91直播 and Manor College are entering a new partnership that will open doors for Blue Jays to receive an advanced degree as Explorers.  

Students from Manor College who have earned an undergraduate degree with a 3.0-plus grade point average (GPA) are guaranteed admission to La 91直播’s Master of Business Administration (MBA) program and will receive a 20% tuition discount toward their master’s degree. In addition to the MBA program, students can choose to enroll in a variety of other graduate programs at La 91直播 including Artificial Intelligence, Education, Professional Clinical Counseling, Public Health, and Social Work.  

Manor students will also benefit from a streamlined admissions process and a clear pathway toward their La 91直播 master鈥檚 degree from the moment they enroll as a Blue Jay. 

Officials from 91直播 and Manor College came together in the Basileaid Manor Library on Oct. 14, 2026 for an official signing event to celebrate the partnership.  

“This new partnership with Manor College puts our students’ wants and needs at the forefront,” said Lisa Jarvinen, Ph.D., 91直播’s Interim Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs. “By providing a simple and direct pathway to earning a Master of Business Administration degree at La 91直播 following graduation from Manor, students can optimize their learning experience and quickly enter the workforce with an advanced degree. At La 91直播, we are focused on equipping our students with the real-world skills and knowledge necessary to find success in their chosen field. This partnership aligns with those goals and allows our institutions to prepare graduates who exceed many of their peers in the world of business.” 

Manor graduates who take advantage of this opportunity will benefit from earning advanced degree credentials from La 91直播 with financial assistance.  

鈥淎 significant part of the Manor College Mission Statement indicates, 鈥榳e embrace the Basilian tradition of service,鈥� and this partnership with 91直播 presents Manor College students a pathway to bring our Mission Statement to life,鈥� said Joseph E. Gillespie, Ed.D., Manor College鈥檚 Provost. 鈥淏y providing opportunities for students graduating from Manor College to continue their education and earn professional degrees in service-oriented fields so integral to society鈥揻ields such as education, social work, counseling, and public health鈥搃s exciting as we strive to build a compassionate and caring society.鈥�  

Established in 1955, 91直播鈥檚 School of Business provides a dynamic, student-centered education delivered through in-person, online, and hybrid formats. Grounded in a commitment to do purposeful business, the school prepares graduates to lead with integrity, analytical insight, and social responsibility. The School is accredited by AACSB International鈥攁n achievement held by only 6 percent of institutions offering business degrees worldwide. 

La 91直播’s MBA program is offered in full-time or part-time formats, including an accelerated one-year option. Students can tailor their degree with a choice of various specializations, and benefit from a personalized education that blends theory with real-world practice, all rooted in the Lasallian mission. Graduates of La 91直播’s MBA program also see a strong return on investment with a 95% job placement rate after graduation.  

U.S. News & World Report (USNWR) ranked La 91直播’s School of Business in the top 125 nationally for best business schools in 2026.  

About 91直播 

91直播 is a comprehensive Lasallian Catholic university located in Philadelphia. It is rooted in the tradition of the Brothers of the Christian Schools teaching order, founded by St. John Baptist de La 91直播鈥攖he Patron Saint of Teachers. Chartered in 1863 by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, La 91直播 prepares students to become known for more through a practical liberal arts and experiential education. By offering a quality experience; rigorous academics; transferable skills; and exposure to domestic and international partnerships in a safe and caring environment, La 91直播 is propelling learners into leaders. Learn more at . 

About Manor College  

Located in Jenkintown, Pennsylvania, Manor College is a private, Catholic institution rooted in the Ukrainian Catholic tradition that offers career focused associate and bachelor’s degree programs. Through small class sizes and a personalized approach to learning, Manor provides a supportive academic environment that prepares students for meaningful careers and further education. The college is dedicated to fostering character, leadership, and service within a welcoming and diverse community. At Manor College, You Belong Here. Learn more at .

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After a career filled with new opportunities and different paths, Assistant Professor John Taylor, Ph.D., M.Ed., MACC, LPC, believes 91直播’s Public Health Program is an important part of his story.  

鈥淢y life continues to be a great journey,鈥� Taylor said. “I have been myself, and I’ve chosen to take different highways, and it’s been fantastic. I wouldn’t change a thing.”  

After graduating from Fayetteville State University with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, Taylor started his career journey as a correctional officer in North Carolina, a position he took simply because he wanted a job. He continued working in law enforcement-adjacent fields for 20 years, spending time as a domestic violence facilitator and probation officer.  

Taylor relocated to Philadelphia, where he worked as an HIV case manager and served as a mental health therapist at COMHAR, a nonprofit health and human services organization in the city.  

It was while he was in this role that Taylor took his first step into graduate education, earning a master’s degree in Christian Counselling from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary.

This line of study was inspired by Taylor’s law enforcement roles, which led him to believe that if some of the incarcerated individuals had someone to help them before their crimes, they wouldn’t have committed them. His Christian counselling qualification, an integration of theology and psychology, was his way to be that person to help.  

After graduating from Gordon-Conwell, Taylor became a licensed therapist and opened his own private counselling practice where he still sees clients today.  

These clients inspired Taylor’s second stint at graduate school. Many of them came in with questions surrounding their sexuality that Taylor didn’t have answers to or a way to help. His solution was a second master’s degree from Widener University in sexuality education and sexuality studies. In this program, which only accepts 15 people a year, Taylor also had the chance to continue to earn his doctorate degree, gaining both qualifications in six years.  

