Professor Marco Pascucci participated in the event and his team earned second place.

October 15, 2025

Three JCU Students Receive America Award from Italy-USA Foundation

JCU students Leonardo Di Franco-Cascone, Grace Sullivan, and Lusiana Veveiros received medals of the Italian Parliament as part of the America Award presented by the Italy-USA Foundation on October 10, 2025.

October 14, 2025

Professor Elisa Puvia Gives Guest Lecture at Rotary Club Carrara (MS)

On September 30, Professor Elisa Puvia was invited as a guest lecturer to give a talk at the Rotary Club Carrara (MS) in Tuscany entitled "L’Eterno Femminino: How Objectification Shapes Bodies, Minds, and Societies."

October 13, 2025

Rome Demythologized: Classics Professor Thomas Govero

Classics Professor Thomas Govero has taught at the high school and college level for over 30 years. He holds degrees from St. Louis University and the University of Colorado-Boulder. He has taught Classics at John Cabot University since 2003 and prior to that at the University of Maryland European Division and Boston University in Padua, Italy.

October 13, 2025

Beyond the Numbers: MA in International Affairs Student Megan Zeldenrust

After completing her undergraduate studies in Georgia with a dual degree in Business and Mathematics, Megan Zeldenrust decided to pursue an MA in International Affairs at JCU. She did an internship with the World Food Programme as part of the Community Feedback Mechanism team.

October 13, 2025

Bring on the Drama: Literature Professor Livia Sacchetti

Livia Sacchetti was born in Rome, where she was raised bilingually and educated in English. She earned her degree at Sapienza University with a Master's thesis on Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet and a doctoral thesis on Tom Stoppard's theater.

October 09, 2025

JCU Presents a Reinvention of Shakespeare’s Antony and Cleopatra

This year, John Cabot University’s Performing Arts Program will be organizing a production of Antony and Cleopatra: A Memory in Ruins!, a retelling of Shakespeare’s Antony and Cleopatra.

October 08, 2025

Digital Delights and Disturbances Launches Fall 2025 Edition with T. J. Demos on Palestinian Ecocide Talk

JCU's Communication and Media Studies department welcomed Professor T. J. Demos for a talk on Gaza’s Genocide, Ecocide, Technolibertarian Warfare, and the Seeds of Survival. The event kicked off the Fall 2025 edition of Digital Delights and Disturbances (DDD).

October 08, 2025

President’s Gala 2025 Celebrates Franco Pavoncello’s 20 Years of Leadership

On Saturday, September 20, 2025, over 110 members of the John Cabot University community gathered at the Hotel Hassler in Rome for the annual President’s Gala, celebrating President Franco Pavoncello’s 20 years of leadership.

October 08, 2025

JCU Celebrates 20 Years of InVerse – Italian Poets in Translation

On October 1, John Cabot University hosted InVerse 2025 – Italian Poets in Translation, marking the 20th anniversary of the festival.

October 03, 2025

Writing New Worlds with JCU’s Professor Juliana Barbassa

Juliana Barbassa recently joined the Communication and Media Studies department. A Brazilian who has lived all over the world before coming to Rome, she now uses her extensive background in journalism to teach in the classroom at JCU.

October 03, 2025

Professor Rosa Filardi Participates in Conference on Dance Movement Therapy in Lithuania

From September 12 to September 14, 2025, JCU’s Professor Rosa Filardi recently participated in the fifth edition of the European Association of Dance Movement Therapy (EADMT) conference in Vilnius, Lithuania.

October 02, 2025

Stories That Inspire Action: Communications Alumna Sara Gabai Publishes New Research on Sustainability Communication

Alumna Sara Gabai recently published research exploring the role of sustainability communication in driving behavior change, strengthening public engagement, and supporting policy advocacy.

October 02, 2025

Meet MA in International Affairs Student Tavaka Mutungamiri

Tavaka Mutungamiri traveled from Zimbabwe to to be a student in the MA program in International Affairs. Over the summer, Tavaka attended the UNICRI summer school at JCU. He has also worked with the Fact Zimbabwe NGO.

