SKILLS, FAITH — Jacob Imam, president of the College of St. Joseph the Worker and professor of theology, addresses a classroom at the new Steubenville school. A former Muslim who converted to the Catholic faith, he established the college, which mixes hands-on training in skilled trades with Catholic studies and other courses, last year. -- Contributed

STEUBENVILLE — The College of St. Joseph the Worker aims to produce students who are effective community members by teaching them the Catholic intellectual tradition and training them in skilled trades.

The school was opened in December 2023 by Jacob Imam with the help and support of many and accepted its first class in fall 2024.

Imam was born into a Muslim home and converted to the Catholic faith under the guidance of his godfather, Walter Hooper, who had been author and lay theologian C.S. Lewis’ personal secretary.

A Marshall Scholar at the University of Oxford from which he earned master’s and doctorate degrees, he has spoken on politics and economics in various media outlets.

Students at the four-year college pursue a bachelor of arts degree in Catholic studies, a faith-based, liberal arts curriculum, as well as training in carpentry, electrical, plumbing and heating, ventilation and air conditioning.

TRAINING — Master builder Mike Sullivan instructs a group of carpentry students at the College of St. Joseph the Worker. Opened last year, the school offers a mix of hands-on training in skilled trades with Catholic studies and other courses. -- Contributed

The college is based at 424 Washington St. and its academic building is located at 200 N. Fourth St.

Additionally, at the former Tri-State Publishing building at 157 N. Third St., it has a spacious workshop and a large lumber bay with separate labs in which students can hone their skills.

But that is just a part of the hands-on training provided to the college’s students.

Michael Gugala, vice president of enrollment for the college, said the students’ work experience is applied toward a journeyman card through Apprentice Ohio, a program of the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services.

Because of the work hours required for the state certification, additional experience could be needed for up to two years following graduation, he noted.

But school officials work with them to find work opportunities.

Gugala said through their four years at the College of St. Joseph the Worker, students will have many opportunities to learn about various aspects of building construction.

Freshmen are engaged in the basic construction of a house while considering the trade they want to learn in the following three years.

He said students at the college currently are involved in the construction of two homes in Toronto; one in Steubenville; renovations to a Clinton Street apartment building in Steubenville that will serve as student housing; and the former People’s Bank in Weirton that will be the new headquarters of the Business Development Corp. of the Northern Panhandle.

Gugala said from ensuring they have brought the necessary tools to preparing for various weather conditions, the students experience the same conditions faced by seasoned contractors.

“We really want them to see the entire process of construction, from start to finish,” he said, adding it will provide them with a working knowledge of various aspects of the field.

Gugala noted another aspect that brings home the real-life experience of the students’ work, while saving them considerable expense in tuition, is that the students are paid for their work in the second, third and fourth years.

He said the students are responsible for paying the yearly tuition of $15,000 from their earnings or other resources as well as purchasing food for their meals and meeting other day-to-day expenses.

The College of St. Joseph the Worker offers four student housing locations, with a fifth in development, as noted.

Gugala said some students have their own living accommodations, but the school has attracted students from beyond the Tri-State Area, with 27 states represented among its current enrollment of 63.

Though most are males, there are a couple of females enrolled, and the college also has welcomed non-traditional students seeking a change in careers.

Because the college is Catholic-based, some have questioned if there’s a link between it and the Franciscan University of Steubenville.

But the two have only a casual relationship, with St. Joseph the Worker students having access to the university’s John Paul II Library and the university’s carpentry club using the college’s workshop at times.

Gugala said college officials welcome further partnership with the university.

He said a key goal for the school is to produce graduates who aren’t only competent in the workforce but responsible to their families and communities.

Gugala said everyone at the College of St. Joseph the Worker wants it to have a positive impact on the local community.

“The Ohio Valley is important to us because it’s our home, and we want to take care of our home,” he said, noting the school is unique in its dual education in Catholic studies and vocational skills.

“We just want people to know what we’re trying to do for this area and for the country.”

Information about the college can be found at its website at collegeofstjoseph.com.