While Taylor was starting his education at Widener, he was also adding another role to his resume: adjunct professor in the at La 91直播.  

A colleague from Drexel University’s College of Nursing and Health Professions, where Taylor was also an adjunct professor, suggested he come to 20^th and Olney to teach a class. He visited campus, met everyone in the public health department, and the rest was history.   

“They were so welcoming,” Taylor said. “I was so impressed by the tenacity of the faculty, the students’ curiosity in learning and knowing more, and I felt like, yeah, I belong here.”  

 This started many years of adjunct teaching at La 91直播, while Taylor completed his Ph.D. program and continued to see clients. His graduation in 2021 coincided with an opening for a full-time position as public health faculty. Taylor quickly applied and was selected to fill the role.  

Taylor also recently received a secondary appointment at La 91直播. He serves as a faculty fellow in Academic Affairs, where he supports curriculum review processes, cross-school coordination on curriculum-related initiatives, and the academic affairs policy review process.

Although there’s been many different paths throughout his career, there’s been one common thread.  

“All of my work, from correctional officer to all the jobs I’ve had since then, has all been in public health. And now I’m teaching public health, so it’s kind of like it was all meant to be,” Taylor said. “Our journey moves us where we need to be for that time in our lives.” 

These varied life and career experiences are also positives in the classroom, he said, adding that his students love hearing about his journey and how what they’re learning from textbooks can translate to the real-world experiences that he’s had.  

“Helping students recognize some of those moving parts has been very interesting for class and class discussions,” Taylor said. “Because they’re really about bringing in real-world experiences coupled, of course, with the information I share around academics, but really having them connect with the real world to have them do the work around public health.”  

Giving his students everything they need to succeed is a priority for Taylor and is reflected in the way he teaches. 

“Teaching for me is like a performance. You go to any Broadway show, you only have one chance to get it right, so I take my teaching like it’s a performance,” he said. “It is an experience, and it won’t happen again. Yes, we have another class next week, but the class today will never happen again, so it’s important to make sure the class today is the best class possible that day.”  

He shows up every day prepared and ready to bring his best self every day for his students, he said, and described seeing them build confidence from having their thoughts heard, participating in discussions, and having lightbulb moments as “the joy” in his role as an educator. 

Those lightbulb moments with the students are one of the highlights of his time as an Explorer. Taylor loves seeing students come in as freshman and watching their journey evolve throughout their years on campus. He is able to see them grow and change, and serve as an advisor, both academically and with anything else that’s going on in their lives.  

“I love teaching, I think it’s one of the best things I do,” he said. “You get to see people in the next generation take information from here and use it in their lives going forward.”  

As well as being a space for academic information, Taylor also prioritizes making sure his classes learn about balance, ensuring that they are encouraged to have fun as well as learn, something he does in his own life.  

Personally, Taylor is an avid bike rider, cycling between 80 and 100 miles a week, as well as weight training every day.  

“Those things keep me balanced in the work that I do,” he said.  

Transferring this to his academic work, Taylor starts every class with music, a playlist full of different songs and genres for Explorers to listen to as they come in and settle down for the lessons of the day.  

“I tell all my students at the end of class, do something fun, be kind to yourself, and kind to someone else because we are public health and it’s about people,” he said.  

On top of teaching and working with clients, Taylor is also a researcher, with a focus on the impact that structural violence has on the sexual behavior and mental health of Black men, and the host of the podcast My Mortality Matters: The Voices and Lives of Black Men. With the understanding that the lives of Black men have been impacted by racism and discrimination, Taylor is committed and intentional about ensuring that their voices are heard.

Taylor is excited about his most recent publication, titled A Hinderance in Dating: The Impact of Social Anxiety on Black Men and Interpersonal Relationships: A Secondary Data Analysis, coauthored with Professor of Public Health, Daniel Rodriguez, Ph.D., Adam Adeeb, M.A. ’25, and Andrew Godley, MPH ’25. He also has an upcoming article that has been accepted for publication, titled My Hair Sends Simultaneous Messages: A Qualitative Study of Black Men Aged 18-60 with “Locs” Navigating Societal Norms and the Impact on Their Mental Health, co-authored with Andrew Godley, MPH ’25, and Itzel De Leon-Hernandez, ’25.

The idea that public health is about people is a constant throughout Taylor’s work, whether he’s teaching a class or seeing clients in his private practice, and in a field with so many different paths, that’s at the heart of being a successful professional.  

“The thing you have to have, at the core, is a need to help other people. And if that is at your core, and being true to yourself, you will find your lane,” he said. “Public health, to me, is more about being empathetic to those who are vulnerable. Also, recognizing everywhere we go is public health. It’s our air, our train system, our community, so all the things that we are public health.” 

This compassion for others that drives Taylor’s expertise is parallel to the Lasallian values at the University, he said. Combining those values with the opportunities he’s had since joining the faculty, like being involved with the for three years and serving on the faculty executive senate committee for two years, the students, and the hardworking and dedicated colleagues he works alongside, makes La 91直播 a perfect fit.  

“It’s all made my time at La 91直播 from adjunct to now a great journey,” Taylor said. “I’m grateful that I got the opportunity to be here and do what I’m doing.”  

Looking to the future, Taylor will continue to help his clients and his students, showing up for them as his authentic and best self. And, although he’s telling himself there aren’t any more degrees coming his way, as someone who believes in always staying open to new experiences, he can’t make any promises about that.  