September 30, 2025

Professor David Levy Publishes New Book on Maimonides

Professor Levy recently published an Italian translation of Maimonides' philosophical commentary on Pirkei Avot (Giuntina, 2025).

September 26, 2025

JCU Club Leaders Participate in AACUPI Welcome Day

On September 23, 2025, a delegation of JCU student leaders was invited to take part in the inaugural Welcome Day event hosted by the Association of American College and University Programs in Italy (AACUPI).

September 26, 2025

JCU’s Professor Antonio Lopez Featured in Eco-literacy Guide The RePlaybook

JCU’s very own Professor Antonio Lopez has been featured in the book The RePlaybook: A Field Guide to the Climate and Information Crisis, which provides a comprehensive text for tackling climate change dialogue in the digital age.

September 25, 2025

AI in Education: Jonathan Aberman Explores Innovation at JCU Webinar

The Frank J. Guarini School of Business and the JCU Institute for Entrepreneurship hosted a webinar for its “AI Dialogues” series featuring Jonathan Aberman, CEO and co-founder of Hupside. He discussed how artificial intelligence is an asset to human capabilities and how it can be a danger to individuality.

September 24, 2025

International Affairs Major Francesca Ceparano Publishes Article on Opinio Juris

Francesca is a senior at JCU majoring in International Affairs and minoring in Legal Studies. She recently wrote an article about Italy’s handling of the case of Libyan general Osama Elmasry Njeem, which was published on Opinio Juris, a blog dedicated to international law.

September 23, 2025

JCU Board of Trustees Votes to Name New Campus After President Franco Pavoncello

On Saturday, September 20, 2025, the John Cabot University Board of Trustees announced that the recently inaugurated building on Lungotevere Raffaele Sanzio 11 will be named the Franco Pavoncello Campus.

September 22, 2025

Alumnus Matthew Beckmann’s Journey with Art History

Matthew Beckmann is a JCU alumnus (class of 2020). He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Humanistic Studies from JCU in 2019 and stayed on to earn an MA in Art History. Matthew now runs his own copywriting business in The Hague, Netherlands.

September 19, 2025

JCU Kicks Off Fall 2025 With Record Enrollment

John Cabot University kicked off the Fall 2025 semester by welcoming over 1,040 new students to its vibrant urban campus in the heart of Rome’s historic Trastevere neighborhood.

September 18, 2025

Psychology Major Rosemary Ace Rosas Shares Her Path to JCU

Rosemary Ace Rosas is a senior Psychological Science major at JCU. Originally from Mexico, she has lived all over the U.S. before ending up in Rome. From film sets and TikTok stardom to being an RA, Rosemary shares her experiences at JCU and her plans for the future.

September 16, 2025

“Overcoming the Biological Limits of Humanity:” JCU Professor Sorgner Discusses the Future of Transhumanism

In August 2025, the Italian newsmagazine L’Espresso dedicated a special issue entitled “È già futuro” (“The Future is Already Here”) to the themes of innovation and technological change. Among its featured contributions was the essay “Transumanesimo. L’identità aumenta” (“Transhumanism. Identity Expands”), written by JCU's Professor Stefan Lorenz Sorgner.

September 15, 2025

JCU Hosts EU Special Representative for the Gulf Region, Luigi Di Maio

On Monday September 8, 2025, the Department of Political Science and International Affairs, the Guarini Institute for Public Affairs and the MA in International Affairs of JCU hosted EU representative Luigi Di Maio.

September 15, 2025

JCU Clubs and Organizations Kick Off Fall Semester 2025

During the first two weeks of classes, John Cabot University hosted three traditional events to kick off the new academic year for clubs and organizations: the traditional Welcome Aperitivo for Club Leaders and Advisors, the Club Leader Team Building Training, and the Student Life Fair, all organized by the Student Engagement Office.

September 08, 2025

Meet MA in Art History Alumna Madison Pierson

Madison Pierson graduated with an MA in Art History in December 2020. Madison is currently the Collections and Gallery Assistant at Lawrence University, in Appleton, Wisconsin.

