Welcome to all of our new students joining us this semester and welcome back to those returning from a well-deserved winter break!

The celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. this week provided an opportunity for me to reflect on what his legacy means for us in graduate programs at Villanova University. A legacy of compassion and service, of course, and volunteers from across the University participated in our 16th annual MLK Day of Service on Monday to honor and continue that legacy. I also reflected on his legacy as an unflinching radical agent of change in our world. This piece in The Hill reminds us of that radical legacy and Dr. King's thoughts on the purpose of education. Dr. King valued "intelligence plus character" and sought to bring people together from diverse backgrounds in pursuit of a higher truth.

How can we honor Dr. King's legacy here at Villanova? I challenge us to focus on building an inclusive community united in pursuing the truth of our ideals. Indeed, our Augustinian values remind us that the only way to reach the truth is with each other. Let's work together to ignite positive change in our world.

This issue of Grad CLAS Notes offers a multitude of ways to get involved and build that community. As we get back into the rhythms of another academic term, I encourage you to explore these opportunities to enrich your Villanova experience.

Theology doctoral student Trevor Williams was recently honored by the Society for the Study of Christian Spirituality with its Founder's Circle Prize, which recognizes emerging scholars in the discipline. Williams was invited to present his paper at the American Academy of Religion (AAR) Annual Meetings this past November in Denver. READ MORE

Emory H. Woodard IV, PhD, Dean of Graduate Studies in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS), has recently accepted advisory roles with two organizations that have important connections to graduate education. Dean Woodard was named to the Executive Committee of the Northeastern Association of Graduate Schools (NAGS), which is the regional association of the broader Council of Graduate Schools (CGS). He also joined the Advisory Committee for the Duolingo English Test, which is used to evaluate the language proficiency of international candidates for admission to universities in English-speaking countries. READ MORE

Is graduate school worth the debt? A recent study by The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) shows that, in many cases, it is. In fact, the two Villanova College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS) graduate programs included in the study, Human Resource Development and Public Administration, show a strong income-to-debt ratio, meaning that the median income of graduates far exceeds the median debt incurred during their studies. READ MORE

Are you outgoing, motivated and want to make the most of your Villanova experience? Do you want to meet fellow graduate students, speak to prospective students and share your “Why Villanova?” story? If so, apply to be a Graduate Student Ambassador! GS Ambassadors are volunteers who assist the Graduate Studies office with events and initiatives to help recruit new students and build community amongst our current graduate students. Learn more and apply.

Learn about one of the most exciting research competitions for graduate students at this virtual information session at noon on Friday, January 20. Join Dr. Mike Westrate and Emily McCloskey of the Grad Center to learn about this fun competition and how you can get prepared. Did we mention that there are cash prizes for 3MT? Villanova is hosting its annual 3MT competition on Friday, February 24. Learn more and register.

New this semester, the Grad Center is hosting a monthly Happy Hour for grad and law students at Gullifty’s every third Friday of the month from 4 to 6 p.m. Appetizers provided courtesy of the Grad Center and drink specials available to students for purchase. Don’t miss the first happy hour of the semester by connecting with your fellow grad and law students at Gullifty’s while watching Villanova Men’s Basketball match up against St. Johns. Please register to help estimate an accurate food count.

Beginning on Tuesday, January 24 from 5 to 6 p.m., Campus Ministry will be offering a weekly virtual faith sharing opportunity for graduate and law students to gather and build community. Facilitators will use poetry, nature, art and sacred texts to help reflect upon and share experiences, beliefs and questions with one another. Students of all programs, religious backgrounds and ethical traditions are welcome and encouraged to join. Join the Zoom session here. Contact Brian McCabe to express interest or get more information.

All graduate students are invited to submit papers or alternative forms of expression (scripts, poetry, films) to the 33rd Annual Villanova Gender and Women's Studies Conference. Essays and creative work must engage gender, sexuality or feminist theories. Submissions are due Thursday, January 26. The conference will take place on February 10 in the Connelly Center and will feature a keynote address by Emma Heaney of New York University. Learn more about the conference and paper submissions.

On Saturday, January 28 at The Inn at Villanova, learn about the infinite possibilities to make the world more sustainable and just with data and technology. Topics range from VR in support of diversity training, smart cities, tech for social good, a documentary on the “lost women coders” of ENIAC (the first computer that still sits at the University of Pennsylvania), and data visualizations that informed us during the pandemic. Attend and you will have the chance to ask questions, listen to shared experiences, find new opportunities, and be encouraged to participate in tech. All are welcome and at no cost. Shuttles will be available all day between The Inn and campus. Learn more and register.

If you plan to graduate in May 2023, you must apply by January 31. Please visit the Applying for Graduation page to review the graduation application requirements and procedures.

Attention December 2022 graduates! Please take a few moments to fill out the Graduate Outcomes Survey. This outcomes data is of critical importance to us in assessing how we did in our efforts to provide a robust graduate education experience. Students who complete the survey by January 31, 2023, will have a chance to win one of two Villanova diploma frames!

Graduate students in CLAS are encouraged to apply for a summer fellowship to support their research. Awards are made on a competitive basis in the amount of $3,000 for master's students and $4,000 for doctoral students for work in June, July and August. For details regarding eligibility requirements, criteria, how to apply, deadline for proposals and review process, faculty evaluation of the project, and award recipients, please visit the Graduate Summer Research Fellowship page.

CONCEPT – Papers Due February 1

CONCEPT, the interdisciplinary journal of CLAS graduate students, is now accepting article submissions. The author of the best article in the 2023 issue will receive the Graduate Student Research Prize. The deadline for submission is Wednesday, February 1, 2023. Submissions should be based on material that has been researched as part of graduate work at Villanova. Authors should register on the CONCEPT website and follow the instructions there for posting their submission. (An author may submit no more than one article for consideration.) Any questions should be directed to faculty editor, Dr. John Kurtz.

CONCEPT Peer Reviewers Needed

CONCEPT is a graduate student-run publication. Given the breadth of the graduate programs and to ensure fair review of submissions, it is vitally important to have editors and reviewers representing as many disciplines as possible. Those interested in serving as an editor or as a peer-reviewer should contact faculty editor Dr. John Kurtz directly. Volunteers to serve as editors should include a list of their known regular time commitments for Spring semester.

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 3MT competition on Friday, February 24, 2023. Cash prizes are awarded for first and second places and for audience choice. The deadline for video entries is Monday, February 6. Learn more about 3MT.

Campus Ministry and Falvey Library invite the Villanova community to join them for a taste of mindfulness meditation every Monday from 1 to 1:30 p.m. on Zoom. Mindfulness Mondays offers 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. Registration is not required, all are welcome! Learn more.

New location and extended hours! Looking for a place to study? A place to connect with other graduate students? A time an place to reserve to study or write? The Grad Center offers St. Mary's Hall Room 110 each Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Coffee, tea, and snacks provided!