GRAD CLAS NOTES

Like me, you probably took the image to the right for granted. Look a little closer and you will see the profound meaning that struck me. Villanova is more than a collection of buildings that straddle Lancaster Avenue. It is even more than the V’s we flash to show our school pride. Villanova is a community inspired by and dedicated to a common mission, the ideals of which are upheld by its members. Without those very real hands of support, the "Big V" would fall to the ground. The image reminds me of all the work that our students, faculty and staff do to kick off a new academic year.

In this issue of GRAD CLAS NOTES, you will read about two professors who were recognized for putting students first and making higher education more accessible. You will also see an extensive list of resources and opportunities available to graduate students, including a new Graduate Career Services website offered by our colleagues at the University Career Center.

I also want to highlight two opportunities for you to help lift each other up: our new Peer Mentorship program and Group Counseling sessions. After a pilot this past spring, we renewed our commitment to partner with The Reflect Organization to offer discussion groups to talk about topics ranging from challenges of the pandemic to work/life balance to career development and more. I am happy to report that we have trained 23 peer facilitators and are now setting up groups. You still have time to sign up to participate, so please check out the information below. We will be in touch soon with next steps! Again this year the Villanova Counseling Center will be offering group counseling sessions for graduate students. These sessions, led by a licensed psychologist, were popular last year, and we are proud to offer this resource.

Finally, please take note of the new COVID mitigation efforts, which include masking in classrooms and indoor public spaces and enhanced surveillance testing, even if you are vaccinated. If you are selected for testing, you are expected to comply with the request. These are simple steps we can take to help keep each other safe and lift up our Villanova community.

- Emory Woodard, PhD, Dean of Graduate Studies, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

Villanova recognizes and supports the unique career needs as you pursue new academic and career goals. With this in mind, the Career Center offers tailored advising and guidance as well as online resources that use the latest technology to network, polish your resume, search for jobs, prepare for an interview and more. Check out the video and visit the Graduate Career Services site to learn more.

Graduate Student Orientation

Last month's New Graduate Student Orientation was a live, virtual event hosted by the graduate deans in the College of Engineering, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, College of Nursing and Villanova School of Business. The Orientation website provides information about the many University-wide offices and resources that are available to all graduate students. You can also watch a recording of the event on the site.

COVID Mitigation Efforts

As Villanova President the Rev. Peter Donohue, OSA, announced last week, Villanova has enacted enhanced mitigation efforts to slow the spread of COVID-19 positive cases. The decision to put additional masking requirements in place was made to provide enhanced protection, while not restricting/limiting activities or gatherings.

• All community members, regardless of vaccination status, are asked to wear masks when inside classrooms and/or any campus buildings that are open to the public. Masks are not needed when eating or drinking; when alone in an office or private space; or when outdoors.
• Surveillance testing will now include a randomized sample of community members, regardless of vaccination status. Please visit the University COVID-19 Campus Information website for the latest information.

Peer Mentorship — Call for Participants

Peer mentorship offers students pursuing any graduate program in the College an opportunity to seek support from and offer support to their peers in the group. Discussion topics may include challenges around the pandemic, work/life balance, career development, networking and stress- and time-management. Groups will meet once a week or every-other-week depending upon the interest and will consist of between 5 and 12 members, with one peer-facilitator per group. Space is limited and will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Sign up to participate as a group member.

Group Counseling for Graduate Students

The University Counseling Center is pleased to offer a support group for Villanova University Graduate Students. Hosted by a licensed psychologist, this group will be an opportunity for students to share with each other about the challenges of pursuing a degree at the graduate level. The group will meet weekly prior to the start of 5 p.m. evening classes and continue for 10 weeks. Space is limited and will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Sign up to participate as a group member here.

Additional Student Emergency Support Available—HEERF III and Student Hardship Fund

Additional emergency grants are now available to students who are experiencing unexpected financial stresses due to the COVID-19 crisis. Grants are being funded in Fall 2021 by the federal government through the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) III and by the University’s Student Hardship Fund, made possible by institutional funds as well as generous donations from Villanova faculty, staff, alumni and parents. To help determine exceptional financial need, Villanova is requiring all students who are U.S. citizens and permanent residents to have a 2021-22 FAFSA on file. We encourage you to complete that as soon as possible, as it takes about 3-5 days for the University to receive the results of the FAFSA. Please visit the University’s HEERF III page for full eligibility requirements—which differ from the CARES Act and HEERF II—and directions on how to apply

Africana Studies Graduate Student Reading Group

Villanova’s Africana Studies Program is hosting a reading group on Blackness, humanity and animality this year and plans to meet about once a month. In the fall, the group will read Joshua Bennett’s Being Property Once Myself and, in the spring, Zakiyyah Jackson’s Becoming Human: Matter and Meaning in an Antiblack World. Copies of the books will be provided to participants. If you are interested in joining, email Africana Studies Director Vincent Lloyd, PhD. Meeting times will be determined by polling those interested.

