The Catholic University of America (CUA) and Faithful Citizenship Institute (FCI) are launching a partnership to prepare Catholics for a life in public service rooted in Catholic social teaching.
The organizations will help students who complete a graduate-level Catholic Social Teaching Certificate Course through FCI continue their public policy studies by earning three credit hours toward CUA’s Master in Public Policy (MPP) program.
“This brings together the practical training offered by FCI and the rigorous professional training of the MPP program. That creates a pathway for policy professionals to gain the skills necessary to put Catholic social teaching into practice,” Richard Gallenstein, founding director of the master of public policy program, said in a press release.
The two organizations also will collaborate on events and programming. In addition to receiving course credits, all MPP students will have access to FCI’s upcoming formation and networking platform, Fratelli.
The collaboration comes at a time when “current political culture is marked by deep division that extends beyond Capitol Hill – even to our church pews,” said Jennifer Daniels, FCI president and co-founder.
“By forming public policy professionals in the principles of Catholic social teaching, they will reflect the light of the Gospel in civic life to serve the common good,” she said.
Benedictine College moves closer to launching its osteopathic medical school
Benedictine College has filed the application for candidate status with the Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation after acquiring the necessary funds for submission. This pushed the institution one step closer to opening its proposed School of Osteopathic Medicine.
The institution may receive notification of status as early as September 2026, allowing for progression to the next steps. The expected status keeps the school on track to welcome its first class in 2028.
“This is the big moment that many people have been waiting for,” Benedictine College President Stephen D. Minnis said in a press release. “Our next task is to finish this proposed medical school that will imitate Christ the teacher and the healer.”
The proposed Benedictine College School of Osteopathic Medicine plans to train 180 medical students per year, who will then serve in Catholic hospitals around the country, bringing medical care to those in need.
“This is a great moment when Benedictine College sees the need for rural health care and is stepping forward to educate physicians to fill the gap in delivering faithfully Catholic, high-quality medical care,” said Mike Kuckelman, chair of the board of Benedictine College.
Families open school in Sacramento following closure of Catholic school
Families in the Diocese of Sacramento established Alphonse Gallegos Academy (AGA) after the diocese announced the consolidation of three Catholic schools, leading to the closure of two campuses this summer.
The new school refers to itself as “a modern alternative to traditional private school” and “an independent, faith-based learning co-op.”
It plans to serve Sacramento families through a full-day, teacher-guided academic environment rooted in faith, community, and strong educational foundations.
Families are actively enrolling for the 2026–2027 school year as the school prepares for its founding classes.
The schoolʼs launch began after the Diocese of Sacramento announced the merger of St. Charles Borromeo School, St. Patrick Academy, and St. Robert School, which will take effect in June 2026.
AGA will include faith-based education “inspired by Catholic tradition,” according to its website, but is not a diocesan school.
AGA is named in honor of Blessed Alphonse Gallegos, who “devoted his ministry to serving others, especially children, families, and those often overlooked by society.”
His “example of joyful service and compassionate leadership continues to inspire the mission and values of AGA,” the school reported.
CUA honored for demonstrating ‘significant contributions’ in space or aerospace research
The Universities Space Research Association (USRA) has welcomed The Catholic University of America (CUA) to its consortium.
CUA was granted membership on May 18 from USRA, a nonprofit corporation to advance space-related science, technology, and engineering. It operates scientific institutes and facilities other research and educational programs under federal funding.
To receive a USRA membership, institutions must have demonstrated “significant contributions in space or aerospace research by faculty,” and “a substantial commitment to a course of studies and dissertation research leading to a doctorate in one or more related fields.”
“We look forward to the contributions of The Catholic University of America in ongoing space science investigations, and collaborations with faculty and peers on space-related projects, and USRA programs that bridge academic research with real-world space exploration challenges,” Dr. Elsayed Talaat, president and CEO of USRA, said in a press release.
CUA’s designation marks the 124th USRA institution. The designation also follows the universityʼs achievement in 2025 of the R1 designation, granted to institutes with the highest levels of research activity.
CUA’s “academic prominence and background in physics, engineering, computer science” and its “passion for space science made it an ideal candidate for membership with USRA,” USRA reported.
