Congratulations, Class of 2025!

Dear CLAS Graduate Students, Faculty and Staff,

Congratulations! We’ve made it to the end of another very successful academic year. Over the past few weeks, I’ve had the great pleasure of joining many of you at recognition and awards ceremonies, research presentations, end-of-year gatherings, and countless (and very delicious) breakfasts, luncheons and dinners.

This is a time to take pride in all that we’ve accomplished, and I’m truly honored to have the opportunity to celebrate you. Despite the challenges facing higher education and our world, the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences graduate community continues to shine—with unity, care and a deep respect for one another. It’s that spirit that makes Villanova a truly remarkable place.

Commencement is a special time here, but while we celebrate, it’s important to take time to reflect. Graduating students: earning a master’s or doctoral degree is no small feat. It requires intellectual rigor, patience and creativity. You’ve challenged yourselves to contribute meaningful new ideas to your disciplines that will serve the betterment of our society. Do take a moment to savor what you have accomplished. Your achievements are a testament to your hard work and Villanova is proud to send you forward with the knowledge you’ve gained and values that define us around our collective pursuit of truth in community with, and empathy for, others.

To everyone in CLAS Graduate Studies, I extend a heartfelt thank you. Whether you contributed through teaching, research, mentorship, student support, or in many other ways, your collaborative efforts have helped shape our vibrant and compassionate community.

I hope to see some of you at commencement where I will wish you well in person. For those I miss, let me wish you a wonderful summer now.

With gratitude, 

Emory H. Woodard IV, PhD

Dean of Graduate Studies, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

Drew Doughan ’25 MA (second from left) and Nicole Roldan ’25 MA (third from left) joined graduate education leaders from across the country in Washington, D.C., on April 23 and 24 for the Council of Graduate Schools Advocacy Day, an opportunity for students and deans to meet with lawmakers and federal agency officials to advocate for issues impacting U.S. graduate education. They were joined by Emory Woodard, PhD, Dean of Graduate Studies for the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, as well as students and graduate deans from Penn State University and the University of Pittsburgh, among others. Their meetings ranged from large bipartisan discussions with Senate committees to smaller, localized talks with Pennsylvania representatives. Both students noted how receptive many lawmakers were—particularly when they shared personal stories and data about how federal policies directly impact graduate students. READ MORE

Students, scholars and theater professionals explored the theme, “Adaptation: Looking Back, Moving Forward” at the John and Joan Mullen Center for the Performing Arts on Friday, May 2. The day included a keynote conversation between Bess Rowen, PhD, assistant professor of Theatre at Villanova, and acclaimed playwright Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, whose own career has redefined what adaptation can look like in the American theater landscape. The symposium also served as a showcase for four Villanova graduate students (pictured, from left to right: Cas Corum '25 MA, Emily Mosset '25 MA, Grace Acquilano '25 MA and Sydney Marie Hughes '25 MA) during the Emerging Scholars Panel, a session that underscored how adaptation is a powerful lens for interrogating the present. READ MORE

Who really knows you better? Is it yourself, or the people around you? That question became the driving force behind a master’s thesis for Emily Pintarelli ’23 CLAS, ’24 MS, and one that earned her the 2025 Ingeborg L. and O. Byron Ward Outstanding Thesis Award from the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences at Villanova University. Her thesis, titled “Self-Other Knowledge Asymmetry for Autonomous Self-Direction and the Capacity for Intimacy,” investigates the accuracy of self-reports in personality assessment, especially when used in research on personality disorders. Performed in collaboration with Dr. John Kurtz, PhD, it builds on prior work by Ashmita Ghosh ’23 MS. READ MORE

Career Outcomes Survey

Please take a moment to participate in the Career Outcomes Survey! As a small token of appreciation for your participation, the Office of Graduate Studies is offering you a gold Villanova "V" lapel pin. Take a screenshot of the webpage indicating you have completed the survey and complete this pin request form.

Course Registration Is Open

Summer and fall course registration is open! Contact your program director or advisor for course and degree requirement information and for your pin to register in myNova, and be mindful of the add/drop deadlines posted on the academic calendars.

Summer Professional Development

The Office of Graduate Studies is supporting the summer professional development of our graduate students. Students may apply for funding to support activities that strengthen their professional profile and do not conflict with academic coursework. Activities must occur during the new fiscal year (June 1, 2025 to May 31, 2026) and awards will be based on demonstrated need and merit. All requests must be submitted prior to the activity, and students will be reimbursed for eligible expenses. Students can apply for the funds here.

Graduate Student Funding Opportunities  

Open Graduate Assistant, Tuition Scholar, and Graduate Assistant Hourly positions are posted online. New opportunities are being added regularly, so please visit the site often!

New and Returning Graduate Student Happy Hour Mixer and Campus Tour

Join the Graduate Student Senate (GSS) for the New and Returning Graduate Student Happy Hour Mixer and Campus Tour on Thursday, June 26. Kick things off with an optional campus tour starting at 3 p.m. at the Grad Center in Vasey Hall, followed by a relaxed happy hour from 4 to 6 p.m. in the Taleghani Family Lounge. This is a great chance for new and returning grad students to meet, mingle and enjoy a casual start to the semester.

The National Name Exchange

Are you interested in a PhD program after you complete your Master’s degree? The National Name Exchange (NNE) aims to expand access to graduate education for all students especially those students historically underrepresented in higher education including first-generation students, veterans, low-income students, rural students, students with disabilities, racial and ethnic minorities, specific genders in some fields, and other groups. Learn more here or email joyce.harden@villanova.edu.