Office of Mission Programs

Office of Mission Programs

Freshman PSIP

Program Information

PSIP, Philadelphia Service Immersion Program, is a four day optional early move-in experience. Students participate in community service, explore historic and cultural destinations in the Philadelphia area, and foster a community amongst your peers rooted in the Jesuit mission of being with and for others.

Its goal is to introduce incoming freshmen, and now sophomores, immediately and intensely to our Jesuit values of social justice, service to those on the margin, moral discernment, and intellectual inquiry. The program is very holistic in design, including intellectual, service, and cultural components.

Participant applications for first-year students can be accessed here.

Meet the Team

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  Valerie McLaughlin '25 (she/her)

 Student Director for First-Year PSIP

Hometown: Harleysville, PA
Majors: Psychology
Minors: Art

 Hey hawks! My name is Valerie McLaughlin and I am overjoyed to be directing First Year PSIP this year! I am a senior Psychology major from Harleysville, PA with a minor in Art. I am also a memebr and cantor in the SJU Chapel Choir, and lead the Women's CLC where we reflect on feminist faith and spirituality! I love being involved in Art Club, and spend most of my free time painting in the campus art studio. Social justice, service, and community building are some of my greatest passions in life, so PSIP is my favorite program at St. Joes because it is such an incredible blend of all three. I am so excited for PSIP 2024!
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  Dennis  Dougherty '25 (he/him)

 Student Coordinator for First-Year PSIP

Hometown:   Drexel Hill, PA
Majors:   Finance, Risk Management Insurance
Minors:   Economics

  Hey everyone!! My name is Dennis and I am a rising senior from Drexel Hill, PA. (Go Birds!) I am a Finance and Risk Management Insurance double major. Since my arrival on campus, I have had involvement with PSIP at the beginning of every school year, both as a participant and a leader. I find myself being drawn back to PSIP because of the awesome opportunity it provides to connect with my SJU and greater Philadelphia communities! I find PSIP to be the best way to start out the year because I get to learn from both of these communities by taking part in an interactive service experience along with a series of fun and relaxing bonding experiences. I have also been involved in programs such as Weekly Service, the Dean’s Leadership Program, the Honors College, and the risk management and insurance fraternity, Gamma Iota Sigma. So excited to begin a great year!!
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  Sophia Kosty '25 (she/they)

 Student Coordinator for First-Year PSIP

Hometown:   Somerset, NJ
Majors:   Accounting, Food Marketing
 

  Hey y’all! My name is Sophia, and I am from Somerset, NJ. I am an accounting and food marketing major. On Hawk Hill, I am co-treasurer of Women’s Leadership Initiative, a brother of the national honors fraternity Phi Sigma Pi, and a member of the Dean’s Leadership Program. I also participated in the Appalachian Experience and Weekly Service. I love to travel and read when I can. I was a PSIP 2.0 leader last year, and I am excited for all the new adventures to come. PSIP is my favorite way to start off the Fall semester and make friends
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  Rachel Bacon '25 (she/her)

 Student Leader for First-Year PSIP

Hometown:   Ocean City, NJ
Majors:   Early Education and Special Education
Minors:   Art Therapy

  Hi everyone!! My name is Rachel Bacon and I am a rising senior from Ocean City, NJ! I am an early and special education major with a minor in art therapy. On campus I am involved in Phi Sigma Pi, APEX, and I am currently president of the Student Council for Exceptional Children. I also love music, concerts, painting, and going to the beach! I am looking forward to leading PSIP again this year, because it is such a great way to immerse ourselves in the surrounding community and learn about Saint Joes’ values! I cant wait to meet you all!!!
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   Clare Bentley '27 (she/her)