“One thing I tell my students is always keep yourself open and curious, and you are likely to find yourself going down different avenues and not getting stuck in life thinking I have this job, I have this degree, I’ve got to stay in this lane,” he said. “That’s not true. There’s so many highways and forks in the road; we can always turn and take them. I’ve taken a lot, and it’s been fun for me.” 

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Growing up in Philadelphia, Kadafi El-Kardah, ’15, always felt connected to the city and in tune with the   environment around him. When it came time for college, he was looking for a place that would enhance that connection.  

“Being from Philadelphia, staying connected to the city was important to me,” he said. “La 91直播 gave me the opportunity to study environmental science while being close to the communities and places that shaped me.”  

Although El-Kardah started his Explorer journey as a biology major, he switched to the Environmental Science Program as a sophomore after deciding he wanted a more interdisciplinary education. As someone who had always been interested in the relationships between people and their environments, the program was a perfect fit.听

The city remained a common theme throughout El-Kardah鈥檚 studies at La 91直播. He described his experience as an Explorer as more than a textbook education; it was an opportunity for hands-on, experiential learning. Field trips to places such as the Jersey-Atlantic Wind Farm and Wissahickon Valley Park, where he and his classmates participated in water quality testing, allowed him to see environmental science in action. Combined with a variety of laboratory experiences, these trips helped him understand how environmental systems work, explore potential career paths, and develop a well-rounded foundation in the field.

“I also became aware of Philadelphia as a living laboratory. The city has environmental challenges everywhere you look: water, flooding, vacant land, trees, transportation, pollution, housing, and access to green space. Those issues aren’t abstract when you’re living here; they’re affecting people’s neighborhoods and everyday lives,” El-Kardah said. “I could learn something in a classroom and then see the real-world version outside. That connection between education and community has stayed with me.”  

He also credits the University and its Environmental Science Program with giving him the tools to understand the relationship between people and places more broadly.  

“La 91直播 taught me the importance of asking questions and thinking critically. Environmental issues aren’t just scientific problems; they are also social, economic, political, and community issues,” he said, adding that his coursework was a blend of natural and social sciences. “You can have the best scientific solution in the world, but if you don’t bring the community along, it may never work. That realization became a major part of my career.”  

After graduating, El-Kardah took the foundation he built at 20^th and Olney, and the appreciation and inclusion of local communities, and entered the workforce. He’s held various environmental- and community-focused roles in and around Philadelphia, including supporting the Philadelphia Water Department through a role at the Pennsylvania Environmental Council, and working as the associate director of community engagement at the Philadelphia Outward Bound School, a nonprofit educational organization.  

Today, El-Kardah works at the Philadelphia Housing Authority coordinating various parts of the Choice Neighborhood Initiative, a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development program that invests in redeveloping government-funded housing, resident outcomes, and neighborhood infrastructure improvements. Additionally, he supports the housing authority in predevelopment work for new construction, redevelopment, and housing acquisitions, ensuring that all the proper environmental approvals are received.  

 He has also served on several boards and advisory committees, including SEPTA鈥檚 Citizen Advisory Committee and the Philly Tree Coalition. His civic leadership has earned him recognition and fellowship opportunities from several organizations, including the Environmental Leadership Program, which named him a Senior Fellow in 2021. 

Throughout his various roles and commitments, there has always been one thing at the heart of El-Kardah’s work.  

“I’ve always been interested and driven by one question,” he said. “How do we make our communities better, and how do we make sure residents have a voice in that process?”  

, El-Kardah’s newest venture, is one way of answering that question.听听

Based in Germantown, Drain Buddies is a stormwater initiative that engages members of the local community to monitor and maintain the storm drains in the neighborhood. They also collect environmental data, reduce litter and pollution, and help to identify concerns, creating a scenario where the residents can protect the waterways in their neighborhood.  

Over 30 drains have been adopted since the program launched in July 2026. El-Kardah encourages participants to name their drain after something they value about Germantown and provides a kit that contains everything necessary for care and maintenance.  

But the program goes beyond just improving the visuals of the neighborhood, El-Kardah noted; it also offers a sustainable solution to some of the environmental problems the neighborhood is facing while uplifting the community. 

“Drain Buddies is about more than a cleanup effort. It’s about creating a relationship between people and the place they call home,” El-Kardah noted. “I’m building a coalition of residents who care, residents who want to make a difference, residents who see themselves as part of the solution.”  

Although the program launched this year, El-Kardah has been working on it much longer. He started noticing several storm drains around the city were not working effectively when it rained, and  that people walk past them every day without a second thought.  

“The biggest thing I’d want people to understand is that you don’t necessarily have to wait for someone else to solve a problem,” he said. “That’s what Drain Buddies represents to me. It started with observing storm drains, but the bigger idea is about helping people see that they have a role in shaping the places they call home.”  

In 2025, he submitted a grant application to the fellowship program to support Drain Buddies. El-Kardah was selected as听one of 20 recipients nationally, and one of only two in Philadelphia, an opportunity that he described as “incredibly meaningful” as it allowed him to implement Drain Buddies on a much larger scale.听

As well as being beneficial to his neighborhood, Drain Buddies also has personal meaning to El-Kardah. It’s an opportunity to combine many of the things he’s cared deeply about throughout his life.  

“I studied environmental science at La 91直播, I worked on environmental issues, I worked with communities, I became involved in city planning and civic engagement,” he said. “Drain Buddies allows me to bring all of those things together around a problem that people can actually see on their own block. That’s what makes it exciting to me.”  