September 04, 2025

Meet Political Science Major Deborah Fordjour

Deborah Fordjour is majoring in Political Science at John Cabot. She’s a member of the Black and African Student Association as well as a Resident Assistant. From favorite memories to plans for the future, Deborah shares her experience at JCU.

September 03, 2025

An Innovative Way Forward: Professor Riccardo Maiolini and Social Entrepreneurship

In his Social Entrepreneurship course, Professor Riccardo Maiolini teaches students to think systematically about social and environmental values and develop a socially conscious business mindset.

September 02, 2025

Internship Abroad Leads JCU Students to Washington, D.C.

John Cabot University students Nina Lange, Mario Dinicola, and Samuele Nusca-Dagon had the unique opportunity to intern with Fairfax City Economic Development. Their project focused on strategies to help Fairfax City attract Italian companies looking to expand into the U.S. market.

September 02, 2025

Combating Human Trafficking: A JCU Student’s Internship Experience

Francesca Mattetti, a Political Science major with minors in Legal Studies and Sociology at John Cabot University, interned at Talitha Kum, a Catholic network of religious sisters dedicated to combating human trafficking.

August 27, 2025

A Picture Come to Life: Meet Art History MA Alumna Erin Bello

Erin Bello, from North Carolina, graduated from JCU with an Art History MA in 2019. She worked in submarine archeological sites.

$John Cabot University and Refraction Launch Strategic Fellowship Program for Students$

August 27, 2025

John Cabot University and Refraction Launch Strategic Fellowship Program for Students

In July 2025, John Cabot University entered into a strategic partnership with Refraction, a prominent innovation hub based in northern Virginia, to establish the Refraction Innovation Fellowship, a remote professional development program designed to provide JCU students with direct exposure to the U.S. startup ecosystem.

August 27, 2025

Purpose and Impact: Prof. Jakobsone Bellomi Guides Future Changemakers to Found NGOs

Professor Jakobsone Bellomi’s NGO Consulting Lab course adopts a holistic approach in its quest to uncover how to mainstream human rights, gender equity, diversity and environmental sustainability in the work of NGOs.

August 12, 2025

The Use of Technology for a Green and Sustainable Future: Professor Stefano Gazziano

Professor Gazziano seeks to convey to students the importance of using technology to create value and reduce environmental impact. His Technologies and Strategies for the Sustainable Enterprise course introduces students to technical approaches of information and communication technologies (ICTs) to understand how to measure and reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHG).

August 12, 2025

Fostering Environmental Awareness Through Media: Professor Antonio Lopez

Through his vocation for ecomedia literacy, Professor Antonio Lopez motivates students to embark on the quest for environmental awareness. Each of his courses presents unique challenges and innovative solutions to the ongoing environmental crisis.

July 31, 2025

Teaching the Future: Prof. Giaccari's Human Rights and Business in Action

In Professor Chiara Giaccari's Human Rights and Business class, students are challenged to act as advisors, encouraging companies to integrate human rights into every aspect of their operations.

July 31, 2025

JCU and UNICRI Conclude 10th Edition of Summer School on Migration and Human Rights

The 10th edition of the Summer School on Migration and Human Rights organized by the United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI) and John Cabot University was successfully held at JCU in Rome from 7 to 11 July, 2025.

July 08, 2025

JCU Graduates Attend 2025 Student Leader Global Summit in Cork, Ireland

From June 17 to June 19, 2025, three recent JCU graduates and student leaders, Sebastian Terrazas, Rhoda Basoah and Federica Murgolo, attended the Student Leader Global Summit to present their project at the University College Cork, Ireland.

July 02, 2025

JCU Students Travel to USA for Fairfax City Economic Development Fellowship

John Cabot University Fellows visited Northern Virginia/ DC Region to cap off the Fairfax City Economic Development Fellowship.

July 01, 2025

Director Francesco Lapenta Participates in VI Siena Conference on Europe's Strategic Transitions

Francesco Lapenta, Director of the JCU Institute of Future and Innovation Studies, took part in the VI Siena Conference held at the Certosa di Pontignano from June 19 - 21, 2025.