  Student Leader for First-Year PSIP

Hometown:    Seattle, WA
Majors:    Food Marketing
Minors:    Art

   Hi everyone! My name is Clare Bentley and I am a sophomore from Seattle, Washington. I am a Food Marketing major with a minor in Art. On campus I am a sister of Alpha Sigma Tau and I was an APEX 2024 participant. I love to travel, spend time with friends and family, craft, and go to concerts. I did PSIP 2023 which was the best way to be welcomed into the SJU community. I am so excited to welcome you all to campus and to start the year with some fun memories!
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   Nathaniel Cannizzo '25 (he/him)

  Student Leader for First-Year PSIP

Hometown:    Cranford, NJ
Majors:    Math Education

   Hey! My name is Nate Cannizzo, I am a rising senior from Cranford, NJ. I study math education and am involved with Phi Sigma Pi and 54th & Airborne. I love to go on hikes and runs, and also enjoy photography and listening to music. I did PSIP as a freshman and was a leader last year and love the PSIP community! It is a great experience and I am excited to continue it this year!
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   Aidan Driscoll '25 (he/him)

  Student Leader for First-Year PSIP

Hometown:    Wrentham, MA
Majors:    Communications
Majors:    Sports Marketing

   Hi everyone!!! My name is Aidan Driscoll and I am a rising senior studying Communications and Sports Marketing. Some of my on campus involvement includes:
Phi Sigma Pi, 54th & Airborne Vice President, APEX, and Sports Marketing Club. I love being outside (especially going on hikes with my dog), traveling, going to concerts or sporting events, and hanging out with my friends and family. I participated in first year PSIP and PSIP 2.0, and was lucky enough to lead PSIP 2.0 last summer. This year I am very excited to help lead first year PSIP and welcome you all onto campus!!!
barbelin hall at saint joseph's university with the sun setting behind it

   Anna Drudy '26 (she/her)

  Student Leader for First-Year PSIP

Hometown:    Spring Lake, NJ
Majors:    Health Science and Public Policy
Minors:    Autism Studies

   hey everyone!! my name is anna drudy and i am a junior from spring lake, NJ! I study health science and public policy with a minor in autism studies ! on campus, i am a tour guide and Kinney SCHOLAR, and am involved in the irish dance club, pre-med society, APEX, and APO! i love the beach, going on runs around campus, and exploring the city with friends! I had so much fun as a PSIP participant my freshman year and I found it to be a great way to build community with sju and philly as a whole! super excited for psip 2024!!
barbelin hall at saint joseph's university with the sun setting behind it

   Brendan Gallagher '25 (he/him)

  Student Leader for First-Year PSIP

Hometown:    Thorndale, PA
Majors:    Food Marketing
Minors:    Business Intelligence and Analytics

   Hey everyone my name is Brendan Gallagher and I am a rising senior Food Marketing major and Business Intelligence and Analytics minor! Around campus I am involved in Delta Sigma Pi, the Gaelic Football team, APEX, and I also work at Saxbys! I love photography, music, and being outside especially golfing. Since participating in PSIP in my freshman year I have always had a love for it and have wanted to give back to the program that shaped my college experience. I am super excited for this year’s upcoming PSIP and cannot wait to foster a welcoming environment for the incoming first year students. 
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   Nora Higley '27 (she/her)

  Student Leader for First-Year PSIP

Hometown:    Wilmington, DE
Majors:    Exercise Physiology   

   Hi everyone! My name is Nora Higley and I am a sophomore from Wilmington, Delaware with a major in Exercise Physiology. On campus, I am involved in Hawk Hub and I participated in PSIP as an incoming freshman last year. Outside of school, I enjoy running, going on sunset walks with my friends, and going to the beach with my family. I am very excited to be a first year leader this year given that my participation in PSIP has had such a big impact on my college experience so far! Through service, PSIP not only connected me with the SJU community, but with the Philadelphia community as a whole. I can confidently say that PSIP provided me with the best introduction to campus and life here at SJU and helped me feel right at home. I am so excited to be a 2024 PSIP leader! 
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   Timothy  McGoldrick '25 (he/him)

  Student Leader for First-Year PSIP

Hometown:   Williamstown, NJ 
Majors:    Criminal Justice
Minors:   Public Policy, Political Science

