Graduate Students & Young Adults (GYA)
Welcome
GYA (Graduate students and Young Adults) is a group created for graduate students, postdocs, and young adults in the surrounding Evanston community who are in their 20s and 30s. GYA gathers regularly for a variety of events built around social, spiritual, educational, and service initiatives to help you stay connected.
Get Connected
We welcome you to sign up with Sheil via the button below to receive the weekly e-newsletter and other announcements about the community. Then, join GYA during the academic year on most Tuesdays at 7:00 p.m. at Sheil Catholic Center, Evanston. Please see the list of our meetings and events below. We invite all graduate students and young adults to join us and newcomers are always welcome! Questions about GYA? Contact Tim Higgins, Campus Minister, here or call 847.328.4648.
Sign Up
Winter Retreat | February 7-8, 2026
Join the annual GYA winter retreat as we reflect on the theme Growing in the Spirit! We'll be traveling to a peaceful lake house cabin in Trevor, Wisconsin, about an hour north of Northwestern. Arrive at Sheil on Saturday, February 7th at 10 a.m. and we will return to Sheil on a Sunday, February 8th around 3:00 p.m. Cost is $50 for Northwestern students, $100 for non-students. Scholarships are available. If you need financial assistance with the retreat fee, simply check the “Retreat Fee Scholarship” box on the form and Tim will get in touch with you. Payment can be made here. If you have any questions, contact campus minister Tim Higgins here.
Schedule of Events
Tuesday, January 13, 6:00 p.m. - GYA Meeting (Academic/Bible Study)
Tuesday, January 20, 6:00 p.m. - GYA Meeting (Academic/Bible Study)
Tuesday, January 27, 6:00 p.m. - GYA Meeting (Academic/Bible Study)
Tuesday, February 3, 6:00 p.m. - GYA Meeting (Academic/Bible Study)
Saturday-Sunday, February 7-8 - GYA Annual Retreat (learn more above, sign up here)
Tuesday, February 17, 6:00 p.m. - GYA Meeting (Mardi Gras Social)
Tuesday, February 24, 6:00 p.m. - GYA Meeting (Service: Presentation from Margarita Inn)
Monday, March 2, 5:30-7:00 p.m. - GYA Meeting (Service: Cooking for Margarita Inn at Sheil)
Tuesday, March 3, 6:00 p.m. - GYA Meeting (Service: Serving Food at Margarita Inn)
Tuesday, March 10, 6:00 p.m. - GYA Meeting (Social Activity)
Saturday, March 14, 10:00-2:00 p.m. - GYA Service Day at Our Lady of the Angels
All events take place at Sheil Catholic Center, unless otherwise noted. To see a full list of upcoming events with the Sheil Catholic community at Northwestern, click here
Leadership Team
The GYA leadership team includes (pictured from left to right): Drew Meinecke (service chair and communications chair), Michael Clark (chair of spiritual life), Pia Rodriguez (chair of small group study), Maddie Joseph (chair of social life), and Tim Higgins (campus minister) .