And as Drain Buddies continues to thrive and grow, El-Kardah, who has been named Citizen of the Week by the Philadelphia Citizen, often reflects on the parallels between his new program and his time at 20^th and Olney.   “I think one of the most valuable things La 91直播 gave me is not just an education, but a sense that what I learn should ultimately be used for something beyond myself,” he said. “Drain Buddies feels very Lasallian to me. It brings together knowledge, service, community, and a commitment to the common good.”

-Naomi Thomas

The post Learning in Philadelphia鈥檚 鈥榣iving laboratory鈥� appeared first on 91直播.

Since Alisa Macksey joined the 91直播 community four years ago, she鈥檚 always loved seeing how the students evolve during their time on campus.  

“I am continually inspired by our students,鈥� she said. 鈥淭hey arrive at La 91直播 with diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and aspirations, and they approach their college experience with openness and curiosity. They seek opportunities to learn, lead, serve, and grow. What makes them especially inspiring is their desire to become more than educated professionals; they want to become compassionate leaders, engaged citizens, and individuals who can make meaningful contributions to their communities and the world.” 

Macksey initially joined La 91直播 as the Vice President of Mission, Diversity, and Inclusion in July 2022. In her role, she ensures that La 91直播 is supporting its community through embodying its core values and mission. Throughout her two decades of professional experience, she鈥檚 been greatly connected to the Lasallian mission鈥攆irst as an undergraduate student at Saint Mary鈥檚 College of California and later in various administrative roles at Saint Mary鈥檚 University of Minnesota.  

Beyond La 91直播, she鈥檚 also led representatives from nearly a dozen countries in a part-time role as the inaugural president of the International Council for Association and the Lasallian Educational Mission which focuses on the vitality of the Lasallian mission worldwide. Additionally, she鈥檚 helped University faculty become published in AXIS: Journal of Lasallian Higher Education working as an editor for the publication. 

In late May, Macksey added to her resume when she was named the University鈥檚 Interim Vice President of Student Development & Campus Life alongside her existing leadership role. In September, she was announced as the new Vice President of Campus Life. In this capacity, Macksey continues to bring Student Development and Campus Life and Mission, Diversity, and Inclusion under one umbrella. The La 91直播 community can expect a mission-focused experience incorporated throughout campus life. 

She felt honored that University President Daniel J. Allen, Ph.D., entrusted her with the position that so greatly influences the student experience in and out of the classroom. She plans to build upon the work that鈥檚 been previously done in this division to break down barriers and work collaboratively with campus partners.  

As Macksey looks toward the priorities she wants to pursue in her new role, she plans to coordinate intentionally and purposely with others to strategically organize campus life programming for students.  Rather than simply offering more programs, Macksey hopes to create a more purposeful student experience by ensuring events complement one another, encourage participation, and respond to students鈥� interests and needs.  

Through this work, she wants to encourage Explorers to support each other and rally behind each other. She remembers a group of residential students who attended a women鈥檚 rugby match to cheer on the team and its players who lived in their on-campus housing. That type of camaraderie is something she鈥檚 looking to encourage and create more opportunities for.  

鈥淲hat if we break down some of these silos and have some conversations around, 鈥榟ey, I heard you’re doing this, well, I’m doing a version of that.鈥� How can we come together and make more of an impact,鈥� she explained.

But she doesn鈥檛 expect faculty and staff to take sole responsibility for these initiatives and events. Macksey wants to continue to put trust in the students to plan engaging and fun campus life activities. She said while it鈥檚 important for those organizations to have their independence, there are times when it makes sense to collaborate and work together. 

鈥淚t’s such a leadership learning opportunity for the students to say we can work together on something without losing our own identity, which I think just prepares them for the workforce later on and how they’re going to work with colleagues and peers,鈥� Macksey said. 

Among her new Campus Life responsibilities, Macksey鈥檚 Mission, Diversity, and Inclusion work remains a priority. She said she鈥檚 focused on seeing the initiatives in that department grow by providing more retreat opportunities, offering more religious services, engaging with the faith-based student organizations on campus for increased programming, and rebuilding the Good Neighbors service program to support nearby businesses, churches, and nonprofit organizations.  

Overall, Macksey isn鈥檛 looking to reinvent the wheel. Instead, she鈥檚 hoping to implement changes that enhance what is already in place.  

Her number one goal is to give back to the La 91直播 community. Not only because they deserve it, but because that is exactly what Explorers stand for. 

鈥淥ur students are kind. They are kind to one another and they’re kind to faculty and staff. They just care about each other. I want every student to feel like they belong here, that they’re supported, and that this community is invested in their success,鈥� she said.  

鈥� Meg Ryan, M.A. 鈥�24

The post On a mission to serve 91直播 students appeared first on 91直播.

Editor鈥檚 Note: For this news center story, the Office of University Marketing and Communications channeled their inner Explorer to write this piece and the mascot鈥檚 direct quotes.

The Explorer lived up to his name on Sept. 29, venturing off campus to Harrisburg, Pa., and the State Capitol Rotunda听to spend the day with some friends鈥攁nd rivals鈥攁t the 听听

“It’s always a good day when I get to go out and explore,” the Explorer, who was attending Mascot Day for the second time, said.  

“Being with friends from around the state in the Capitol Building was one of those good days, and, thankfully, there weren’t any owls around,” he continued with a smile.  

