Kicking Off the 2024-2025 Academic Year!

Welcome to all the new students who have joined our graduate programs for the upcoming fall semester! GRAD CLAS NOTES is our monthly newsletter in which we share academic news and important dates and deadlines, as well as research and enrichment opportunities that you may find helpful as a graduate student. We hope this communication helps connect you to our community.

For students who have graduated this year, this issue marks your last edition of the newsletter. If you wish to continue to receive it, and have not yet done so, please reply to this email or write to gradinformation@villanova.edu and let us know you want to stay on the list.

New students - I encourage you to join us this Tuesday, August 20 for our virtual Graduate Student Orientation. You can find registration information below. Orientation begins with a University-wide session followed by breakout Q & A session for CLAS students. Last week, you should have received a series of emails with short videos to view before Orientation. These are also listed below and are great refreshers for returning students, as well. I am looking forward to the Graduate Belonging and Inclusion Picnic on Friday, August 30 and the Graduate Student Community Kick-Off Picnic on Friday, September 6. These events are for all graduate students, faculty and staff.

From all of us in the Office of Graduate Studies, welcome and welcome back! I look forward to seeing you online or on campus soon!

Master's students in Theology at Villanova University are dedicated scholars who explore how faith engages culture in the church and world today. These recent Theology master’s graduates, Theresa Gardner ’24 MA, Dane Litchfield ’24 MTS and Matthew Zanowic ’24 MA, are traveling diverse pathways to serve their communities and lead important theological scholarship. READ MORE

This summer, Villanova Theatre graduate student Grace Acquilano participated in the prestigious Irish Summer Studio at The Lir National Academy of Dramatic Art at Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland. This three-week intensive program begins in Galway, Ireland, where students can conduct independent research on a chosen topic using the Abbey Theatre archives at the University of Galway library. The course culminates in three major writing assignments: an artist’s reflection, a performance review of a production currently playing in Ireland and a final research paper. READ MORE

More than 10,000 athletes from 206 nations competed in the Games of the XXXIII Olympiad, the third Olympics in Paris and the first since 1924. Villanova University faculty members, including Alyssa Stark, PhD, Assistant Professor of Biology, who discusses sustainable infrastructure, provided their academic expertise on the unique storylines and narratives at the Paris 2024 competition. READ MORE

New Graduate Student Virtual Orientation – August 20

The New Graduate Student Orientation will be held at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, August 20. This live, virtual event is hosted by the Villanova University Center for Graduate Research and Education and the graduate deans in the College of Engineering, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, College of Nursing and Villanova School of Business. The event features presentations from key University leaders who will welcome incoming graduate students and introduce important resources for graduate study at Villanova. Please register for Orientation using your application portal login.

Graduate Belonging and Inclusion Welcome Picnic – August 30

Join the Office of Graduate Studies and the Office of Belonging and Inclusion for an afternoon of good food, great conversation, music and the chance to build lasting friendships! The Graduate Belonging and Inclusion Welcome Picnic takes place on Friday, August 30 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Rowen Campus Green located at the center of campus between Corr Hall and Alumni Hall. This event is an opportunity to come together, connect and celebrate the diversity that enriches our community. Whether you’re a new student or returning for another year, we want you to feel at home here. All graduate students, faculty and staff are welcome! Learn more and register.

Graduate Student Community Kick-Off Picnic – September 6

All members of the graduate student community are invited to attend a kick-off picnic for the new year! The picnic will be held from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday, September 6 on campus at the Riley Ellipse and area in front of upper level Connelly Center. Build community with graduate students, faculty and staff while eating delicious food and enjoying cold beverages. University offices and graduate student groups will also host information tables to help you get acquainted with the many resources and opportunities available for graduate students.

St. Thomas of Villanova Day of Service – September 7

Graduate students are strongly encouraged to participate in one of Villanova’s best traditions, the St. Thomas of Villanova Day of Service on Saturday, September 7. Each year, the St. Thomas of Villanova Day of Service brings together more than 5,000 students, faculty, staff, alumni and their families working in partnership with neighborhood agencies to perform service throughout Greater Philadelphia. Please select the “Graduate and Law Student Group.” Learn more and register.

We Search Together: Graduate Student Retreat – September 14

Meet your Villanova peers, reflect on who you are and how you are growing, and develop supportive relationships at this retreat for graduate students from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, September 14 at Picotte Hall at Dundale. You will hear from current students, share in small groups and learn how Villanova’s Augustinian tradition can invite and encourage us all as We Search Together. This event is sponsored by Campus Ministry and the Grad Center and is open to participants of any faith or no faith tradition. Learn more and register.

Off-Campus Housing

Looking for a new place to live? In search of a roommate? Check out Villanova’s Off-Campus Housing website to access map-based housing search, roommate finder, sublet options and other important resources.

Graduate Student Funding Opportunities and Job Listings

Are you looking for an hourly position on campus in the summer or fall? Check out the Graduate Student Funding Opportunities page for current openings for a variety of funding opportunities across campus as well as the Villanova Jobs Portal for upcoming campus positions!

Career Services for Graduate Students 

Villanova recognizes and supports the unique career needs of graduate students as they 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, job search, prepare for an interview and more. Learn more about Graduate Career Services.

Handshake – The Villanova Job Resource

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 about Handshake.