Matteo Ricci Seminar

Statue of Archbishop Hughes, Rose Hill Campus
The Matteo Ricci Seminar prepares high-achieving sophomores to compete successfully for prestigious fellowships and internships as well as developing their research ideas. Funded through the generosity of Fordham College Rose Hill alumni, the seminar is directed by faculty member(s) with strong support from the FCRH Dean's Office and the Office of Prestigious Fellowships. The current faculty directors are Professors Eric Bianchi and Rachel Annunziato.

In the Matteo Ricci Seminar, you will:

  • Participate in monthly meetings throughout the academic year.
  • Prepare materials for a variety of feedback with individualized feedback.
  • Discuss important issues to the contemporary world with readings and guest speakers.
  • Attend public lectures and other academic and cultural events in New York City.
  • Become a member of a community of peers and faculty working together to strive for excellence.

The year-long seminar provides students with opportunities to develop their knowledge of pressing social issues and global challenges, gain a stronger sense of their personal abilities, and learn how best to articulate intellectual and personal goals in fellowship applications and interviews.

The first semester of the seminar focuses on helping students develop a broad-based perspective on the contemporary world, their location in it, and the role of learning in creating a more just society. During this time, readings, discussion, and activities will center on providing a larger societal context by which to inform potential research ideas and interests. In the second half of the year, students will develop their ideas with mentorship from the seminar leaders and other faculty with an overall goal of presenting findings at the Undergraduate Research Symposium and potentially linking projects to fellowship applications

Students who participate in the Matteo Ricci Seminar are encouraged to compete for prestigious fellowships and scholarships, such as the Fulbright, Gates Cambridge or Rhodes Scholarship. Recent scholars have gone onto receiving Fulbrights, acceptance into top-tier law schools, publishing their work, as well as developing research projects locally and even abroad.

We are so thrilled to brag about recent Matteo Ricci alumni:

Arianna Chen, Class of 2022

Cat Gassiot, Class of 2021

Nicole Smina, Class of 2020

Matt Cappetta, Class of 2019

Melani Shahin, Class of 2018