Alumna receives Mercy International’s inaugural emerging leaders fellowship

Julia Morisi ’17 has received the Mercy International Association’s inaugural emerging leaders fellowship. This new leadership program will provide opportunities to establish strong links and networking across the mercy world through international encounters, webinars and modules, mentorship and other activities.

Morisi was one of 10 women worldwide to receive the fellowship, which is designed to stimulate creative and critical thinking and promote collaborative leadership and personal reflection. In addition to the United States, fellows hail from Australia, Ireland, Papua New Guinea and Peru.

In addition to research projects, grassroots engagements and related activities, fellows will complete three international engagements, beginning with an induction and retreat in Cambodia in August. They will also attend the United Nations’ Commission on the Status of Women in New York and the Young Mercy Leaders pilgrimage in Dublin, Ireland.

“I am most excited to go to Siam Reap, Cambodia this summer,” Morisi said. “We will start to explore the Mercy International themes of displacement of persons and degradation of earth, which will include a project focused on water and sanitation. We will also focus on disarmament and reconciliation with Sister Denise, who is currently working in Cambodia.”

Morisi, who is currently pursuing a master’s degree in theology and conflict transformation at Boston University, is planning to combine the fellowship’s research project with her final thesis. “I am excited to have this fellowship as a way to focus my current studies,” she said. “I want to focus my education into the types of global concerns that the Sisters of Mercy prioritize, and I hope to direct my career path towards a profession that promotes mercy and justice.”

“My time at Salve certainly prepared me for this fellowship in many ways,” said Morisi, who double majored in English literature and religious and theological studies. “Salve prioritizes global engagement, and as a student, I was lucky enough to do a lot of traveling.” She studied abroad in Israel, attended the Young Mercy Leaders pilgrimage in Ireland and volunteered in Nicaragua through the Office of Community Service.

“While at Salve, I also received training in service leadership, and developed my research and writing skills,” Morisi said. “Furthermore, I deepened my confidence in women’s leadership in a place founded and run by women, and cultivated a passion for mercy and justice. In all of these ways, Salve was foundational for me in qualifying for this fellowship and the experience I gained will undoubtedly be invaluable to me as I approach the challenges of this fellowship.”