June 24, 2025

“The Heart Dies of This Sweetness:” JCU Welcomes Writer in Residence Nicole Sealey

JCU had the honor of hosting poet Nicole Sealey as the Writer in Residence for the 2025 Summer Institute of Creative Writing and Literary Translation. Prior to her Writer’s Talk, she spoke about her time at JCU, the process behind her work, and her deep love for poetry.

June 18, 2025

Guarini Institute Presents "Pope Francis' Legacy"

On Tuesday, May 27, JCU’s Guarini Institute for Public Affairs hosted the event “Pope Francis’s Legacy,” featuring a panel of journalists and scholars dedicated to exploring the impact of Jorge Mario Bergoglio, who was Pope from 2013 to 2025.

June 18, 2025

Meet Study Abroad Student Aliyah Howell

Aliyah Howell, from Castle Rock, Colorado, studied at John Cabot University in Spring 2025. She is a Texas Christian University (TCU) student double majoring in Marketing and Journalism. During her time at JCU, Aliyah was an intern for the Web Communications Office.

June 18, 2025

The Critical Cartography of Technology and Power: Meet Visiting Professor Vladan Joler

John Cabot University is pleased to welcome Visiting Professor Vladan Joler, teaching Special Topics in Media Studies: Critical Cartography of Technology and Power.

June 17, 2025

Meet Study Abroad Student Mary Coakley

Mary Coakley, a Texas Christian University student from Virginia, studied at John Cabot University during the Spring 2025 semester. While she was at JCU, she was an intern for the University's Marketing Office.

June 10, 2025

Director Joins London Roundtable with Ukrainian Government on Information Warfare

On June 6 and 7, 2025, the Director of the Institute of Future and Innovation Studies Francesco Lapenta participated in a high-level, closed-door roundtable on The Future of the Information Environment and Democracy, held at the Army and Navy Club in London.

June 10, 2025

Italy Writes 2025 Announces Winners of Creative Writing Contest

On June 5, JCU Writer in Residence Nicole Sealey, an award-winning poet, joined the finalists of the Italy Writes 2025 Creative Writing Competition as Professor Christin Campbell announced the winners at the online award ceremony.

June 04, 2025

Professor Tobias Schildfat Interviewed by Leading Swedish Daily

John Cabot University professor Tobias Schildfat was recently interviewed about personal finance in Dagens Industri, Sweden's leading financial newspaper.

May 26, 2025

JCU Welcomes Sandra Martinsone, Advocacy Manager at Bond UK

Sandra Martinsone, the Policy and Advocacy Manager at Bond UK, recently delivered an insightful talk to students in JCU’s NGO Consulting Lab course (BUS/PL 325).

May 21, 2025

John Cabot University Celebrates the Class of 2025

John Cabot University celebrated the Class of 2025 on May 19 at a ceremony held at Villa Aurelia on Janiculum Hill, overlooking the city of Rome. With 248 students receiving their degrees, it was JCU’s largest graduating class to date.

May 16, 2025

JCU Establishes New Guarini Senior Fellowship on Transatlantic Relations

President Franco Pavoncello and Ambassador Armando Varricchio signed a new agreement establishing the Guarini Senior Fellowship on Transatlantic Relations last week during a visit of the Ambassador to John Cabot University.

May 15, 2025

Meet Class of 2025 Valedictorians Olivia De Laura and Giorgia Natalizia

John Cabot University’s Dean of Academic Affairs Stefano Arnone is pleased to announce the Valedictorians for the Class of 2025, Olivia De Laura and Giorgia Natalizia.

May 13, 2025

Professor Triglia’s Mergers and Acquisitions Students Negotiate in Hands-on Exercise

Students in Professor Teresa Triglia’s Mergers and Acquisitions course at John Cabot University recently stepped into the high-stakes world of corporate deal-making through a dynamic negotiation simulation.

May 13, 2025

Prof. Stefan Lorenz Sorgner’s Philosophy of Transhumanism Through a Latin American Lens

JCU is pleased to announce the publication of "Latin America Replies to Transhumanism: A Symposium on Sorgner’s We Have Always Been Cyborgs."

