The Ignatian Center for Jesuit Education

The Ignatian Center exemplifies and activates the Jesuit, Catholic character of Santa Clara University.
We encourage our students, faculty, staff, and community to embrace Jesuit wisdom by inspiring awareness, thought, reflection, discernment, and action.

OUR MISSION

OUR PROGRAMS

Involvement Opportunities

STUDENTS

FACULTY

STAFF

Making an Impact - Here, There, and Everywhere

STUDENT FELLOWS

160

VIRTUAL IMMERSION PARTICIPANTS

1025

STUDENTS PLACED WITH COMMUNITY PARTNERS

3800+

UNIVERSITY-COMMUNITY HOURS OF ENGAGEMENT

Stories of Impact

Reflections of a Natural Born Volunteer

Ever since she was a child volunteering with her mother, Catherine Nguyen '20 has given her time to help others. She continued to volunteer as a Thriving Neighbors Fellow while at SCU. Even now, working in the corporate world, she has found ways to give to those in need.

College Dreams Coming True

When the Ignatian Center launched Thriving Neighbors in 2013, the goal was to help ensure that all children from San Jose's Greater Washington neighborhood finish high school prepared for post-secondary education. Today, that vision is coming to fruition.

Practicing Gratitude & Finding Joy

As part of her fellowship working with the Northern California Innocence Project this past quarter, Alexis Takagi '22 led the creation of a podcast about the organization's work of challenging wrongful convictions which aired on National Public Radio (NPR).

Feeling Connected from a Distance

This past Winter Quarter, Ignatian Fellow Afton Burrell '21 completed her fellowship working with A Step Ahead Foundation. Afton shares how the virtual aspect of her fellowship provided surprisingly intimate and direct connection with the community.

Meet the Vice President

With nearly 20 years in leadership at Catholic institutions, Alison M. Benders brings extensive experience in long-term visioning, strategic planning, and organizational change management.

Meet the VP