Foreign-language courses have always been focused on communication; two Saint Joseph’s faculty members are taking this one step further with their newly developed Language for Professions curriculum. 

“There is a growing trend in language education that prioritizes practical, profession-specific language skills over general language studies,” says Enrique Téllez-Espiga, PhD, associate professor of Spanish. 

Both he and Professor Kristin L. Burr, PhD, are committed to keeping SJU students ahead of the curve with courses like Spanish for Health Professions, Economic and Business French, and French for Healthcare. The two explain that this approach provides students with a specialized focus on language skills and cultural competencies, which are tailored to their respective areas of study.

Cultural competency, Burr and Téllez-Espiga explain, includes items as simple as greetings — what is polite and expected varies from one country to the next — and what subjects may be taboo. Burr says her students studied different negotiating styles and expectations in one of her courses. 

“Americans negotiate differently from the French, who negotiate differently from the Cameroonians,” Burr says. “Sensitivity to such cultural differences is critical to be effective in a professional setting. That is why employers often seek candidates who speak more than one language. Multilingualism helps students build deeper connections and expand their perspective."

Burr recalls working at an African Health Promoter clinic where patients from Francophone countries in Africa were asked if they preferred to speak with providers in English or in French with the assistance of an interpreter. 

“Even patients who knew some English often chose to speak in French, with an interpreter mediating,” says Burr. “They felt more comfortable expressing themselves in the language they had spoken in their home country and voiced their gratitude for this possibility.” 

This, both Burr and Téllez-Espiga agree, shows the importance of this curriculum.

“Language proficiency offers much more than just the ability to translate words,” says Téllez-Espiga. “It's a real asset in a global economy.”

This year’s 2024 Major League Baseball Draft changed the lives of four Saint Joseph’s baseball players who were drafted to join MLB organizations — a University record for a single draft. The following student-athletes join 33 previous Hawks who have also heard their names called on draft day. 

• Outfielder Ryan Cesarini, BS ’25: Cleveland Guardians 
• Pitcher Luke Gabrysh, BS ’25: Philadelphia Phillies 
• Pitcher Matt McShane, BS ’25: Pittsburgh Pirates 
• Outfielder Ryan Picollo, BA ’24: Seattle Mariners 

SJU News spoke with the four draftees to get insight on why they chose to play baseball, who inspires them and what they look forward to in professional baseball.

What or who inspired you to play baseball? 

Picollo: My dad. He's worked in baseball my whole life with the Atlanta Braves and now with the Kansas City Royals. He introduced me to the game and, just growing up around it, I think that was a big inspiration for me to keep playing and wanting to do this professionally.

As a student, how have you balanced academics with baseball? 

Gabrysh: Having the resources of the study halls, the academic tutors and Coach [Fritz] Hamburg were big; they really pushed us to try our best in the classroom. Having an education, taking advantage of what St. Joe's provides for us and being a student first is something that they really push [at St. Joe’s]. 

Being drafted to the Major Leagues is a huge accomplishment! What were your feelings/reactions when you were drafted? 

McShane: Once my name got called, it was one of the moments that I'll never forget, and being able to share that moment with my family was really awesome. Then not long after, hearing the rest of the guys’ names called might have been even cooler than hearing my own name called. If you told me when I was a kid that I'd even be in this position, I’d probably tell you I wouldn't believe it. To have this opportunity to play for the Pirates is really awesome. 

How did SJU prepare you for the MLB? 

Picollo: St. Joe's has a history of not over-recruiting like most colleges or bigger schools, so you have a better opportunity to play every day and get on the field. Getting to the next step of playing professional baseball is getting in as many reps or swings, at-bats and innings as you can; gaining experience is what really matters. 

What are you most looking forward to in the MLB? 

Cesarini: I’d say the biggest thing I’m looking forward to is getting to branch out and meet new people from around the country and internationally. From what I've seen so far, there are a lot of players from Latin American countries like the Dominican Republic or Venezuela. It’s a cool experience where they're trying to learn English, and a lot of the English-speaking guys are trying to learn Spanish. So that's also something that'll be cool to see if I could pick up on and better my Spanish. 

What advice would you give future SJU baseball players looking to enter the MLB Draft? 

