Kerry Shortell, M.A./M.S.W., '24
As I was wrapping up my year of service with the Jesuit Volunteer Corps and anticipating the start of my graduate studies, I felt enormous relief as I realized the extent of the supports offered to students in the form of scholarships and graduate assistantships. Committing to two degrees over three years in a new city is no small thing, so to have the opportunity to do so with one less source of anxiety affirmed that I truly was making the right choice to attend the CSTM at this point in my life. Since then, I have been able to wholeheartedly opt into the social, academic, and spiritual life here through my GAship in Admissions, courses that ignited my theological curiosity, and other formative spaces—and of course, to have a life outside of school, too!
Luis Melgar, M.Div., '23
I am incredibly grateful for the generous support I have received from CSTM. As a prospective student, while my heart was ready to invest time and energy into the pursuit of theological education I needed to tend to practical matters such as tuition, Boston cost of living, and discretionary funds for self-care and leisure. I was (and continue to be) sensitive to financial matters and, as a first-generation college student with higher financial needs, I appreciated the support and transparency from the CSTM's admissions team and the honest conversations with current students throughout my discernment process. The personalized financial plans co-created with the admissions team, the collective wisdom of CSTM students – past and present – and the support searching for graduate assistantships and employment opportunities made investing in my education possible and clarified my "Why" for doing ministry in the first place.
Without a doubt, the scholarships offered through CSTM and the graduate assistantship offerings made the CSTM "work" for me. My assistantships over the years have prepared me with practical skills for various aspects of ministry – namely administration and teaching – while also empowering me to discover how I want to use my gifts and passion for and with others. I leave the CSTM assured that this investment has paid dividends as a student and will continue to pay dividends in my future role(s) serving others and the Church.
Katie Ward, M.T.S. '23
At the CSTM, I was able to present at conferences through CSTM conference funding where I deepened my theological education, connected with other scholars, and developed new knowledge and skills. My favorite experience through CSTM funding was traveling to Vancouver, Canada to present at the Pope Francis & the Future of the Church Conference at the University of British Columbia. At the conference, I was able to learn from international scholars about the impact of Pope Francis’ pontificate and envision the future of the Church from diverse perspectives. It was a great opportunity to share research from my directed readings course at the CSTM about the Catholic Church and Indigenous peoples in the United States and Canada, and I was able to meet many individuals who shared their insights and wisdom with me. Conferences have been wonderful to take what I learned in the classroom, reflect on it in light of my prior research and experience, and share that with different communities for feedback and growth. These have been truly unique experiences that have greatly impacted my CSTM experience and my professional trajectory, and I am very grateful for the generous support of the CSTM in supporting conference funding!