School spirit was high among the mascots in attendance as they explored the Rotunda, met with lawmakers who were also alumni of their respective schools, and some even participated in a secret project that will be released on social media in the coming weeks.  

alongside staff from the attending colleges and universities were in attendance to capture all the festivities.听

“I’m so proud of our alumni who get to walk the halls of the Capitol every day, and it was so exciting to be able to do it myself,” the Explorer said. “As mascots we’re obviously used to being the center of attention, but I’m glad that there were other people there, including my amazing colleagues, to help record the day.”  

As well as a time for fun, Mascot Day gives AICUP a chance to highlight the important role that colleges and universities in the state play in the local and regional community, emphasized by an address by AICUP’s president, Tom Foley.  

“Our local and state-wide community are just as much a part of the Explorer family as the people living, working, and learning on campus every day, I was happy to hear about the positive impact we as an institution have within our state and beyond,” the Explorer said.  

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91直播鈥檚 strong standing in national higher education rankings continues with an impressive entry on , the inaugural rankings report from TIME and Statista.听听

The new rankings selected only the top 500 institutions in the nation, of which La 91直播 was ranked number 173, positioning the University in the top-tier of options for postsecondary education. There are nearly 2,400 colleges and universities across the country who fit the majority of the criteria used in the TIME and Statista rankings, which would place the University in the top 10% of all higher education institutions nationally.  

鈥淥ur inclusion in the inaugural TIME and Statista rankings is a meaningful recognition of the education and student experience we provide at 91直播,鈥� said President Daniel J. Allen, Ph.D. 鈥淎t the heart of a La 91直播 education is a commitment to rigorous academics, the liberal arts, and our Lasallian mission. These principles guide how we educate and support our students, and they continue to distinguish our campus experience from other institutions across the nation.鈥� 

TIME and Statista scored colleges in three pillars: student outcomes, learning environment, and attractiveness.  

Student outcomes, measured after graduation, looks at what students have gained from attending an institution, focused on factors including earnings, graduation rate, and return on education, or earnings versus the cost of education.  

The second area, learning environment, assesses both the community and academic environment of a college. This pillar looks at factors including student-to-faculty ratio, expenditure per student, and a diversity index.  

Finally, the institutions were all given an attractiveness score, which highlighted how sought after they were by prospective students. TIME and Statista note that unlike the other pillars, it reflects demand as opposed to outcomes. These three scores were weighted and combined to reach a final score for each institution. This final score was then used to determine a school’s position in the rankings.  

To qualify for America鈥檚 Best Colleges 2026-27, institutions had to fulfil six criteria. To be included, a college or university had to be currently active and financially solvent, federally recognized and eligible, public or private not-for-profit, located in a US state or the District of Columbia, and have a minimum undergraduate enrollment average of at least 750 full-time equivalent undergraduate students across the past four years.  

鈥淟a 91直播鈥檚 inclusion in these national rankings proves the dedication we as an institution have to ensuring our students鈥� success,鈥� Lisa Jarvinen, Ph.D., interim provost and vice president for academic affairs said. 鈥淲e are committed to continually providing the outcomes and environment that make 20^th and Olney a top choice for Explorers.鈥� 

-Naomi Thomas 

The post 91直播 recognized as a top national destination for higher education in TIME鈥檚 inaugural college rankings appeared first on 91直播.

Lindsey Massimiani Pepe, ’07, Danielle Hamra Hooker, ’07, and Dennis Brown, ’96, all graduated from 91直播. Now the three Explorers are at the helm of听S29 Consulting, a growth marketing agency.听听听听

Prior to running their growth marketing agency, Lindsey Massimiani Pepe, 鈥�07, Danielle Hamra Hooker, 鈥�07, and Dennis Brown, 鈥�96, all found their start at 91直播. 听Today, as the founder, co-founder, and partner of , all three credit the lessons learned in the Communication Program, the relationships they cultivated, and their first professional experiences as student workers at 91直播 with being the start of a successful journey.听听

For Pepe, La 91直播 was “a family affair.” When she applied, her mom worked in admissions and her older brother was already an Explorer.    

Although she considered going to a larger college or further from home, she chose to enroll at La 91直播.    

“Ultimately, the decision made a lot of sense,鈥� she said. 鈥淎nd it already felt like home before I went.”   

Like Pepe, Hooker also knew current students when she was looking for colleges. Originally from North Jersey, spending a weekend with an Explorer friend on campus helped her make a decision.    

鈥淚 just had the whole La 91直播 experience,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t felt like the right fit. I鈥檓 very intuition focused, and that鈥檚 why I decided to come.鈥�    

It was through those campus connections that the two first met. Hooker鈥檚 friend and Pepe鈥檚 brother were in the same fraternity.    

鈥淪he was one of the first people I met the weekend before school started, because we both knew older students,鈥� Hooker said. 鈥淲e met then and have been friends ever since.鈥�    

Both women settled into Explorer life quickly.   

鈥淚 met my lifelong friends here, I fell in love with Philly, I had a great experience,鈥� Hooker said. 鈥淚 feel like I was really ingrained with the school and I loved it.鈥�    

Pepe, whose family home was less than 30 minutes from campus, echoed the sentiment.    

“I loved my life at La 91直播 and the whole college experience so much that it became my home,” she said.         

Both graduated from the Communication Program, and credit the education they received with preparing them for their future careers. Their professors鈥� real-world experiences and the rigorous coursework stood out for both of them as valuable assets to the program.    

