Rev. Nick Albin, S.J. may not be from Milwaukee, but he is excited to make it his home as he dives headfirst into his second tenure at Marquette, this time as the assistant director for outreach and athlete ministry for Campus Ministry.
From traveling to hiking and from athletics to the arts, Albin has a variety of life experiences to help guide and direct Marquette students in their respective faith journeys.
Learn more about Albin below.
Tell us about yourself. Where are you from? Where did you go to school?
I was born and raised in the Washington, D.C. suburbs of northern Virginia and have one younger sister. Growing up, my family and I loved traveling to and hiking throughout the national parks across the United States. I attended Xavier University where I earned a Bachelor of Science in business administration while participating in student government, campus ministry and club tennis. There, I met the Jesuits and was inspired to enter the Society of Jesus. During my Jesuit training, I earned a Master of Arts in social philosophy from Loyola University Chicago and a Master of Divinity from Boston College. While preparing for the priesthood I led students to the Ignatian pilgrimage sites in Europe and ministering to God’s people along the USA-Mexico border and in northeast India. Aside from studies and work throughout my Jesuit formation, I loved getting involved with acting and improv at the Second City in Chicago and Improv Asylum in Boston while also running the St. Louis, Chicago and Boston marathons with my Jesuit brothers.
What inspired you to enter the Society and want to become a priest?
Faith has always been important to me when thinking about the example of my parents and the teachers I had in school. While I was studying business at Xavier, I took a philosophy course my junior year with a Jesuit priest who really inspired me. About halfway into the semester, I sent him my midterm on Descartes and he replied: “Thank you for your paper, Nick…by the way, have you ever thought about joining us in the Jesuits?” It was a question that caught me off guard, but made wonder, “Does he see something in me that I do not see in myself?” Soon after, other friends, professors and mentors around campus also asked me, “Nick, have you ever thought about becoming a Jesuit priest?” I decided to explore a Jesuit vocation through meeting monthly with a Jesuit spiritual director, reading the autobiography of St. Ignatius Loyola and by going on a few discernment retreats. Ultimately, I discovered that being a Jesuit priest was how God was calling me to be my fullest self by sharing my gifts and talents for the betterment of others.
Tell us about your role in Campus Ministry. What experience do you have in student outreach and athlete ministry?
I am serving as the assistant director for outreach and athlete ministry. Once upon a time (back in spring 2014), I spent a semester interning at Marquette University in the Mission and Ministry and Campus Ministry offices during my Jesuit formation. During that semester, I loved assisting with retreats, service programs, liturgies and helping with Mission Week.
My previous longer-term assignments with the Jesuits have also prepared me well for my ministry at Marquette. Two experiences include teaching theology and mathematics at Walsh Jesuit High School in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, and serving as the assistant to the president for mission at Creighton Preparatory School in Omaha, Nebraska. Teaching helped me learn how to encourage, support and care for students. Working in administration with faculty and staff taught me how to create and develop formation programming to meet the needs of my colleagues while inviting them into the Jesuit mission. While working in high schools, I also served as the faculty advisor for the student government and as a chaplain for the soccer team, which allowed me to recognize the importance of cura personalis through the care for the whole person: mind, body and spirit.
What are you looking forward to here at Marquette? Professionally or otherwise?
I am excited to be a part of the Marquette University community, and I look forward to building friendships around campus while connecting with the history of Marquette and Milwaukee. I am also grateful to live and pray with a wonderful community of Jesuits at the O’Brien Jesuit Residence. I hope to be a companion in mission by helping others to discover their God-given gifts and talents while sharing a joyful presence with warm hospitality. I am also excited to attend games and events around campus to cheer on and support the Golden Eagles! Around Milwaukee, I am looking forward to exploring the parks and spending time in reflection along Lake Michigan while discovering the “hidden gems” around the city for good food, art and music.
Fast questions
Favorite book, movie or podcast: ”Rocky” or “Shawshank Redemption”
Favorite place on campus: St. Joan of Arc Chapel and The Commons Dining Hall
Favorite hobby: Running, acting/improv and cooking
Favorite restaurant in Milwaukee: San Giorgio Pizzeria Napoletana
Favorite dessert: Tiramisu
