GRAD CLAS NOTES

When I began in my role as Dean of Graduate Studies, one of my goals was to improve the graduate student experience at Villanova. I knew that program directors, faculty and staff worked hard to create a supportive community within our academic disciplines. How could I help foster a culture in which students felt supported, empowered and connected across the College and even the University? What were the most pressing issues we faced? This year in particular, the weight of the pandemic revealed that we need to do a better job of supporting student mental health.

This past fall, I participated in a virtual workshop on student mental health hosted by the Council of Graduate Schools. From that workshop we developed a statement of principles and commitments, Supporting Mental Health and Wellbeing of Graduate Students. Later this month, I will be serving on a CGS panel to discuss the progress we have made and the continuing challenges that we face. While acknowledging that we have a long way to go, we have taken a number of significant steps, including:

• Conducting a University-wide survey to assess the mental wellness of our graduate community.
• Partnering with the College of Professional Studies to develop a series of mental health workshops geared toward graduate and adult learners.
• Initiating a group counseling program in partnership with University Counseling Center.
• Working with The Reflect Organization to create a new peer mentorship program for graduate students. If you would like to participate or serve as a group facilitator, you can learn more about this initiative below.

I note these accomplishments with the understanding that this work is never done. Please know that the Villanova faculty and staff are committed to your wellbeing. In this issue of the newsletter, you can learn more about a number of mental health, career development and community-building events and resources.

This week brings us our first glimpse of spring weather, please make some time to get out there and enjoy it, for the good of your physical and mental health.

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

The Graduate Studies Office is pleased to offer a new peer mentoring program for graduate students. We have partnered with The Reflect Organization, a mental wellness nonprofit with college and university chapters around the country, dedicated to empowering students to foster a culture of authenticity, self-love and allyship on campus. As we all know, graduate school can be stressful. Increased academic rigor coupled with other life demands can be challenging. The year 2020 and its aftermath certainly did not help. This program 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/every-other-week and will consist of between 5 and 12 members, with one peer-facilitator per group. Training will be provided. If you are interested in signing up to be a group facilitator, or to participate in a group, please sign up here, or click the "Sign Up Here" button in the attached flyer.

Coping with COVID-19: Discussion Groups and Listening Circles - March 8 - April 16

The University Counseling Center and Office of Health Promotion are hosting a series of events in which participants may share experiences. Topics include: I Had COVID; Handling Unpredictability During COVID-19; Managing Stress During COVID-19; For International Students: Far from Home—How COVID-19 Is Affecting Me; You Are or Have Been in Quarantine or Isolation: Facing Being Alone; Relationships Challenges During COVID-19; Procrastination: During COVID-19, and more, including non-themed listening circles. Learn more and register.

Graduate Career Services for CLAS Students - March 9, 10 & 11

Take a tour of the new Graduate Career Services site with Sheila Doherty, Director for Experienced Career Services. Learn about the tools, coaching and workshops that are available to you throughout your time at Villanova and beyond. Cutting edge resources are both live and on-demand. If you can’t make your discipline’s session, feel free to join in on another.

• Social Sciences: Tuesday, March 9 at noon. Register.
• Humanities: Wednesday, March 10 at noon. Register.
• Natural Sciences: Thursday, March 11 at noon. Register.

Upcoming Important Academic Calendar Dates and Deadlines

• Mar. 10 - Summer Class registration begins
• Mar. 20 - Last day to register for Commencement and order cap and gown
• Apr. 2 - Easter Recess - No Classes
• Apr. 7 - Last Day for Authorized Withdrawal (WX) (excluding MPA online and HRD)
• April 18 - Spring II MPA online and HRD Last Day for Authorized Withdrawal (WX)
• April 20 - Fall 2021 Class registration begins (excluding MPA online and HRD)
• Apr. 23 - Thesis/Dissertation Due
• May 2 - Spring II MPA online and HRD Final Day of Classes
• May 3 - Final Day of Classes
• May 5 - 11 - Final Examinations
• May 13 - 15 - Commencement

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

Graduate Student Council Presents: Clip It! - Entries Due March 13

Are you the super chill grad type who is always on top of their assignments and readings? Or are you the type who is constantly stressed-out no matter what? Or do you fluctuate between the two depending on the day? Whichever it is, we would love for you to share your experience. Whether a day in your VU grad life is a comedy, parody, satire or straight-up-tragedy-featuring-never-ending-assignments, we are all ears. Send us your most creative 60-second clips documenting a day in your life and compete for prizes while sharing some laughs with your cohort. Video submissions can be uploaded here.

