The Ethics and Society blog is delighted to welcome the following candidates to Fordham University’s Master of Arts in Ethics and Society:

Kelly Collins graduated in 2011 with a BS in Philosophy and Political Science from Florida State University.  After moving to New York City shortly after graduation, she began working as a legal assistant in a well-known international law firm.  While pursuing her MA in Ethics and Society, Kelly hopes to utilize real-world skills to analyze and reflect upon today’s moral dilemmas.

Tim Colvin is currently a senior at Fordham University from Kings Park, New York. He is a dual major in Political Science and Classical Civilization with a minor in Philosophy. Tim is interested in attending law school and hopes to apply a background in ethics in practice after completing the MA in Ethics and Society.

Margaret Desmond completed her BA in Anthropology and Philosophy at Fordham University. She has worked at Catholic Charities Refugee Resettlement Office, the Museum of Jewish Heritage, and the Bronx Oncology Living Daily Program during her time in New York. Margaret joined the Center for Ethics Education as a graduate assistant this fall and will also be completing her MA in Ethics and Society. With her interest in medicine and background in archaeology, Margaret hopes to explore the ethical issues of these different disciplines while in the program.

Yohan Garcia is a Fordham University student from Puebla, Mexico. He earned an Associate’s Degree from the Borough of Manhattan Community College in Business Management, and a BA in Political Science from Hunter College. Over the years, Yohan has interned at the Mayor’s Office of Adult Education, at the City Hall Office of Councilman Ydanis Rodriguez, and at the NYC Office of United States Senator Kirsten E. Gillibrand. Yohan’s mission is to advocate for opportunities for those who are unable to speak for themselves. He believes that the MA in Ethics and Society Program is the best training ground for his talents and passion for social justice.

A senior at Fordham University, Marlena Gutierrez is double majoring in American Studies and Latin American Studies. In addition to her majors, she is concentrating on American Catholic Studies through the Francis and Ann Curran Center for American Catholic Studies. She hopes to go to law school and work for a university legal team or in administration, and believes the MA in Ethics and Society will provide her with an understanding of ethics of higher education while also giving her the opportunity to continue working on a university campus. Marlena is currently a Resident Assistant and has interned in three different civil and family law firms during her time as an undergrad.

James Mihalcik is currently a Fordham University senior, majoring in Philosophy and minoring in Mandarin Chinese. He is an early admission student of the MA in Ethics and Society. Following a desire to go on to law school after graduating, James has worked at the Manhattan District Attorney’s Crime Strategies Unit. James wishes to apply the skills he acquires from studying ethics to a career as an attorney.

Adriana Montes is a student in the BA/MA Ethics and Society program. She completed her undergraduate education at Fordham University with a BA in Philosophy and a minor in Biology. This past summer, Adriana received a grant through the Calder Summer Undergraduate Research program to investigate resource allocation and allometry of Solanum lycopersicum on an urban rooftop, and she continues to work at the Louis Calder Center as a lab and research assistant. Her interests include heath care and bioethics, which she is hopes will better prepare her for a career in medicine.

Madeline Ruckle completed her undergraduate career at Fordham University where she majored in Psychology. She has worked as a medical scribe and assisted researchers at the VA Hospital in New York City. She plans on becoming an emergency medicine doctor, but is pursuing a MA in Ethics and Society to also work as an administrator where she hopes to improve American healthcare.

Evan Solomon is a senior at Fordham University returning from a semester abroad at University College London. He is double majoring in Philosophy and International Political Economy and enrolled in the Five Year MA Program in Ethics and Society with a focus on nonprofit and social justice. Evan currently is an intern for the Development Team at Success Academy Charter Schools, one of the biggest and most successful charter school networks in the United States. Evan hopes to complete a second master’s degree in International Political Economy and Development at Fordham and eventually work for an international nonprofit focused on economic development.

After graduating the State University of New York at Albany, Cum Laude with her B.A. in History, Chelsea received her M.A. in Teaching Social Studies Secondary Education from Teachers College, Columbia University.  While teaching in the City School District of Albany, New York, she joined a grassroots group and co-founded another to stop the Northeast Energy Direct Pipeline, which she contends threatened the area. Chelsea’s profound concern for ecological ethics grew, which led her to pursue the Master of Arts in Ethics and Society at Fordham University.

We’re very excited to have students join us for what promises to be an intellectually rewarding academic year, both in and outside of the classroom, as well as contribute to our Student Voices section of the blog.

The Center for Ethics Education’s Master of Arts in Ethics and Society provides students with a cross-disciplinary foundation in the application of moral and ethical theory to social issues. In this era of increased need for ethical discourse in academic, professional, and public life, the master’s program draws upon theological, philosophical, human sciences and other areas of ethical discourse to help advance the common good.

Please feel free to contact the Program Director, Dr. Celia B. Fisher with any questions or to discuss the program in more detail.