Supporting Graduate Student Mental Health and Wellness
Welcome back and welcome to our new students starting this semester!
This week, we convened our spring semester meeting of department chairs, graduate faculty directors and graduate program staff. The bulk of that meeting involved a panel discussion about graduate student mental health and wellness. Representatives from the University Counseling Center, Learning Support Services, the Department of Education and Counseling, the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences and University General Counsel discussed University-wide initiatives to address what has become a growing concern in higher education. Across the country, reported cases of mental health issues among graduate students are growing. We want to be part of the solution to reverse this trend.
This panel is a first step in making sure our faculty and staff are aware of mental health concerns; equipped to recognize problems; and, if appropriate, refer students to the quality professional services that Villanova offers.
About those services ... I mentioned the University Counseling Center and Learning Support Services - these are wonderful resources that provide confidential services for students. In addition, we are sponsoring a Mental Wellness seminar with our friends in the College of Professional Studies on February 6 - see details in the Events section below. Villanova has a number of other ways to help cultivate wellness in our lives. For example, Campus Ministry offers a wealth of opportunities including retreats, worship and service programs. And don't forget about the University's numerous fitness and recreation opportunities, including access to the Davis Center, fitness classes and intramurals.
I encourage you to take advantage of these resources during your time at Villanova, and please know that your mental health and wellness is a priority for your professors and program staff. Wishing you continued success this semester!
- Emory Woodard, PhD, Dean of Graduate Studies, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
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Associate Professor Daniel A. Kraut, PhD, was awarded a $579,508 NSF grant to study proteasome function in cells, which has been implicated in many diseases, including cancer and heart disease. Read more.
New Assistant Director of Graduate Studies Driven by Passion to Serve
Events, Reminders and Tips
3MT® Information Session - January 29
On Wednesday, January 29, at 5 p.m. in the Cinema in the Connelly Center, join the Dean of Graduate Studies for an information session about the College's inaugural Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) competition this spring. You will learn more about the background of the event, next steps for submitting your video and the final live competition. First place, second place and audience choice winners will receive cash prizes. Dinner will be provided at the session! Learn more about 3MT®.
Villanova Theatre Presents: Hookman—An Existential Slasher Comedy - January 30 - February 2
Freshman year at college is hard when your roommate is weird, you’re homesick and a hook-handed serial killer is slashing girls’ throats. But if Lexi can discover what really happened to her high school best friend, everything will be okay. Hookman, on stage at Vasey Studio, is an existential slasher comedy that is sure to leave you on the edge of your seat. Make plans to see this production performed and produced by VU graduate students! Get tickets.
Masculinities Symposium 2020 - January 31
Villanova is hosting its first Masculinities Symposium on Friday, January 31 at The Inn at Villanova. This free and public event will showcase Villanova faculty and graduate student research on Masculinity Studies. Registration and breakfast will begin at 8:30 a.m., with the first lecture starting at 9 a.m. The event will run until 5 pm. Lunch is included. Please preregister for the symposium.
Summer Research Fellowships - Applications Due February 1
Graduate students in CLAS are encouraged to apply for a summer fellowship to support their research. For details regarding eligibility requirements, criteria, how to apply, deadline for proposals and review process, faculty evaluation of the project, and award recipients, please visit the Graduate Summer Research Fellowship page.
Women in Tech Conference - February 1
The fifth annual VU Women in Tech Conference will take place on Saturday, February 1, at The Inn at Villanova, from 8:30 a.m. until 3 p.m. Open to all interested to learn, lead, inspire and imagine with tech. Breakout sessions on analytics, voice AI and cloud computing with hands-on workshops featuring Alteryx and Airtable. Keynotes by alumna Nance Dicciani and author Virginia Eubanks. Free professional headshots, breakfast, lunch and a networking reception to celebrate five years of progress. Register for the event.
Publish Your Work in CONCEPT - Submissions Due February 3
CONCEPT is the interdisciplinary journal of CLAS Graduate Studies at Villanova University. The journal is now accepting article submissions through February 3. In addition, students are encouraged to apply to be editors and peer-reviewers. Visit the CONCEPT website to learn more.
Spring 2020 Career Fairs - February 4 and 5
Don’t miss the upcoming career fairs, which are industry specific by date and time. Industry-specific career fairs will be focused on employers in Communication, Marketing and Media (February 4, 10 a.m – 1 p.m.), Finance, Accounting and Consulting (February 4, 3 – 6 p.m.), and Engineering, Science and Technology (February 5, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.). You can use the filters in Handshake to identify employers seeking master’s level students. Register and learn more.
Mental Wellness for Graduate and Professional Students - February 6
On Thursday, February 6 at 6 p.m. in the first floor student lounge in Vasey Hall (Rm. 102), join Julia Stein, PhD, Associate Director and Licensed Psychologist in the University Counseling Center, for a presentation and discussion about mental well-being for graduate and professional students. Light refreshments will be provided. Registration requested for this event.
Waterhouse Family Institute Transit Talks Lecture - February 6
Alienizing Nation: HIV/AIDS and the Rhetoric of Quarantine, Ban, and Resistance
Sponsored by Villanova University's Waterhouse Family Institute and Temple University's Klein College of Media and Communication, Villanova welcomes renowned scholar Karma R. Chávez, PhD, Associate Professor in the Department of Mexican American and Latina/o Studies at the University of Texas - Austin, for a free, public lecture on Thursday, February 6 from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. in the Garey Hall Cafe. Learn more.
CLAS Graduate Studies
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