McShane: My first advice would be to work as hard as you can and trust that process of, if you put the work in, good things will happen. And my second piece of advice is: You have to have fun. If you're too worried or stressed about the next step and not living, just live in the present, enjoy where you're at, enjoy playing with the guys you're playing with and just let it happen. I have so many great memories playing with the team that it all just kind of happened naturally. Having fun and working hard all paid off in the end.

This spring, Saint Joseph’s nursing students participated in simulations that addressed complex healthcare scenarios, from financial abuse to understanding psychiatric disabilities. These innovative training opportunities, which took place in the University’s 20,000-square foot Center for Excellence in Practice, underscore the University’s commitment to preparing the next generation of healthcare leaders, innovators and caregivers. 

“These simulations enhance our students’ education by providing experiential learning beyond the classroom,” says Kristen Zulkosky, PhD, clinical professor of graduate nursing and director of the Center for Excellence in Practice. 

In early April, students took part in a simulated home health assessment involving an older couple, during which they witnessed a scenario of financial abuse by the couples' daughter. This interactive learning experience taught students about the multifaceted role of healthcare professionals and the importance of caring for the whole individual.

“You are the patient’s advocate,” says Zulkosky. “Even if someone has power of attorney, as a healthcare provider, you must speak up, notify your supervisor and ensure you don’t walk away without addressing the situation.”

Later in April, students engaged in a mental health simulation to increase their understanding of psychiatric disabilities and gain empathy for those who struggle with them. Participants wore earbuds that played distressing voices while completing mock tasks, simulating the experience of someone living with schizophrenia. 

“It puts our students in someone else's shoes,” says Nicholai Best, simulation operations manager. “When they encounter patients like these in real life, it helps them realize the motivation behind their behaviors.”

It was a record-breaking year for Saint Joseph’s University’s athletics teams and student-athletes. Take a look at some of the Hawks’ top moments from the past academic year. For the latest Hawk headlines, visit sjuhaws.com.

Field Hockey Claims A-10 Championship Once Again!

The 15th-ranked and top-seeded Saint Joseph's field hockey team rolled past fourth-seeded La Salle, 4-0, in the Atlantic 10 semifinals, advancing to its eighth consecutive Atlantic 10 title game. The Atlantic 10 Championship game was a true nail-biter, but a third-quarter goal by Hailey Bitters, MHA ’24, put the Hawks up 2-1 for a win over UMass! The win gave the Hawks their third consecutive A-10 crown and their sixth in the past seven seasons. 

Headliners

• Katy Benton, BS ’23, MBA ’25, Alison Buffington, BS ’26, and Kate Crist, BS ’26: Named Academic All District At-Large honorees by College Sports Communicators
• Katy Benton, BS ’23, MBA ’25, Sol Borensztein, BS ’25, Manu Ghigliotti, BA ’24, MBA ’26, and Lily Santi, BS ’24, EdD ’26: Named to the National Field Hockey Coaches Association All-Mid-Atlantic Region First and Second Teams
• Sol Borensztein, BS ’25, Kate Crist, BS '26, Manu Ghigliotti, BA ’24, MBA ’26, and Lily Santi, BS ’24, EdD ’26: Tabbed for the 2024 Atlantic 10 Preseason All-Conference Team
• Alison Buffington, BS '26: Named a Scholar of Distinction by the National Field Hockey Coaches Association for the second year in a row
• Manu Ghigliotti, BA ’24, MBA '26: Fourth Hawk in history to be named a First Team All-American

Philadelphia Hot Shots!

Men’s Basketball

The men’s basketball's Big 5 Classic journey was one for the books as the Saint Joseph’s championship banner was raised to the rafters of the Wells Fargo Center, giving the Hawks their 21st Big 5 crown in program history. In their regular-season finale, the Hawks defeated Davidson, capping the regular season tied for seventh place. The Hawks began their quest for the 2024 Atlantic 10 championship, facing George Mason in the second round. Cameron Brown, BS '23, MBA ’25, scored a team-high 16 points as the Hawks held off the Patriots, 64-57. With the victory, Saint Joseph's advanced to face top seed Richmond in the quarterfinals of the A-10 Championship. Led by a game-high 30 points from Erik Reynolds II, BS '26, the Hawks downed Richmond, 66-61. 

