Strengthening our Graduate Experience
This week I have been meeting with graduate program directors from across the College to learn more about their programs and discuss the graduate student experience at Villanova. While our disciplines are all unique, our conversations often yield a striking number of similarities when it comes to how to best support our graduate students. Please know that our faculty are deeply committed to your success as a scholar and professional, and we constantly strive to make this outstanding academic community even better.
This issue of Grad CLAS Notes highlights a number of valuable events and resources for graduate students, including the Career Fair, the Graduate Research Symposium and the Center for Research and Fellowships – I encourage you to take advantage of the many resources at Villanova! While the University has much to offer, we want do more to support and grow graduate education. That's why I was excited to learn that graduate education is a significant area of focus in Villanova's new Strategic Plan. You can learn more about this ambitious vision for our future below.
One final event that I wish to highlight is 1842 Day on September 17. This is Villanova's annual day of giving, an event designed, primarily, to promote alumni participation. I bring this up not to solicit a gift, but to point out the Villanova community's investment in your success. A significant proportion of the dollars raised goes directly to supporting graduate and undergraduate students. If you are so inclined, you can even watch me on Facebook Live at 3:30 p.m. on 1842 Day talking about the important role that philanthropy plays in graduate studies at Villanova. I’d love for you to watch and let me know how I do!
- Emory Woodard, PhD, Dean of Graduate Studies, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Environmental Science Teams Study Impact of Hurricane Maria on Streamwater in Puerto Rico
Steven Goldsmith and Lisa Rodrigues, associate professors of Environmental Science at Villanova, and a team of graduate students are testing water quality in Puerto Rico and evaluating how stream chemistry has changed post-Maria. The research is part of master’s student Erin Sibert’s thesis. Read more.
CLAS Podcast Explores Intersection of Youth and Identity
From researching psychological maturity to creating an intervention curriculum for first-gen college students, Villanova teams are exploring topics at the intersection of youth and identity. In this new podcast series, meet the faculty and students, including Adrena Williams ’19 MA, Theatre, and Jose Diaz ’19 MS, Counseling, at the forefront of these timely topics. Listen now.
Villanova's Strategic Plan 2020-2030
Events, Reminders and Tips
Villanova University Fall Career Fair - September 11
Did you know that 50 of 185 employers who will be attending the Fall Career Fair on Wednesday, September 11 want to talk with current graduate students and experienced-level candidates? Stellar firms include: KPMG, CSL Behring, Goldman Sachs, 3M, Lockheed Martin and more. The Fall Career Fair will be held on Wednesday, September 11, 4—7 p.m., in the Finneran Pavilion. Learn more and register.
Graduate Research Symposium - September 13
The first CLAS Graduate Research Symposium will be held on Friday, September 13 from 1 to 4 p.m. in the Presidents' Lounge in the Connelly Center. Graduate students who participated in the Summer Research Fellowship will present their work with either an oral presentation or poster display. This event is a great opportunity to support your colleagues and see the depth and breadth of scholarship in the College. See the schedule and program.
Don’t Lose Your You-ness in Grad School: Grad Student Retreat - September 14
Come and enjoy a day with other graduate students to get to know new people, relax and have fun, grow in your spirituality, and reflect on your journey that led you to Villanova. The retreat will be held at St. Raphaela Center in Haverford on Saturday, September 14. Learn more and register.
Graduating this Winter? - Apply by September 15
If you plan to graduate in December 2019, you must apply by September 15, 2019. Please visit the Commencement Information page to review the graduation application requirements and procedures.
Volunteer for the St. Thomas of Villanova Day of Service - September 21
St. Thomas of Villanova was known for his great charity to the poor and marginalized. The Villanova community celebrates its patron saint and his legacy of Caritas – Love – with an annual Day of Service in his name. Each year, the St. Thomas of Villanova Day of Service brings together nearly 5,000 students, faculty, staff, alumni and their families working in partnership with neighborhood agencies to perform service throughout Greater Philadelphia.
Register as a volunteer and join fellow graduate students, faculty and staff! Be sure to choose the group “Graduate Arts and Sciences” when you register!
Upcoming Important Academic Calendar Dates
- Deadline to apply for December Graduation—9/15
- Deadline to apply for the Comprehensive Examination—9/23
- Last Day for Authorized Withdrawal without Academic Penalty (WX) for on campus students—11/15
For a complete list of dates and deadlines please refer to the on-campus and online academic calendars.
Villanova Theatre Presents Orlando - September 25—October 6
See your Grad CLAS colleagues in Villanova Theatre's this captivating adaptation of Virginia Woolf’s masterpiece. After awakening from a seven-day slumber, Orlando finds himself transformed into a woman and must navigate society, artistry and desire from an entirely new perspective. This fantastical, gender-bending, period-hopping parable explores what it means to live in our own skin and in our own time. Receive discounted tickets with valid university ID, and the second Tuesday of each run is free for Villanova students. Get tickets.
Graduate Student Lounge - Access 24/7
Remember, all graduate students in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences can use their Wildcard to access the lounge in Old Falvey, Room 306. This space is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
NOVA NETWORK - Villanova's Social and Professional Networking Platform
Join more than 16,000 Villanovans on the Nova Network — Villanova University's Social and Professional Network. Check out this quick video to see how it works. Through the Nova Network, you can:
- Connect with Villanovans in your company, industry or city of interest
- Direct message professionals and set up phone, video chat, or in-person meetings
- Learn more about industries, initiate conversations and arrange job shadows
- Engage and take part in industry, affinity and regional discussions
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