Greetings from the Dean
In the academic life, summer months are often a time of transition. We accept new positions and responsibilities within our departments; we graduate and move on to PhD programs or into our professional careers; many of us participate in summer classes and research opportunities. For me, this summer brings new challenges and excited anticipation for the upcoming year. On June 1, I began my tenure as Dean of Graduate Studies in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences!
For those who do not know me, let me give a brief overview of my background. I’ve been a faculty member at Villanova for 20 years, and I am an associate professor in the Department of Communication. In my research, I study how media industries construct audiences as commodities as well as the resulting experiences of those audiences, with a focus on the experiences of children, people over the age of 50, the economically disadvantaged and African Americans. I have a passion for graduate education and was on the founding committee of the graduate program in Communication, serving as graduate program director from 2007 to 2011. I also serve on the University’s Institutional Review Board, which oversees all Villanova research involving human subjects to assure the protection of their rights and well-being.
In the coming months, I hope to get to know many of you and learn about what drives you to pursue graduate study at Villanova. In the meantime, I want to share with you a few themes that shape my vision for the future of graduate studies. First, I want to work to make a graduate degree normative. Students grow up dreaming about college. I want to expand the dream to include post-baccalaureate education. I want to ignite the spark of intellectual curiosity begun in the undergraduate classroom so that it becomes a burning passion for an intellectualism sorely missed in today’s national dialogue. I then want to offer graduate education as not only a means for professional success but a way to prepare for the lifelong learning necessary to be the change agents our world needs.
Next, I plan to engage meaningful community development. I would like to create a space where our graduate students exist on campus outside of their classrooms so that they can own the Villanova experience in the same way that our undergraduates do (both on campus and online). I would encourage an inclusive community along all lines of difference that further enhances the campus experience while preparing our students for increasingly diverse professional and academic worlds.
In addition, I would like to promote scholarship through greater faculty-student collaborations. We are a community of world-renowned teacher-scholars, and I plan to encourage innovative approaches to making what we do as scholars relevant outside of the walls of the ivory tower while mentoring our students to be pioneers on the frontier of twenty-first century research.
Again, this is merely a broad sketch of some of my guiding principles for graduate studies. I am very much looking forward to refining this vision by working with the outstanding students, faculty and staff in our college.
One final note, I would like to thank Christine Palus, PhD, for her five years of service as Graduate Dean. She has nurtured an exemplary graduate program, and I am honored to now build upon her accomplishments. She is already making an impact in her new role as Dean of the College of Professional Studies, and I wish her continued success!
- Emory Woodard, PhD, Dean of Graduate Studies, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Graduate Commencement 2019
Congratulations to the more than 300 doctoral and master's graduates from the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences! These students were celebrated at Villanova's Graduate Commencement Ceremony on May 18 on a picture-perfect day in Villanova Stadium. See the photos and video.
Psychology Outstanding Master's Thesis Award
Psychology master's graduate Erin Hughes '18 MS received the department's Ingeborg and Byron Ward Outstanding Thesis Award for her work studying "Preferences for Self-Expansion: The Implications for Romantic Relationships" at its annual Psi Chi dinner. Read more.
MSES Student's Land Use Prediction Paper Published
Events, Reminders and Tips
NOVA NETWORK - Villanova's Social and Professional Networking Platform
Through the Nova Network, you can find Villanovans in your industry and local area, discuss career-related topics and access resources for your professional development. You can sign up within a few minutes, and you can even use your LinkedIn account. Learn more.
NSF/STEM Fellowships Summer Support Programs - June 13, June 20, June 27, July 11, & July 18
Villanova's Center for Research & Fellowships (CRF) is offering free workshops to help you learn best practices in self-presentation, research plan development and application/proposal writing—both in the area of grants and in PhD program applications. CRF will be be hosting five four-hour workshops on Thursdays this summer (lunch and snacks provided!). Login to Handshake and search for "NSF/STEM Fellowships" or contact CRF via email, for more information.
Plan to Graduate in September? Apply by June 15
If you plan to complete your degree requirements and graduate this September, you must apply by June 15 to avoid the $100 late charge. Learn more about graduation procedures.
Handshake - Find a Job or Internship
Handshake is Villanova’s go-to resource for jobs, internships, events, and more! This mobile career management platform intuitively connects you to relevant opportunities based on your profile, interests and search activity. Through Handshake, you can apply for positions, explore companies and connections and sign up for career fairs and workshops all in one place. Learn more and sign up!
Big Interview - Online Job Interview Prep Now Available
Big Interview is an innovative online training system to help you prepare more effectively for a job interview. Improve your interview technique and build confidence with this new system, which features mock interviews at all experience levels for dozens of interviews, feedback on interview answers, training videos and answer-building tools. Register at villanova.biginterview.com.
Wildcat Wardrobe - Free Professional Attire
Did you know that Villanova's Career Center provides quality professional attire for interviews, career fairs or professional events? You are able select and try on clothing to take home free of charge. The Career Center is also always looking for donations of new or gently used professional attire. 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