On February 3rd, the Ciocca Center for Business, Ethics, and Society partnered with the Donelan Office of Community-Based Learning, Teaching, and Engaged Scholarship to host a Certificate Info Session. Students arrived with big-picture questions about where they’re headed and how to make the most of their time at Holy Cross, and the conversation quickly moved from curiosity to concrete possibilities.
We are grateful for the collaboration across departments and for everyone who joined us. With a strong turnout and many new certificate registrations, the session offered a clear look at what Holy Cross Experiential Learning Certificate Programs can add to a student’s Jesuit liberal arts education. These programs help students build practical skills through workshops, internships, and applied learning, while grounding their work in ethical reflection and real-world experience.
The most exciting part of the event was the announcement of Holy Cross’s two new certificates:
Social Action and Civic Engagement Leadership Certificate offered by the Donelan Office
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- The Social Action and Civic Engagement Leadership Certificate empowers students to turn their passion for justice into meaningful action through hands-on learning and community engagement. Grounded in the Jesuit, liberal arts mission of Holy Cross, the program builds ethical reflection, civic identity, and leadership skills. Through immersive experiences, internships, and collaboration with community partners, students graduate ready to lead with purpose in advocacy, social impact, and public service roles.
Certificate in Social Entrepreneurship offered by the Ciocca Center
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- The Certificate in Social Entrepreneurship is a nonprofit educational initiative that empowers students to turn ideas into action through innovative, purpose-driven learning. Combining academic study with hands-on experiences, the program equips participants to design and lead ventures that create measurable social impact. Committed to developing creative problem-solvers and effective change agents, the program promotes leadership, innovation, and sustainable community development.
The Ciocca Center also proudly offers a Business Fundamentals Certificate, Entrepreneurship Certificate, and Finance and Banking Certificate which students had the chance to learn about as well.
What made the event feel especially “Holy Cross” was how naturally it brought people and offices together. The Ciocca Center and the Donelan Office approach this work from different angles, but we share the same goal: helping students connect values to action. When those pieces come together in one room, students don’t just hear about programs, they start to see a path forward. They meet the people who can help them take the first step, and they hear how reflection and real-world experience can strengthen them in ways that matter long after graduation.
We hope to keep building on this momentum through future info sessions, workshops, and new student pathways. If you are curious about the certificates, or wondering how one might fit into your plans at Holy Cross, we would love to continue the conversation.