 Hi everyone! My name is Tim McGoldrick and I am a junior from Williamstown New Jersey, about 40 minutes outside of Philadelphia.  I am a criminal justice major with minors in political science and public policy. Other than my involvement in PSIP, I am Service Chair of Phi Sigma Pi, a tutor with the Office of Learning Resources, a referree for ResLife and am a 2-year Apex participant. I participated in PSIP 2.0 my sophomore year and this will be my second year as a first-year PSIP leader.  I am super excited for this year's program and hope that PSIP can have the same great impact it had on you as it did on me!
barbelin hall at saint joseph's university with the sun setting behind it

    Cora Moeller '27 (she/her)

   Student Leader for First-Year PSIP

Hometown:    Drexel Hill, PA
Majors:     English and Sociology
Minors:    Faith Justice

   Hi everyone!! My name is Cora Moeller, and I am an English/Sociology major on track to get a Masters in Social Work! I am involved in a few things on campus such as the community garden, service learning, and Phi Sigma Pi–but PSIP was the first program that I joined and it has such a special place in my heart. It was my first introduction to campus but also to real community service, so I am beyond thrilled to lead a group of new students and see all of the connections that they form. I am an avid reader and have 5 cats, so I am always up to talking about book recs and sharing pictures of pets. I am so excited to meet everyone. Peace, love, PSIP!!!!!!
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    Evelyn Nguyen '27 (she/her)

   Student Leader for First-Year PSIP

Hometown:    Reading, PA
Majors:     Computer Science
Minors:    

    Hello! My name is Evelyn Nguyen, and I am a sophomore computer science major at SJU. On campus, I am a member of the Chapel Band, Art Club, and the Asian Student Association. I love to draw, read, and eat new food! During the summer of 2023, I had the opportunity to serve in PSIP. It was an amazing experience that improved my understanding of community and service. I am so excited to participate in PSIP with all of you!
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    Zoe Perella '25 (she/her)

   Student Leader for First-Year PSIP

Hometown:    Reading, PA
Majors:     Health Science
Minors:   Biology, Spanish

    Hi!!! My name is Zoe Perella, I am a senior health science major with minors in biology and Spanish from Reading PA. On campus I am a Peer Minister for Weekly Service, Sharing Excess President, Women's Club Soccer Captain, a member of Alpha Phi and of course, a PSIP leader! I've been participating in weekly service for two years attending Gesu School, participated in APEX 2023 and 2024 and I was a PSIP 2.0 participant my sophomore year as well as a leader last year! I absolutely LOVE PSIP because it is an amazing way to familiarize yourself with Philadelphia and  serve with and for the community that you will be living in. It's also the perfect opportunity to get to know the school and foster real connections with fellow classmates before the upcoming year! Immersion programs like PSIP are so important so that we may understand our community and the social justice issues present by living in solidarity with it. I am so proud of you all for taking the leap and embarking on this new adventure, I can't wait to meet you all!
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    Rebecca  Romito '26 (she/her)

  Student Leader for First-Year PSIP

Hometown:    Cranford, NJ
Majors:     English and Communications 

    Hey everyone! My name is Rebecca Romito and I am a junior from Cranford New Jersey. I am an English and communications double major. On campus I am a member of Alpha Gamma Delta, Phi Sigma Pi, and Tri Alpha. I play club soccer and participate in running club! I also do weekly service, participate in APEX and am a member of CLC. PSIP is such an amazing experience and a great way to start of the school year. I can’t wait to meet everyone!
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    Jenny Simrell '25 (she/her)

  Student Leader for First-Year PSIP

Hometown:    Scranton, PA
Major:     Health Science
Minor:    Biology, Health Care Ethics