GWS Women's History Month Events - March 16, 23 & 31

The Gender and Women's Studies Program is hosting a series of events during Women's History month, including: “Gender in American Literature and Culture,” featuring English professors Drs. Jean Lutes and Travis Foster on March 16 at 7:30 p.m.; “The Micropolitics of Recognition and Care,” with Sociology & Criminology professor Dr. Ken Sun on March 23 at noon; and "Beyond the Average: How Parenthood, Women’s Employment, and Occupational Segregation Shape the Gender Pay Gap," on March 31 at 2 p.m. Register for an event.

Tap into the Power of the Nova Network - March 18

Would you like to connect with a professional in a particular company, industry or city to learn more about their career? Start with the Nova Network, where thousands of Villanova alumni, parents, friends and students are gathered to promote one another’s professional development. Nova Network has a response rate ten times higher than LinkedIn. On Thursday, March 18 at 2 p.m., hear from Cayla Carter, Specialist, Experienced Career Services, who will take you through a tour of the platform just for graduate students. Register.

The 25th Annual Philosophy Conference at Villanova University: "Phenomenology and Its Worlds" - March 19-20

Organized by the Villanova Philosophy Graduate Student Union and featuring keynotes by Alia Al-Saji (McGill University), “Touching the Wounds of Colonial Duration: Fanon and a Critical Phenomenology of Racialized Affect,” and Megan Craig (Stony Brook University),

“Patterns of Disregard: Lugones, James, and the Limits of World-Travelling.” Learn more and register.

Nail Your Virtual Interview - March 25

You’ve landed the interview. Now what? Never fear. Villanova has resources to guide you through the process of a virtual interview. On Thursday, March 25 at 1 p.m., learn from Meredith Okenquist ’96, Career Transitions Coach, about how to utilize The Big Interview to practice for your interview from the comfort of your device. Meredith will also cover how to research and prepare, how to design your answers, and how to follow up with your new employer to leave a lasting impact. You’ll also learn about other virtual tools to use leading up to the interview process. Register.

Learning Support Services Workshop: Understanding the Value of Self-Care - March 25

Do you ever find it challenging to implement self-care as a busy graduate student? In this workshop at 3 p.m. on Thursday, March 25, we will discuss signs of stress and burnout, how the pandemic has impacted our self-care, self-care tips and strategies, and how to create a self-care plan. Learn more.

Villanova Three Minute Thesis (3MT) Virtual Competition - March 26

Three Minute Thesis (3MT) is a competition for master’s and doctoral students to develop and showcase their research communication skills. To be successful, competitors must effectively explain their research in three minutes to a non-specialist audience. This year, Villanova will be hosting its virtual 3MT competition on Friday, March 26. Learn more about 3MT.

Summer Studio in Irish Theatre - Accepting Applications until April 1

Study in Dublin and Galway!
Graduate students from all disciplines are encouraged to apply for this three-week study abroad opportunity. Students will study the workings and history of Ireland's world-class national theatre while developing their own theatre skills, knowledge and practice. The experience will culminate in a showing of final work at the Lir, Ireland's National Academy of Dramatic Art and guided by Abbey Theatre professionals. Learn more about the program.

Mindfulness Mondays

Falvey Library invites the Villanova Community to mindfulness meditation on Mondays from 1- 1:30 p.m. during the spring semester. Mindfulness Mondays offer a virtual, comfortable space where you are guided and encouraged to stop and focus on the “here and now.” Mindfulness is proven to reduce stress and enhance well-being, which can be beneficial to all faculty, staff and students. Learn more.

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