Division of Mission & Ministry Staff
Faculty
Daniel Cosacchi, Ph.D
Vice President for Mission and Ministry
Division of Mission and Ministry
The DeNaples Center, 200A | 570-941-6651
Dr. Cosacchi is responsible for articulating, enhancing and promoting the University's Catholic and Jesuit identity across all constituencies. He provides leadership and direction for the departments of Campus Ministries, the Jesuit Center, and the Center for Service and Social Justice, while overseeing mission and ministry initiatives for the University community including students, staff and faculty.
He previously served as assistant professor of religious studies at Marywood University. In addition to teaching core and elective courses in theology and religious studies, he was the College of Arts and Sciences representative on the Mission Integration Committee and director of the Justice and Peace Studies Program. He also served as Marywood’s representative to the Synod on Synodality and served on several other committees.
Dr. Cosacchi also taught at Fairfield University and was a Canisius Postdoctoral Fellow there from 2016-2019. He served as faculty moderator for the Canisius Academy, planning and hosting prominent events centered on social justice and the Catholic intellectual heritage and moderating mini-lectures on Catholic topics. He also served as a mentor for Ignatian Residential College there.
He is co-author/editor of the book “The Berrigan Letters: Personal Correspondence Between Daniel and Philip Berrigan,” and has published articles in the Journal of Jesuit Studies, among other journals.
Dr. Cosacchi earned his bachelor’s degree from Fordham University, his master’s degree from Boston College and his Ph.D. from Loyola University of Chicago.
“Through his education at Jesuit universities and his experience in higher education at Catholic schools, Dr. Cosacchi understands well and values greatly the important role Catholic and Jesuit education plays in the formation of our students,” said Father Marina
Patricia Vaccaro, M.S.
Director of the Center for Service & Social Justice
Center for Service & Social Justice
TDC 205A | 570-941-7429
Patricia Vaccaro is a life-long resident of Scranton, PA. Pat has served as the Director of The Center for Service and Social Justice for over 30 years. Pat works with 120 non-profit organizations in the Scranton Community matching student interests and gifts to the needs of the agency partners. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Art Education from Marywood University, and a M.A. in Community Counseling from The University of Scranton. Pat has created a number of service opportunities including the FIRST (First-years Involved in Reflective Service Together); SPARK, a summer program with at-risk youth; Safe Trick-or-Treating in the Residence Halls; and, the End of the Year Collection Drive. Prior to coming to the University, Pat was a teacher in Scranton's Diocesan schools. She also was the Volunteer Director and Senior Center Manager for Meals on Wheels of Lackawanna County. Pat was a founding member of the Habitat for Humanity of Lackawanna County Chapter and was on various boards including Voluntary Action Center of NEPA and Catholic Social Services.
Cathy Seymour, M.A.
Director of Retreats & Spiritual Programs
Campus Ministries
catherine.seymour@scranton.edu
TDC 200C | 570-941-7409
Cathy Seymour is a native New Yorker who has now lived most of her life in beautiful Northeast PA. Cathy’s areas of ministry include the Search Retreats, social justice programming and education, spiritual direction, and working with students interested in post-grad volunteer opportunities. She moderates the Catholic Relief Services Ambassadors Club, and serves on the University’s Education for Justice Committee. Cathy received her Bachelor’s degree in Human Services and Theology, as well as her M.A. in Theology, from The University of Scranton. She is a nationally certified campus minister, and has a certificate in spiritual direction from Marywood University.
After college. Cathy served with the Jesuit Volunteer Corps in Belize City, Belize, where she worked as a pastoral assistant at a Jesuit parish for two years. Currently, she is part of the local support team for the Scranton Jesuit Volunteer Corps community.
Michael O'Malley
Director of Liturgy & Music
Campus Ministries
TDC 200E | 570-941-7589
Michael O’Malley is a graduate of Marywood University where he studied music education and piano. Michael has worked as a music educator, choir director, pastoral musician, and liturgist for parishes and schools in Florida, Illinois, and Pennsylvania. From 2018 – 2021, he was the Director of Liturgy and Music at the Church of St. Patrick in Mount Dora, Florida, and also served on the Liturgical Commission for the Diocese of Orlando. In addition to his ministry at the University of Scranton, Michael is currently the Director of Liturgy and Music at Our Lady of the Snows Parish in Clarks Summit.
Prior to coming to Scranton, Michael worked as a teaching artist at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts in Orlando and as a piano instructor at Central Florida Community Arts. He continues to be active in the local arts community as an accompanist and music director. Michael is a member of the National Association of Pastoral Musicians and the American Choral Directors’ Association.
Amy Hoegen, M.A.
Campus Minister for Retreats and Bereavement Ministry
Campus Ministries
TDC 200F | 570-941-5510
Amy Hoegen has worked at The University of Scranton as a Campus Minister since August of 2008. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Misericordia University in Dallas, PA and a Masters of Arts degree in Pastoral Ministry from Boston College. She is also a certified spiritual director. Prior to coming to The University of Scranton, Amy worked for the Diocese of Wilmington, Delaware in the Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry, and later at St. Jude Parish in Mountaintop, PA as the Director of Adult Faith Formation. Amy’s areas of expertise include retreat programming, bereavement ministry, spiritual direction and Ignatian spirituality.
Fred Mercadante, M.S.
Campus Minister for Retreats and Sacramental Formation
Campus Ministries
TDC 200G | 570-941-5458
Fred Mercadante began full time ministry at The University of Scranton in 2013. He began his ministerial career as a full time parish youth minister in New Jersey for over 11 years and then served the Catholic community in and around Clemson, South Carolina as a campus minister for 5 years before coming to the U.
He is the award winning author of “Senior High Ministry That Works! A Parish-Based Initiation Model.” His article, "At Holy Spirit in Las Vegas, Desert Retreatants Found Room at The Inn" was published online at National Catholic Reporter.
Fred’s main roles within the Campus Ministries office includes directing the RCIA & Confirmation Preparation processes, coordinating retreats specializing in outdoor experiences, Bible Study, assisting at Sunday liturgies and other programming.
Avianna Carilli
Coordinator of Domestic and International Service Programs
Center for Service & Social Justice
TDC 200H | 570-941-4138
Avianna serves as the Coordinator of Domestic and International Service Programs in the Center for Service & Social Justice. She graduated from the University of Scranton in 2022 with a Counseling & Human Services degree and is continuing to pursue her education with a Master’s in Public Administration and Nonprofit Management. As a student, she participated in many local, domestic, and international service programs. In this role, Avianna works with nonprofit agencies domestically and internationally to plan and execute service trips for our students.
Staff
Andrea Malia
Administrative Assistant
Mission and Ministry
The DeNaples Center 200A | 570-941-7419
Ellen Judge, B.A.
Administrative Assistant
The Center for Service and Social Justice
The DeNaples Center 205B | 570-941-7429