    Hi everyone! My name is Jenny Simrell and I am a senior from Scranton, PA! I am a Health Science major with Biology and Health Care Ethics minors. On campus I am involved as a member of the Hawk Host Executive Board, an APEX leader, a brother of Phi Sigma Pi, a member of the Honors Program, a member of Alpha Sigma Nu Jesuit Honor Society, and have led and participated in campus ministry retreats! A fun fact about me is I have been to 46/50 states and this summer my family will be driving acorss the country for the 2nd time! I am so excited to lead PSIP for the 3rd time this year and welcome you all to our amazing campus. Peace, Love, PSIP!!!! 
barbelin hall at saint joseph's university with the sun setting behind it

    Michael Sorochen '25 (he/him)

  Student Leader for First-Year PSIP

Hometown:    West Chester, PA
Majors:  Accounting, Business Intelligence & Analytics

    Hey everyone! My name is Michael Sorochen and I am a senior from West Chester, PA. I am an Accounting and Business Intelligence & Analytics major. On campus, I am the Hawk Mascot, a Men’s Basketball Head Manager, a Hawk Host, a member of Beta Gamma Sigma, Alpha Iota Delta, Omega Rho, and a member of Club Golf. I am excited to lead PSIP for the first time this year! PSIP is a great way to start your time here at St. Joe’s and immerse yourself into our school community. I can’t wait to welcome everyone to Hawk Hill! THWND!
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    Katie Swanson '25 (she/her)

  Student Leader for First-Year PSIP

Hometown:    Lynbrook, NY
Major:     Biology, Health Sciences

    Hey everyone! My name is Katie Swanson, and I am a rising senior Biology and Health Sciences double major. On campus, I have participated in service through Weekly Service, Service-Learning, and APEX (the Appalachian Experience). I'm on the executive boards of Phi Sigma Pi National Honor Fraternity and the women's club basketball team, and I'm also a writing center tutor on campus! I participated in PSIP my freshman year and have been a first-year leader for the past two years! I love PSIP because of the community that is created by the program, with participants and leaders alike getting to know one another while serving the community around us. PSIP is a great way to learn about our community at SJU as well as our community in the greater Philadelphia area, and it allows first year students the chance to fully immerse in their new environment while participating in service, reflection, activities, and more!
barbelin hall at saint joseph's university with the sun setting behind it

    Kylie Tang '26 (she/her)

  Student Leader for First-Year PSIP

Hometown:    Philadelphia, PA
Major:     Human Resources and People Management
Minors:    Industrial and Organizational Psychology

    Hiii! My name is Kylie Tang and I'm a rising junior Human Resources and People Management Major and Industrial and Organizational Psychology Minor from South Philadelphia, PA! I've participated in PSIP the last two years and I'm also involved in APEX, Christian Life Communities, leader and previous participant of First Year Retreats, such as Spark and Ignite, and am a sister and the Director of New Members for Alpha Gamma Delta! I love PSIP because of the immense community I find on campus and in Philadelphia. I’m super excited for PSIP 2024 and to expand such an amazing group of people!
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    Michael Tansey '25 (he/him)

  Student Leader for First-Year PSIP

Hometown:    Newtown Square, PA
Major:     Supply Chain Management, Business Intelligence & Analytics

    Hey everyone! My name is Michael Tansey and I am a rising senior from Newtown Square, PA. I am a Supply Chain Management and Business Intelligence double major. On campus, I am a brother of the Phi Sigma Pi National Honors Fraternity, I worked as a head manager for the men’s basketball team this past year, and participated in PSIP 2.0 last year. My experience as a participant last year has brought me here now as a first year leader and I am very excited to meet everyone and enjoy this amazing program with you all.
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    John Henry  Walters '25 (he/him)

  Student Leader for First-Year PSIP

Hometown:    Albany, NY
Majors:     History 
Minor:    Faith Justice 

    Hi everyone! My name is John Henry and I am a rising senior history major from Albany NY. On campus I am the President of 54th & Airborne, a service scholar, a member of Phi Sigma Pi and a participant in APEX. PSIP is such a special experience that has played a huge role during my time at SJU. I am so excited you decided to join and can't wait to meet you all!!