May 13, 2025

Institute Director Invited to Italian Air Force Aerospace Conference

Francesco Lapenta, Director of the JCU Institute of Future and Innovation Studies, was invited to participate in the "2025 Aerospace Power Conference."

May 13, 2025

Young Women in Action: JCU Hosts NGO Executive Director Besa Mwansa

As part of Professor Jākobsone Bellomi’s NGO Consulting Lab course, JCU had the pleasure of hosting Besa Mwansa, Executive Director of Young Women in Action (YWA), a youth-led, Zambian NGO committed to transforming the lives of young women for the better.

May 07, 2025

Student Aurora Caruso’s Film Project Chosen for Art Exhibit in Rome

Aurora Caruso is a JCU student double majoring in Communications and Art and Design. She grew up between Sicily, Rome and Belgium. Her film project, “Siamo una strada aperta,” recently got chosen to be featured in an art exhibition in Rome.

May 06, 2025

JCU Announces 2025 Commencement Guests Alberto Angela and John Meditz

John Cabot University is pleased to announce that Alberto Angela, a renowned paleontologist, naturalist, scientific communicator, and author, will be 2025 commencement speaker.

May 05, 2025

Exploring Luxury and Craftsmanship: A Visit to Ferragamo’s Headquarters in Florence

A delegation of students from John Cabot University had the opportunity to visit the headquarters of Ferragamo in Florence, Italy. The visit was organized by the Career Services Office.

May 05, 2025

JCU Announces Spring 2025 Triggering Change Competition Winners

John Cabot University is pleased to announce the winners of the Spring 2025 Triggering Change Competition.

April 29, 2025

Tibetan Mind-Body Practices with Professor Maria Kozhevnikov

JCU welcomed Professor Maria Kozhevnikov to discuss the scientific mechanisms behind Tibetan mind-body techniques.

April 28, 2025

Gladiators Go Green: The JCU Sustainability Fair

On April 16, 2025, the JCU Student Engagement Office hosted a sustainability fair. Many JCU clubs and offices came together to foster sustainability on campus and in everyday life.

April 28, 2025

Gladiators in Greece: A Historic Victory for JCU Athletics

On April 1-5, 2025, JCU student athletes and staff traveled to Athens, Greece for the International Sports Festival hosted by the American College of Greece (ACG).

April 28, 2025

Using the Past for the Present: Medieval Narratives in Modern Political and Religious Discourse

On March 28 and 29, 2025, John Cabot University hosted the international conference "Using the Past for the Present: Medieval Narratives in Modern Political and Religious Discourse."

April 22, 2025

Institute Director Francesco Lapenta Speaks at Eighth Transatlantic Forum

The Director of the Institute of Future and Innovation Studies, offered a critical analysis of the Trump administration’s tariff regime.

April 16, 2025

JCU Alumna Addison Hollomon Shares Her Experience as a Peace Corps Volunteer

On Monday, March 31, 2025, John Cabot University welcomed Addison Hollomon, a JCU alumna, who shared her experience as a Peace Corps Volunteer working in Morocco.

April 16, 2025

The Success of Failure: Meet JCU Alumnus Enrico Barchiesi

Alumnus Enrico Barchiesi graduated in 2021 with a B.A. in Business Administration and a minor in Entrepreneurship. When he was 21, he co-founded the startup EasyDesk, which he later transformed into Meravit, a data science and IT consulting agency.

April 16, 2025

Exploring the Human Auditory Brain with Professor Federico De Martino

On March 6, 2025, JCU welcomed Professor Federico De Martino from Maastricht University for the lecture “Unraveling the Past, Present, and Future in the Human Auditory Brain.”

April 16, 2025

Three Years and Counting: Russia’s War on Ukraine Panel Discussion

On March 18, 2025, JCU's Guarini Institute for Public Affair hosted a panel discussion, titled “Three Years and Counting: Russia’s War on Ukraine.

April 16, 2025

JCU’s Invisible Thread: The Maintenance Staff - Part 2

The JCU maintenance staff plays a vital, yet often underappreciated role. Read part two for Giuseppe, Nora and Saman’s stories.

