Seton Hall Students Put Catholic Mission into Action at Refugee and Migrant Conference

Five Seton Hall University students will present their scholarship at Solidarity in Action: A Conference on the Dignity of Refugees and Migrants on April 25, 2026, at The Center at Mariandale, Dominican Sisters of Hope in commemoration of St. Catherine of Siena.

Bringing together both faculty and student presenters, this scholarly conference will focus on solidarity with refugees and migrants, while also exploring the many interconnected issues related to climate justice and care for creation. These themes reflect Seton Hall’s Catholic mission and echo the words of Pope Leo XIV, who said during the Palm Sunday Angelus address on March 29: “Let us also pray for all the migrants who have died at sea, especially those who lost their lives in recent days off the coast of Crete.”

Through a keynote address, a panel of grassroots refugee advocates and concurrent sessions, the conference will examine the ethical responsibilities of U.S. citizens toward undocumented persons, asylum seekers and all those affected by forced migration. It will also highlight the Catholic Church’s clear and consistent call to uphold the dignity of refugees and migrants, especially those facing displacement and deportation.

Seton Hall students will present on the following topics (in the order they are presenting):

• “CST in Dialogue with Coptic Christians,” Alexander Marinelli, Religion major.
• “Through the Eyes of Mother Cabrini: Immigration, Incarnation and the Catholic Call to Service,” Kayhlynn Dickey, Theology major and Catholic Studies minor
• “Racialized Humanitarianism and the Politics of Congolese Refugee Representation,” Mia Belmar, Psychology major.
• “Faith-Based Solidarity and Refugee Support: The Case of JRS in South Sudan,” Valerie Melo, Criminal Justice major and Social Work minor.
• “Between Here and Home: Student Voices on Faith, Migration and Responsibility Across Borders,” Nancy Kajo, Political Science and Catholic Studies double major.

Together, these student papers offer powerful evidence of how Seton Hall students are living out the University’s Catholic mission through scholarship grounded in human dignity, solidarity, compassion and a commitment to serving the most vulnerable.

Special thanks to the Office of Mission and Ministry and the College of Arts and Sciences for supporting our students.

Categories: Faith and Service