Hooker, who double majored in digital arts,听discovered her first professional role in La 91直播鈥檚 Alumni Relations Office, a job that gave her more than just tuition听assistance听but also an introduction to project management, mentorship, and professionalism.听听

After finishing their time at La 91直播, Pepe and Hooker both went on to have successful careers.    

Hooker worked in events at Drexel University, before relocating to California where she first got a job at the University of Southern California working in the School of Engineering’s research institute. After three years, Hooker took some time off to travel, before moving to San Diego and starting a marketing role with an IT service provider.    

Pepe stayed in Philadelphia, first working in marketing for a nonprofit, before moving to Temple University, where she stayed for eight years, broken up only by another stint at a nonprofit. After Temple, Pepe spent some time in the marketing division of a global food and hospitality company.    

In the midst of their careers, the Covid-19 pandemic hit. Pepe was laid off from her job. Instead of looking for a new one, she decided to become an entrepreneur and start a jewelry company called Studio Twenty Nine, which she owned and operated for five years. Her company even featured a necklace called the Explorer. When restrictions lifted, she worked with an agency for about a year, but realized she was missing the independence and ownership that came with being her own boss.   

“I had already run my own business once,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 knew I could do it again. But this time blending everything I鈥檇 built a career on with the kind of intentional life I actually wanted, on my own terms.     So, I left there, started S29 Consulting, and the agency I formerly worked for became client number one.”  

Her jewelry company acted as inspiration for her next venture when Studio Twenty Nine transformed into S29.   

At the same time, Hooker, who took some time off during the pandemic to have her second child and be with her family, had also gotten into consulting. The two women reconnected, and after talking about Pepe’s vision decided to work on it together.    

“Things were so easy and fell into place as a working relationship, so here we are, two and a half years later,” Hooker said.    

As Pepe and Hooker got to work establishing S29, which was founded around the idea of engaging with impactful clients they were passionate about, their focus was on company growth.    

At this time, S29 took on a client that was an agency and the employer of Brown, also an Explorer alumnus. Pepe was brought in to help with a particular project, and she and Brown, although being strangers at the time, worked well together. When Brown left that agency, he reached out to Pepe and soon became the third member of the S29 team.    

“For me, this was the right opportunity at the right time,” Brown said. “I think the strength of it is, we all bring something different to the table which helps diversify how we can help our clients.”    

At S29, Pepe is responsible for strategic planning, organizational transformation, and fractional executive leadership as well as agency operations. Hooker leads sales enablement, revenue operations, partnerships, and the firm’s HubSpot practice, and Brown heads up branding, marketing strategy, and media.  

Although their careers had been different, Brown had a similar experience to Pepe and Hooker as an Explorer at 20^th and Olney.    

“I basically grew up on the campus,” Brown said, adding that his mother worked at the University, running the former computer lab in Wister Hall from 1985 to 2010. “Instinctively, it felt like the right fit for me, just because it was so familiar.”    

As a commuter student, his experience was slightly different, he said, but he was easily able to make the most of everything the University had to offer.    

Brown started his time as an Explorer as a听communication major with a broadcast concentration,听before realizing it听wasn’t听the right fit for him.听After taking some time off to reevaluate, he considered becoming a nursing major but eventually decided听on听returning to the communication department,听this time听in听the public relations track, valuing听the wide array of future careers it opened up.听听听听

“There’s a dexterity to how you can apply it,” Brown said. “You learn skills, you learn traits, and then you figure out what direction you want to apply them.”    

Brown took what he learned at La 91直播 and developed them into a marketing and branding career that spanned a variety of industries, with a particularly long stint in sports. He worked for the Atlantic 10 Athletics Conference, was a part of the Philadelphia Phillies organization when they won the 2008 World Series, and helped launch the Philadelphia Union soccer team.           

It was with the Phillies, where Brown was part of the team responsible for opening the team’s new home stadium, Citizens Bank Park, that he had one of the standout moments of his career.    

“I got to watch multiple generations of fans walk into that ballpark arm in arm and see their team on a grass field for the first time,” Brown said. “I was at that ballpark constantly, but it netted out in this validating yet amazing, goose-bump experience.”    

Although they all got to S29 in different ways, Pepe, Hooker, and Brown have all seen their Lasallian education, and the things they learned as Explorers, stay with them throughout that journey, whether on a personal or professional level.    

For Hooker, it’s the connections that have stayed with her, which her role in S29 is a perfect example of.    

“The relationships and foundational experiences I had at La 91直播 set the tone for my whole career. Now at S29, it鈥檚 incredibly fulfilling to bring that knowledge full circle, especially when helping our higher education clients build the infrastructure they need to grow and connect with their communities,” she said.    

Pepe learned that flexibility, not the plan itself, is usually what gets you where you鈥檙e going.         

“Things are not always going to work out the way that you think they are, and that鈥檚 not the end of the world,鈥� she said. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 usually where the opportunity is. My whole career has been one pivot after another. I鈥檝e gotten pretty good at finding the upside when the ground shifts.”   

And Brown often goes back to the skills he learned in a public speaking class, not thinking when he was in the classroom that he would still be using them this many years later.    

“Learning that skill at that time, I didn’t realize what the benefits were other than it was getting me through the class,” he said. “Not knowing that it was going to carry with me for a long time, I think it’s something pretty valuable.”    

Although all three have thought back to their days at La 91直播 throughout their adult lives and careers, a trip back to campus reignited their inner Explorer.    