Falvey Library Service Hours — Fall 2021

Fall Library service hours are: Monday through Thursday (8 a.m. until midnight); Friday (8 a.m. until 5 p.m.); Saturday (9 a.m. until 5 p.m.); Sunday (noon until midnight). Villanova students, faculty and staff may enter the Library building 24/7. A Wildcard is required to enter. Electronic collections (articles, e-books, and more) are accessible through the website 24/7. The library’s main collection, located on Falvey’s third and fourth floors, is now open to the University community after being closed due to COVID-19 restrictions. Falvey’s third and fourth floors are also available for quiet study.

Virtual Fall Career Fair — September 9

All Villanova students are invited to the Virtual Fall Career Fair, hosted on Handshake from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursday, September 9. This event by the Villanova University Career Center is the largest recruiting event of the year. Learn more and register.

CollegeFest Philadelphia - September 11 & 12

All weekend long, enjoy free museums, events, food, activities and SEPTA rides in Philadelphia! Visit the CampusPhilly website to see the more than 25 participating attractions and to sign up for free tickets.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Virtual Information Session — September 13

Diversity, equity and inclusion are integral components of the teaching and learning experience, and the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion works to address issues of equity and justice throughout our community. On Monday, September 13, at 11 a.m., join Terry Nance, PhD, Vice President for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and Chief Diversity Officer, for an information session and Q&A. Learn about DEI efforts at Villanova and how graduate students can get involved! Register for the session.

Upcoming Important Academic Calendar Dates and Deadlines

• September 15 - Last day to apply to graduate in December.
• October 11 - Fall recess begins (Campus students).
• October 13 - HRD and online MPA last day to register for Fall II classes.
• October 17 - HRD and online MPA last day of Fall I classes.
• October 18 - Classes begin after fall recess (Campus students). HRD and online MPA Fall II classes begin.
• October 24 - HRD and online MPA last day to drop with full refund.

• For a complete list of dates and deadlines please refer to the on-campus and online academic calendars.

University Information Technologies (UNIT) Virtual Information Session — September 16

On Thursday, September 16, from noon to 1:00 p.m., join UNIT to learn about resources and services available to graduate students! What is the Tech Zone? How do I use Blackboard? What Software is available? These questions and more will be addressed. Register for the session.

Virtual Challenge Course — September 23

On Thursday, September 23, from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., connect with fellow graduate students across the college with engaging and challenging activities. This session will be hosted via Zoom but is guaranteed to build community and connections amongst participants! Register for the event.

Villanova Theatre Presents White — September 23 - October 3

Villanova Theatre kicks off its 2021-2022 season, its first in the new Mullen Center for the Performing Arts, with White, written and directed by Villanova professor James Ijames. With a premise equal parts playful, prescient and preposterous, art imitates life (or is it the other way around?) in this comedy. Gus is an artist. Vanessa is an actress. When a major museum seeks to showcase diverse voices in their next exhibition, Gus enlists Vanessa’s help to create an audacious new artistic persona to get him in the show. This contemporary Frankenstein story gleefully skewers the modern monstrosities of racism, misogyny and cultural appropriation. Learn more and buy tickets.

Grad CLAS Fall Bash — September 24

It’s time to celebrate the fall season! We invite all Grad CLAS students, faculty and staff to join the Office of Graduate Studies for a fall bash in the Driscoll tent on Friday, September 24, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Please join us for great food and drink, and even better conversation, as we gather as a Grad CLAS community! In keeping with University COVID guidelines, we ask that you do not bring external guests. All attendees must be in compliance with the Villanova's vaccination policy. Please RSVP for the Bash.

Campus Challenge Course — September 25

On Saturday, September 25, from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., connect with fellow graduate students across the college by working together on physically and mentally challenging activities on the course! Register for the event.

Graduate Research Symposium — Submissions Due September 27

All Graduate CLAS students are invited to submit a video presentation to be considered to participate in our Research Symposium along with the recipients of our 2021 Summer Research Fellowship this fall! Our symposium will be held on Friday, November 12 from 1 to 4 p.m. in the Connelly Center. For this symposium we will be following the Three Minute Thesis (3MT) format, in which you can submit a three-minute video presenting your research. Students who are interested in presenting their research should complete this form by September 27 to be considered.

Email: gradinformation@villanova.edu
Website: gradartsci.villanova.edu
Location: Villanova University, Lancaster Avenue, Villanova, PA, United States
Phone: 610-519-7090
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VUGradStudies/
Twitter: @VUGradStudies