McNeese History and Humanities Graduate Receives PhD Program Offer 

Hard work is paying off with generous offers to graduate school programs in philosophy for Marisa Moreno, a McNeese State University history and humanities graduate.  

Moreno, of Elton, graduated in the fall 2025 semester with bachelor’s degrees in history and humanities. She has decided to continue her education by pursuing a master’s degree in philosophy.  

“The process of applying to graduate schools has been more tedious than I initially thought it would be,” she explained. “It’s stressful, especially since graduate school is something I wish to pursue, so receiving an offer has provided me with a sense of relief.” 

After going through the rigorous process of applying to graduate schools, she is finally receiving results. 

Most recently, Moreno received an acceptance to the master’s degree program in philosophy at the University of North Texas. Not only was she accepted into the program, but she also received an offer to enter the university’s doctoral program with funding for five years.  

Moreno hasn’t yet chosen a graduate program to attend, but will no doubt have her pick of several great choices at universities with top programs.  

Her professors at McNeese helped her throughout the application process.  

“The philosophy professors at McNeese encouraged me to pursue graduate school and reminded me of how competitive the philosophy field is,” she said. “Dr. Todd Furman, Dr. Johannes Bulhof and Dr. Joseph Tuminello all wrote letters of recommendation for me.” 

Assistant professor of philosophy Tuminello said, “As a professor, I provide students with the critical thinking skills and intellectual curiosity necessary to succeed in their academic and professional pursuits.  

“I also offer mentorship to help students refine their research interests, navigate graduate applications and build the confidence needed to pursue ambitious goals,” he added.  

Moreno’s time at McNeese has paid off in more ways than one. She majored in both history and humanities with a concentration in philosophy. One of her favorite things about being a history and humanities major was the community she found. 

“I like how the history department has organizations to get students connected and involved, like Phi Alpha Theta and the History Club,” she said. 

Dr. Tuminello says that Moreno’s acceptance reflects her individual achievements as well as McNeese’s commitment to fostering future scholars and professionals.  

“Her acceptance into a PhD program is a testament to her dedication, intellectual rigor and passion for philosophy,” he said. “It highlights the strength of her academic preparation at McNeese and demonstrates that students from our institution can compete at the highest levels of academia.” 

Moreno’s dedication, help from her professors and supportive community at McNeese all played a part in her success in applying to graduate school. 

“Marisa’s success serves as an inspiration for other students, showing that with hard work and the right support, they too can achieve their aspirations in higher education,” said Tuminello. 

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