April 16, 2025

John Cabot University Celebrates the 2025 New York Gala

On April 1, 2025, John Cabot University hosted its annual New York Gala at the University Club in New York City.

April 15, 2025

Connecting Through Art: Meet Alumna Courtney North

Courtney North, from Jacksonville, Florida, graduated from JCU with an MA in Art History in 2020. She currently works as Major Gift Officer at the Phillips Collection in Washington D.C.

April 08, 2025

India in the Indo-Pacific Framework: JCU’s Guarini Institute Hosts Former Ambassador Vincenzo De Luca

The Guarini Institute for Public Affairs at John Cabot University welcomed Vincenzo De Luca, former Italian ambassador to India, for a thought-provoking discussion on the evolving geopolitical landscape and India’s strategic positioning in the world.

April 07, 2025

JCU’s Invisible Thread: The Maintenance Staff – Part 1

It’s easy to overlook the JCU maintenance staff who help facilitate our experiences. Read part one for Alicia, Philip and Samuel’s stories.

April 04, 2025

Ex-GKN Workers’ Struggle in Italy: A Fight Beyond the Factory Walls

JCU’s STAND club hosted a roundtable discussion on the ongoing resistance of ex-GKN steelworkers in Campi Bisenzio, just a few miles from downtown Florence.

April 03, 2025

Fighting Exploitation Hidden in Plain Sight: Professor Scarpa’s Human Trafficking and Contemporary Slavery Class

By utilizing international law, international relations, sociology, and history as tools, Professor Scarpa has built a transdisciplinary course, based on discussing and examining specific forms of exploitation in the world, which permeate modern supply chains in the global economy.

March 31, 2025

JCU Welcomes World Food Programme Chief Economist Arif Husain

John Cabot University welcomed Arif Husain, Chief Economist at the World Food Programme (WFP), for a talk on food security and crisis prevention.

March 26, 2025

Translating the Untranslatable: Cole Swensen and Alessandro De Francesco

JCU had the pleasure of hosting American poet Cole Swensen and her Italian translator, Alessandro De Francesco, for a reading and discussion of their new collaborative edition of Swensen’s 2012 poetry collection Gravesend (Arcipelago itaca, 2024).

March 21, 2025

Molly Crabapple: Art on the Frontline

JCU welcomed American artist, writer and activist Molly Crabapple for the talk Art and Creativity on the Frontline. The event was part of the Spring 2025 Digital Delights and Disturbances (DDD) lecture series.

March 19, 2025

Juan Gamboa: Redefining Economics Through Art and Environmental Advocacy

Juan Gamboa, originally from Colombia, is a senior at JCU, majoring in Economics and Finance. With a passion for filmmaking and environmental sustainability, Juan plans to make an impact outside of the classroom.

March 14, 2025

The Art of Whistling: JCU Welcomes Elena Somarè

On February 25, 2025, John Cabot University had the pleasure of hosting a concert-lecture in the Aula Magna Regina to showcase the talents of renowned melodic whistler Elena Somarè.

March 14, 2025

JCU Student Leaders Speak at 2025 Edition of EUCA Conference

Three JCU students, Martina Atanasova, Skyla Katenga and Martina Oliveto, and Residence Director Marica Loffreda participated in the third edition of the Student Leadership Bootcamp, hosted by the European University and College Association (EUCA).

March 13, 2025

Advocacy for Future Generations: Professor Clough Marinaro and Green Criminology

Professor Isabella Clough Marinaro seeks to motivate students enrolled in her Green Criminology class to see that advocating for the environment is ultimately about fostering community, peace and social justice.

March 03, 2025

The Beauty of New Experiences: Meet Communications Major Bronte Delmonico

Bronte Delmonico is a Communications major at JCU. Originally from Raleigh, North Carolina, she is the president of Women’s Leadership Initiative.

February 27, 2025

Let’s Get REAL: Meet Communications Professor Adele Tulli

Adele Tulli is a newly appointed professor of the Communications and Media Studies department. Her short and feature films, all focusing on contemporary issues, have been screened at several international festivals. Her latest feature documentary, REAL (2024), deals with the extreme digitalization of our daily lives.

