Manhattanville University Professor John Shekitka, PhD Named Fulbright Canada Distinguished Research Chair

PURCHASE, NY, July 29, 2025 – Manhattanville University is pleased to announce that John Shekitka, PhD, Assistant Professor of Social Studies and Secondary Education in the School of Education, has been named the Fulbright Canada Distinguished Research Chair in Public Affairs in North America: Society, Policy, and Media at Carleton University in Ottawa, for the 2025–2026 academic year.

Dr. Shekitka’s award is part of the Fulbright Canada Distinguished Research Chairs Program, which offers one of the most prestigious appointments available to American scholars. Administered by Fulbright Canada in partnership with Carleton University, the award will enable Dr. Shekitka to conduct a year of research and academic collaboration.

Dr. Shekitka’s project, “Religion in the Civics Classroom: Formation of Student Civic Tolerance,” will investigate how religion is addressed in Ontario’s civics and social studies classrooms—across publicly funded secular, Catholic, and private schools—within the context of civic education. His research will include interviews and classroom observations and will complement the work he has conducted in schools in New York.

“Ontario’s distinctive educational model, which includes publicly funded Catholic schools, presents a rare and meaningful opportunity to examine how teachers navigate religion in civic education,” Dr. Shekitka said. “This work is about understanding how educators contribute to civic tolerance in diverse societies.”

“John’s selection as a Fulbright Canada Distinguished Research Chair is a tremendous achievement—for him personally and for Manhattanville University,” said Frank D. Sánchez, Ph.D., President of Manhattanville University. “John is continually engaged in meaningful conversations around the role that education, civics, and religion play in diverse, thriving societies. We are incredibly proud of John’s work and look forward to learning about the results of his research in Canada.”

A Manhattanville faculty member for more than seven years, Dr. Shekitka previously served as a principal of a K–8 Catholic school and has taught social studies at both the middle and high school levels. His academic research focuses on the intersection of religion, public education, and civic engagement. This Fulbright award builds on his work addressing the role of religion in the social studies classroom.

During his time at Carleton, Dr. Shekitka will engage with faculty, participate in public lectures and guest speaking engagements, and collaborate with local educators and school leaders. His work aligns closely with Fulbright Canada’s mission to enhance mutual understanding between Canada and the United States through academic exchange.

Dr. Shekitka will begin his residency in September 2025; he will return to Manhattanville in Spring 2026, where he will present his findings to the university and regional educational communities.

About Manhattanville University

Manhattanville University (formerly Manhattanville College) is a private liberal arts institution dedicated to academic excellence, purposeful education, and social responsibility. For three years in a row, “U.S. News and World Report” has ranked Manhattanville the number one private, non-profit institution in New York among Top Performers of Social Mobility in Regional Universities North. The university has been recognized among the best colleges in The Princeton Review for close to 20 years. Located 30 miles from New York City on a 100-acre suburban campus in the heart of Westchester County, Manhattanville enables easy access to entertainment offerings, educational resources, and business opportunities for its diverse student body. The university serves more than 1,400 undergraduate students and nearly 1,000 graduate students from more than 44 countries and 33 states. Founded in 1841, the university offers more than 75 undergraduate and graduate areas of study in the arts and sciences, education, nursing and health sciences, business, and creative writing, as well as continuing and executive education programs. Graduate students can choose from over 70 graduate and certificate programs. Extracurricular offerings include more than 45 clubs and activities and 23 NCAA Division III teams.

About Fulbright Canada Distinguished Research Chairs

The Fulbright Canada Distinguished Research Chairs Program supports American scholars of exceptional merit and experience. Hosted by leading Canadian institutions, including Carleton University, these awards encourage research, collaboration, and public engagement in areas ranging from public policy and media to the arts, business, and environmental science. Fulbright Canada is supported by the U.S. Department of State and the Government of Canada through a bi-national commission. Learn more at: https://www.fulbright.ca/programs/american-scholars/distinguished-chairs.html