First, I wish to extend a warm welcome to all of 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, simply reply to this email or write gradinformation@villanova.edu and let us know you want to stay on the list.

To our new students this year - I strongly encourage you to join us for our University-wide live, virtual Graduate Student Orientation on Tuesday, August 16. You can find registration information in this newsletter, and you should have received an invitation in your email. Orientation is a great way to set yourself up for success as a graduate student.

Throughout the year, we will have a number of events, both on campus and online, to help you socialize and take advantage of the many resources that Villanova has to offer. Thank you for choosing to be part of this vibrant academic community. I look forward to what I expect to be a fantastic fall semester!

Associate Professor Alexander Diaz-Lopez, PhD, has been named principal investigator on a two-year, $249,937 National Science Foundation Launching Early-Career Academic Pathways in the Mathematical and Physical Sciences grant. The grant will support Dr. Diaz-Lopez’s project, “Combinatorics from an Algebraic and Geometric Lens,” and support a collaborative summer research program between students from Villanova University and the University of Puerto Rico  READ MORE

Gerald J. Beyer, PhD, professor of Theology and Religious Studies, has been named the 2022 recipient of the College Theology Society’s Monika K. Hellwig Award for Excellence in Teaching, which recognizes the importance of teaching and honors outstanding teachers in the field. The award is named for the late renowned scholar and teacher Monika K. Hellwig, PhD, and recognizes development of innovative and/or exceptionally effective teaching methods, commitment to professional identity as a teacher of Theology and outstanding performance as a classroom teacher. READ MORE

In her new book, How to Do Things with Dead People: History, Technology, and Temporality from Shakespeare to Warhol, Villanova English Professor Alice Dailey, PhD, offers a study of Shakespeare’s English history plays that initiates a radical break from the interpretive practices that have dominated literary criticism for the past several decades. While those practices have traditionally prioritized the historical context from which a literary artifact emerges, Dr. Dailey’s book expands the plays’ context beyond the conditions of Shakespeare’s England, allowing readers to consider them among human contrivances for representing and relating to the dead. READ MORE

Please be advised that all students, faculty and staff, including new incoming graduate students, are required to have completed the primary series of the COVID-19 vaccine. The University recommends that all new students also receive a COVID-19 booster, but a booster is not required at this time. The vaccine requirement applies to all students who are enrolled in any in-person class for the 2022-2023 academic year. Learn more about the University's COVID policies.

All new graduate students are encouraged to attend the University-wide, live, virtual Graduate Student Orientation from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, August 16. New students can register using their application login credentials. Orientation will feature presentations from key University leaders who will welcome incoming graduate students and introduce important resources for graduate study at Villanova. Learn more.

All graduate students, faculty and staff are invited to attend the university-wide Graduate Community Welcome Picnic from 4 to 7 p.m. on Friday, August 26 in the tent next to Driscoll Hall. Enjoy great free food and drink to kick off the fall semester. We hope to see you there!

The Nova Network is Villanova’s professional network and home to 20,000+ alumni, students, faculty and staff. Grad students may search the community for potential alumni contacts by company, city or industry of interest and directly connect for informational interviews and advice. See how easily you can direct message and schedule a meeting with alumni in a variety of industries and locations in this 3-minute walkthrough video.

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. You can also make appointments to meet with Villanova Career Development staff. Learn more.

Villanova University has joined Interstride, a job search tool for international students providing job and internship postings from employers that focus on hiring international students, as well as networking and mentorship opportunities, visa and immigration support services and more! Explore Interstride.