Seeing all the developments and changes on campus is a sign of the positive progress La 91直播 is currently making, Brown said, while Hooker expressed her desire to bring her West Coast born and raised children to Philadelphia to see the campus at during Homecoming Weekend.    

Pepe is ready to follow her mother’s example.    

鈥淔or so many years, my mom was still working here and kept me in the loop on everything happening at the university, so I always felt connected in a way,鈥� she said. 鈥淪ince she retired, I鈥檝e lost that thread and I don鈥檛 really know what鈥檚 happening here anymore. Being back on campus makes me realize I want to pick up the torch myself now.鈥�  

-Naomi Thomas

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91直播 and the Archdiocese of Philadelphia鈥檚 System of Secondary Schools are entering a new partnership that will open doors for secondary school graduates to receive a high-quality, mission-driven college education at 20^th and Olney.

Students from all 15 Archdiocesan high schools with a 3.0-plus grade point average (GPA) are guaranteed admission to La 91直播 and will receive at least $20,000 per year in merit scholarships, as well as an additional $3,000 partner school scholarship.

This partnership is a strong example of La 91直播鈥檚 ongoing commitment to supporting private, Catholic schools throughout the Philadelphia region. La 91直播 is the only university in the City of Philadelphia that guarantees college admissions and minimum merit scholarships to students from all 15 of the Archdiocese’s secondary schools.

Officials from La 91直播 and the Archdiocese of Philadelphia鈥檚 Office of Catholic Education came together on Friday, Sept. 25, to celebrate this new partnership with an agreement signing event.

“This is an important partnership for not only our institution and the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, but for Catholic education across our city,” said 91直播 President Daniel J. Allen, Ph.D. “The work of our founder, Saint John Baptist de La 91直播, is carried on today by our Christian Brothers, faculty, and staff, and is the heart everything we do at 91直播. Not only will graduates from Archdiocese of Philadelphia Schools receive a rigorous liberal arts education, but their studies will be guided by our Lasallian mission. I look forward to welcoming more graduates from across the 15 schools to 20^th and Olney as we strengthen the commitment to our students through this partnership.”

Archdiocese of Philadelphia Schools students who take advantage of this opportunity will benefit from the financial support and continued learning at a Catholic institution.

Mr. William E. Brannick, Superintendent of Secondary Schools and Schools of Special Education, for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia鈥檚 Office of Catholic Education said, 鈥淭his exciting new partnership between our 15 Archdiocesan secondary schools and 91直播 will provide our students with an extraordinary opportunity to further their educational journey in a faith filled environment.鈥� Brannick continued, 鈥� I look forward to the success of this initiative and for our young people to continue to benefit from the gift of Catholic education with the foundation needed to be a Missionary Disciple through service to others throughout their lives.鈥�

La 91直播 continues to be named as a top Catholic college by national and regional publications. Recent rankings from and named La 91直播 as the top choice for Catholic higher education within the City of Philadelphia.  

The University’s recognition as a top Catholic institution goes beyond the city limits in Niche鈥檚 2027 Best Colleges list. La 91直播 landed third in the state and in the top 30% of Catholic colleges nationally. 

Washington Monthly continued its recognition of La 91直播, naming the college as the second best Catholic higher education institution in the state in its 2026 College Guide and Rankings. Among member institutions of The National Catholic College Admission Association that appear in the Washington Monthly guide, La 91直播 is ranked fifth in the Northeast and in the top 12% of Catholic schools nationally.

About 91直播

91直播 is a comprehensive Lasallian Catholic university located in Philadelphia. It is rooted in the tradition of the Brothers of the Christian Schools teaching order, founded by St. John Baptist de La 91直播鈥攖he Patron Saint of Teachers. Chartered in 1863 by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, La 91直播 prepares students to become known for more through a practical liberal arts and experiential education. By offering a quality experience; rigorous academics; transferable skills; and exposure to domestic and international partnerships in a safe and caring environment, La 91直播 is propelling learners into leaders. Learn more at .

About Archdiocese of Philadelphia Schools

The 15 Archdiocesan high schools serve a diverse population across the five-county region. Rooted in Gospel values and guided by the Catholic faith, AOPS high schools鈥� assist students in the development of moral viewpoints and ethical values which help guide them as they become the leaders of tomorrow. Students come together to pray, serve, learn and grow in an inclusive, engaging, and enriched environment.  

Each high school provides unique academic opportunities for students. The rigorous, standards based educational offerings prepare students for whatever future career aspirations they have. AOPS schools are committed to academic excellence, meeting each learner where they are while continually pushing them to meet their greatest potential. 

For additional information about Catholic secondary schools, please visit .

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On a fall afternoon in Founders’ Hall, the 91直播 campus community received the opportunity to hear about the professional journey and life lessons of entrepreneur Robert Luddy, ’68.  

Luddy, a graduate of La 91直播’s Accounting and Finance Programs, shared with Explorers the story of founding his company CaptiveAire Systems along with the lessons he’s learned along the way to find success in the business world.听

“Decisions in business should be made from philosophy. We serve our customer. What did Warren Buffett say about customers? He said, ‘We can afford to lose money, lots of money. We cannot afford to lose one ounce of our reputation.’ That’s philosophy, and philosophy will take you to the top,” Luddy said.  

Luddy is the founder and president of CaptiveAire Systems. He purchased a sheet metal shop in 1981 and transformed it into a successful organization and the leading manufacturer of commercial kitchen ventilation systems in North America. Today, Luddy鈥檚 business employs over 2000 employees, with 120 sales offices nationwide. 