Saint Joseph's run came to an end as the Hawks were held off by VCU, 66-60, in the semifinals. The men’s team went on to the 2024 National Invitation Tournament, facing Seton Hall in the first round, where its historic season was ended. Saint Joseph’s capped the 2023-24 season with its most wins (21) since 2015-16 (28) and first postseason appearance since 2015-16.

Headliners

• Xzayvier Brown, BS ’27: Recognized as both the Atlantic 10 and Big 5 Rookie of the Year, and All-Big 5 Second Team selection
• Rasheer Fleming, BS ’26: Named an All-Big 5 Honorable Mention
• Erik Reynolds II, BS ’25: Named to the Atlantic 10 and All-Big 5 First Team and Big 5 Top Free Throw Shooter

Women’s Basketball

Guided by Big 5 Coach of the Year Cindy Griffin, BA ’91, MBA ’93, the Hawks swept the city as well, going 4-0 in Big 5 play for the first time since 2013-14. St. Joe's finished a stellar regular season with 26 wins. Advancing to the second round in the postseason for the first time since the 2017-18 season, St. Joe’s downed Cal in a thrilling 63-61 road victory, earning their 27th win of the year and surpassing the 1996-97 squad that finished 26-5. Saint Joseph's historic season came to a close in the Women's Basketball Invitation Tournament (WBIT) quarterfinals, but not before setting a new program record for wins in a season with 28.

Headliners

• Talya Brugler, BS ‘24, MS '26: Named Top Free Throw Shooter in the Big 5, earned Second Team All-Atlantic 10, earned Ann Meyers Drysdale Player of the Year Watch List and earned second consecutive First Team All-Big 5 Honor
• Cindy Griffin, BA ’91, ’93 (MBA): Named Big 5 Coach of the Year
• Mackenzie Smith, BS ’26: Received Second Team Atlantic 10 All-Conference and All-Big 5 honors
• Chloe Welch, MS ’24, MBA ’26: Earned All-Big 5 Honorable Mention
• Laura Ziegler, BS ‘26: Received First Team All-Atlantic 10 and All-Big 5 honors and named to Atlantic 10 All-Defensive Team

Women’s Rowing Glides to the Henley Women’s Regatta 

Women’s rowing qualified for the 2024 Henley Women’s Regatta this year, advancing to the quarterfinals where the Hawks were bested by less than five seconds by London University. Saint Joseph’s appearance was the farthest the Hawks have advanced in this prestigious event. Leading up to the regatta, St. Joe’s Varsity 4 captured the silver medal as the team capped their season at the 2024 Atlantic 10 Championship. The Hawks’ 2nd Varsity 8 closed the championship with an open-water first place finish in the Petite Final, and Varsity 8 finished sixth in the Grand Final.

Headliners

• Hawks' Varsity 4 Molly Hoffman, BS ’27, Kayla Menshon, BS ’26, Ella Pittenger, BS ’27, Cecilia Sarnowski, BS ’26 (coxswain), and Shannon Travers, BS ’27: Named Atlantic 10 Women's Rowing Boat of The Week
• Farah Konschak, BS ’25: Selected to the Atlantic 10 All-Conference Second Team
• Riley McDade, BA ’24: Named to the Atlantic 10 All-Conference First Team 

Men’s Lacrosse Nabs Second A-10 Championship

The men’s lacrosse team took down No. 18 Richmond, 17-13, in the Atlantic 10 Championship in May, marking the Hawks’ second men’s conference championship in SJU history. Saint Joseph’s advanced to the first round of the NCAA Tournament against No. 5 Virginia, where it was defeated 17-11, closing out their 12th consecutive win — the nation’s longest winning streak. This was the team’s second NCAA tournament since 2022.

Headliners

• Levi Anderson, BS '22, MBA, '24: United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association (USILA) All-American Honorable Mention
• Matt Bohmer, BS '23, MS '24: Named to the Philly-SIDA Academic All-Area Men's Lacrosse Team
• Patrick Clemens, BS ’23, MS ’25: Named to the rosters of the USILA Senior All-Star Game and the Philly-SIDA Academic All-Area Men's Lacrosse Team
• Alex Keener, BS ’24, MS ’26: Named to the rosters of the USILA Senior All-Star Game 
• Carter Page, BS '24: Named USILA Scholar All-American
• Levi Verch, BS ’24: Three All-American honorable mentions; named to the Philly-SIDA Academic All-Area Men's Lacrosse Team

Want to catch up on this year’s sports successes?