Charles Zola

Charles Zola is an Associate Professor of Philosophy at Mount Saint Mary College, where he leads the Catholic and Dominican Institute and serves as Assistant Vice President for Mission. He earned his Doctorate and Master's in Philosophy from Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgium, and a Bachelor's from the University of Scranton with a theology minor.

• Doctorate in Philosophy (Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgium)
• Master's Degree in Philosophy (Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgium)
• Bachelor's Degree in Philosophy (University of Scranton)

His research focuses on ethics, particularly elder care and family ethics, informed by Catholic and Dominican intellectual traditions. He applies Thomistic philosophy to contemporary moral dilemmas and emphasizes the intersection of ethics with healthcare and social work practices.

Recent publications explore metacognition in service learning (2020), Renaissance Dominican art (2018), and bioethical debates on reproduction (2008). His work spans interdisciplinary ethics, historical recovery, and pedagogical innovation.

• Teaching Award from Graduate School of Business, Mount Saint Mary College (2016)
• Outstanding Teaching Award for adjunct faculty at Penn State, Hazleton (2004)

Zola advocates for study abroad programs and experiential learning, rooted in Socratic inquiry. He also established the Dominican Scholars of Hope program (2016-present) and previously directed the Ethics Institute of Northeastern Pennsylvania at Misericordia University (2003-2009).