Luddy, a champion for children鈥檚 education and a school choice advocate, is also  the founder and chairman of Franklin Academy, St. Thomas More Academy, Thales Academy, and Thales College.  

Franklin Academy, the first of the Luddy Schools, opened in 1998, followed by St. Thomas More Academy in 2001 and Thales Academy in 2007. The schools offer a high-quality Pre-K鈥�12 education at an affordable tuition to thousands of students. 

In 2019, Luddy founded Thales College in the Raleigh area, offering an affordable three-year bachelor’s degree with dual majors in Entrepreneurial Business and Liberal Arts & Sciences.

Along with his personal story, Luddy left students with a few key takeaways: be virtuous leaders, find value in human work and collaboration, utilize resources, serve as disruptors in the system, act as servant leaders, and push away “blockers” to not be discouraged and work toward the ultimate goal.  

Luddy encouraged the students to reflect on who they are and the impact they can make on the world beginning now. 

“Think about your time at La 91直播. Evolve to be the best you can be,” he said. 

Luddy also reflected on his own time at La 91直播 and shared how he enjoyed his coursework and learning from professors like the late Dan Rodden, 鈥�41. He said Rodden shared with him and his classmates, “it’s your job to order the disorder.” This moment stuck with Luddy, who has had time throughout his life to reflect on the message and find its impact.  

“It turned out to be a very profound message because we know the world is chaotic and disordered, and our mission in life is to create order within our families, within our communities, so that we can make a contribution. I add to that from my mother: make life beautiful, seek truth, and stay close to God. So, God is truth, and if you stay close and aligned with Him in your life, it will be a joyous and productive life. There’ll be aggravations. There’ll be challenges. There’ll be frustrations, but you’ll be amazed at what you can accomplish,” Luddy shared.  

Along with being a La 91直播 alumnus, Luddy is also a U.S. Army Veteran.  

In 2007, Luddy was awarded the Ludwig von Mises Entrepreneurship Award for 鈥渆ntrepreneurial success and devotion to the free-market ideal.鈥�  

He鈥檚 also the author of two books, Entrepreneurial Life: The Path From Startup to Market Leader and Seeking Wisdom: The Road to Prosperity.

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For the fifth consecutive year, 91直播 was ranked as one of the best higher education institutions in the United States, with an appearance on the .听听

In the 2027 rankings, La 91直播 rose seven spots, coming in tied at number 250. Over 1,700 colleges and universities were initially considered with only a fraction making an appearance on the eventual rankings.   

U.S. News also ranks institutions on social mobility and examines the enrollment and graduation rates for Pell Grant recipients, an area in which La 91直播 has historically excelled. In this year鈥檚 rankings, La 91直播 came in tied at 196, placing the Northwest Philadelphia college within the top 15 schools in the state.  

La 91直播 was also nationally ranked in U.S. News鈥� inaugural Private Schools List, tied for the number 114 spot, placing the University in the top two-thirds of recognized institutions.  

“Our continued rankings on national lists shows the positive and promising trajectory that La 91直播 has continuously been on in recent months,” University President Daniel J. Allen, Ph.D., said. “It’s not a surprise to me that others are recognizing what our Explorers already know:  our institution offers a high-quality education that prepares students for a successful future ahead.鈥�  

U.S. News and World Report assesses American higher education institutions yearly, basing their rankings list on 17 key measures of academic quality, with an emphasis on student outcomes, academic resources, and reputation. They consider factors such as graduation rates, student to faculty and ratio, and graduate earnings.  

Some of La 91直播’s academic programs also made an appearance in the U.S. News rankings. 

The undergraduate business and the Bachelor of Science in Nursing programs were tied for 262 and 288 spots on their respective lists, placing both in the top half of all programs. Additionally, the undergraduate Psychology program tied for number 347 nationally, placing it within the top two-thirds of all similar programs nationwide.  

“It’s especially meaningful to be recognized by organizations that look at academic quality, affordability, student outcomes, and overall value,鈥� Lisa Jarvinen, Ph.D., interim provost and vice president of academic affairs, said. 鈥淭hese rankings reflect the dedication of our faculty and staff and reinforce the fact that La 91直播 provides an excellent and accessible education that helps students reach their goals and make a difference in their communities.” 

U.S. News World Report is not the only place that has recognized the value of a Lasallian education in recent rankings.  

list, which evaluates institutions on 25 metrics, including graduation rates, costs, and alumni salaries, recognized the University as one of America’s Best Colleges.听听

La 91直播 also appeared as one of the 500 schools included on , coming in at number 333. Using Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) data, Forbes identified 1,600 institutions around the country for consideration for their rankings, a number which was then narrowed down further to the 500 included on the list. La 91直播鈥檚 position on the 贵辞谤产别蝉鈥� rankings list places the University in the top 25% nationally of all schools that fit their rankings criteria.听听

Forbes ranks schools based on return on investment, average student debt levels, and graduate outcomes. 

In the inaugural edition of from TIME and Statista, which selected the top 500 institutions in the country, the University came in at an impressive 173 nationally.听

Washington Monthly and Niche both recognized La 91直播 as the top Catholic institution within the City of Philadelphia, as well as the second and third best in the state respectively.听听

Overall, both organizations recognized the University as one of the top colleges in the country, coming in the top 33% of all universities in the Niche rankings and the top 25% in Washington Monthly. 

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