February 26, 2025

Meet MA in Art History Alumna Elizabeth Asenas

Elizabeth Asenas, who hails from California, graduated from JCU with an MA in Art History in 2020. Her time in Rome sparked her interest in Manuscript Studies. Today, Elizabeth is a researcher specializing in the study of Italian Giant Bible manuscripts.

February 25, 2025

The Gift of Giving Back: Professor Rodrigo Salcedo Du Bois and Environmental Economics

Professor Rodrigo Salcedo Du Bois teaches Environmental Economics with the belief that no action is small enough when it comes to building a better world.

February 24, 2025

Nothing Better: Meet International Affairs Major Kayla Muller

Kayla Muller is an International Affairs major from Bend, Oregon. She is the editor-in-chief of the JCU student-run newspaper, The Matthew, and is the first RA representative for Student Government.

February 12, 2025

Beyond the Great Wall with China Historian John Delury

A historian of modern China and expert on East Asia, Professor John Delury focuses on US-China relations and the Korean peninsula. In 2023, he was selected as the inaugural Tsao Family Prize Fellow at the American Academy in Rome, where he explored China’s vision of empire. He recently published the article “Can South Korea’s Democracy Survive?” in Foreign Affairs.

February 10, 2025

Environmental Archaeology and Paleoclimatology: Discovering Connections Between Past, Present, and Future

In his classes, JCU Professor Jens Koehler analyzes how humans have been impacted the environment and the climate since prehistoric times.

February 10, 2025

Alumna Cecilia Palmeri to Release Documentary on Ocean Viking Rescue Mission

JCU Communications alumna and recently appointed lecturer Cecilia Palmeri traveled for two weeks on the Ocean Viking, a Norwegian humanitarian ship chartered by the SOS Méditerranée organization for the rescue of life at sea in the Mediterranean. While on board, Cecilia documented the crew’s humanitarian work through photo and video content, which she is currently editing into an upcoming documentary.

February 10, 2025

Alumna Tatyana Kalaydjian Serraino Explores Loss and Sorrow in her Book, Love, Heartbreak, & Tragedy in Art

Alumna Tatyana Kalaydjian Serraino (Class of 2019) has recently published her first book, Love, Heartbreak, and Tragedy in Art (2024). Based in London, Tatyana is the founder of About Art by Tatyana, a social media channel with close to half a million followers that makes art history accessible through YouTube documentaries, TikTok videos, and her online blog.

February 04, 2025

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.

February 04, 2025

Through the Lens of Photography: Professor Federica Valabrega

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. Currently a professor of photojournalism at JCU, Valabrega inspires students to explore the emotional depth of images and continues to work on personal projects addressing environmental and social issues.

February 02, 2025

Let Your Light Shine: Meet Political Science Major Skyla Katenga

Skyla is a Malawian-South African senior student majoring in Political Science with a minor in Legal Studies. At JCU, she is the president of the Black and African Student Association (BASA), which has several events in store for Black History Month in February.

January 29, 2025

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.

January 27, 2025

Professor Della Ratta’s GEN_ Premieres at Sundance Film Festival

Communications and Media Studies Professor Donatella Della Ratta’s latest project, the movie GEN_, premiered at the Sundance Film Festival. Co-authored with director Gianluca Matarrese, the documentary stems from Della Ratta’s research on hormonal treatments at a public hospital in Milan.

January 21, 2025

The Power of Connection: Meet Alumna Danah Alkhafaji

Danah Alkhafaji is an Arab American alumna who graduated from JCU in 2024 with a BA in Humanistic Studies and a minor in Philosophy. While she was a student at JCU, Danah founded the Arab Student Association (ASA).

January 15, 2025

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.

January 09, 2025

A Minimalist Life: Meet Study Abroad Student Thao Nguyen

Thao Nguyen, originally from 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.

January 07, 2025

Alumnus Francesco De Luca Passes Selection Process to Become Italian Diplomat

Francesco De Luca, class of 2018, has recently passed the exam to begin a career as an Italian diplomat. The exam will allow him to work in Italian embassies abroad and at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Rome.