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Peer Ministry

Group of students on couch speaking and smiling at one another

Join us for an incredible year of community, faith, and growth!

Peer ministers are a tight-knit community of undergraduate students who provide a ministerial presence in residence halls and throughout campus while participating in ongoing personal and communal spiritual formation that is animated by the spirituality of St. Augustine and rooted in the Gospel. They offer 1:1 accompaniment; opportunities for community building and faith sharing; and they serve as a connection between students and the wealth of resources and opportunities for both personal and spiritual growth on campus. Peer Ministers accompany students from all backgrounds and faiths. They are grounded in joy and a firm belief that every student at Villanova should feel welcome, known, and loved.

The Peer Ministry program also facilitates a variety of events and programs on campus throughout each semester that promote community and faith including Storytelling Events, Get Real Small Groups, and Prayer Opportunities.

During the 2023-2024 academic year, Peer Ministers will serve first-year residence halls on campus. If you are interested in becoming a Peer Minister or learning more about the program please see the information below or email Meghan Dietzler, Director of Peer Ministry.

Group of students listening to someone not pictured in the photo

Peer Ministers are assigned to minister to a particular first year residence hall in partnership with a Graduate Resident Minister (GRM). They will consistently spend at least 1 hour per week in their hall offering “ministry of presence.” This includes going door to door, meeting with residents, checking in, and offering space to connect.

Group of students hugging

Formation: Peer Ministers participate in ongoing formation that offers them resources, support, and skills to be effective, grounded and intentional ministers to their residents and their peers on campus. This includes:

  • Early arrival to campus in August for Peer Ministry orientation
  • 1.5 hour bi-weekly meetings for formation, planning, community building, and shared prayer.

Community: Both in and outside of official meetings, Peer Ministers will grow in community together rooted in prayer, support, healthy communication, and joy.

Spiritual Growth:  Peer Ministers are committed to their own personal spiritual growth and are assigned to a Spiritual Mentor in Campus Ministry who will support them 1:1 throughout the year.

Young woman praying

Select peer ministers along with other passionate Villanova students explore and express their faith through making and sharing contemporary Christian music together. This group of students meet weekly to practice music and share their faith with one another. They provide music for evenings of praise and worship Adoration.

Group of students stand in residence hall hallway talking

Peer Ministers coordinate regular speaker series throughout each semester where faculty, staff, and students share stories about their faith and how it applies to their lives. The goals of both are to create honest, comfortable spaces where students can learn, be inspired, and challenged by the stories, ideas, and beliefs of the speakers. Peer Ministers also hope to these events can serve as ways for students to connect with each other and build friendships.

  • Agape Latte is a national faith storytelling series where faculty and staff on campus are invited to share part of their story and faith journey with students.
  • Cari-talks is a storytelling series founded by Villanova students during the pandemic where student speakers are invited to share part of their story and faith journey, oftentimes focused on a particular theme. Past themes include Change, Friendship, Forgiveness, Transitions, Relationships, and more!
Three students sitting in chairs chatting

Peer Ministers facilitate small groups where members talk about the everyday challenges of student life, including relationships, decision making, faith and spirituality. These groups provide a trusted space for honest conversation. Discover that we all share similar questions and concerns. Learn more or find a small group.

Anthony Bibbo

Anthony Bibbo
Cupola Hall
abibbo@villanova.edu
Fellowship opportunities

Joseph DeMarco

Joseph DeMarco
Farley Hall
jdemarc5@villanova.edu
Music Ministry

Nicholas Devine

Nicholas Devine
Cupola Hall
ndevine1@villanova.edu
Storytelling programs

Brad deJesus

Megan Fitzpatrick
McGuinn Hall
mfitzp27@villanova.edu
Small Group Leader, Storytelling Programs

Kylie Flynn

Kylie Flynn
Sullivan Hall
kflynn23@villanova.edu
Small Group Leader

Jack Brenner

Dominic Holcomb
McGuinn Hall
dholcomb@villanova.edu
Music Ministry

Stephanie Gonzalez

Joseph Holland
Dobbin Hall
jholla10@villanova.edu
Music Ministry

Joselyn Miranda-Barreto

Joselyn Miranda-Barreto
Friar Hall
jmirand7@villanova.edu
Music Ministry

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Joshua Mould
Riley Hall
jmould@villanova.edu
Storytelling programs, Small Group Leader

Cathy Nguyen

Cathy Nguyen
Hovnanian Hall
cnguye17@villanova.edu
Communications, Music Ministry

Emma Olson

Emma Olson
Rudolph Hall
eolson15@villanova.edu
Small Group Leaders
 

Erika Scales

Erika Scales
Hovnanian Hall
escales@villanova.edu
Small Group Leader

Yarizette Sequeira

Yarizette Sequeira
McGuinn Hall
ysequeir@villanova.edu
Storytelling Programs

Joshua Tsai

Joshua Tsai
Friar Hall
jtsai2@villanova.edu
Music Ministry

Katie Tuberosa

Katie Tuberosa
Moulden Hall
ktuberos@villanova.edu
Music Ministry

Sarah VanFleet

Sarah VanFleet
Riley Hall
svanflee@villanova.edu

Music Ministry

Julia Vicario

Julia Vicario
Sheehan Hall
jvicari2@villanova.edu
Small Group Leader