GRAD CLAS NOTES
November 2023
Supporting Your Research and Scholarship

On October 27, the CLAS Office of Graduate Studies hosted its annual Fall Research Symposium, at which students gave either Three Minute Thesis-style oral presentations or presented research posters. The symposium was a wonderful event that highlighted the outstanding and diverse scholarship being conducted by graduate students in the College.

Many of the students who presented were awarded Summer Research Fellowships from our office, one of several resources we offer including conference travel funding, language workshops and our interdisciplinary journal CONCEPT. Partners across the University are also here to support your work including the Center for Research and Fellowships and our new neighbor, the Center for Graduate Research and Education, which offers a wide range of programming including writing groups, virtual and in-person workshops, and opportunities for graduate students from all colleges to connect and socialize.

As graduate students, you are integral to the University's pursuit of knowledge and its mission to apply that research to better our world. You partner with faculty to produce groundbreaking work, and you launch new inquiries that encourage us to explore new ways of thinking. During this time of Thanksgiving, I am grateful for all that you contribute to Villanova's unique academic enterprise.

One final note ... if you have not yet heard, the CLAS Office of Graduate Studies and the Grad Center have moved to a beautiful new space in Vasey Hall, which includes a new graduate student lounge. Please be on the lookout for information about an Open House event in January. We cannot wait to celebrate the opening of this new resource with you.

Wishing you a safe and happy Thanksgiving and a successful finish to your fall semester!






Emory H. Woodard IV, PhD, Dean of Graduate Studies, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Graduate Studies News
Fall 2023 Graduate Research Symposium
The Fall 2023 Graduate Research Symposium highlighted the outstanding and diverse scholarship being conducted by graduate students in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Students gave either Three Minute Thesis-style oral presentations in the East Lounge in Dougherty Hall or presented posters in the Connelly Center Art Gallery. READ MORE
MPA Grad Honored with CLAS Graduate Alumni Medallion
Latesha D. Beasley '14 MPA has deep professional roots in the nonprofit and educational sectors, where she has advocated for social justice and sustainable change throughout her career. Currently, Beasley is the Vice President of Operations at Girard College. She was honored with the CLAS Graduate Alumni Medallion at a special celebration at the Inn at Villanova on October 26, 2023. READ MORE
Villanova Theatre Alum Wins Top Performing Arts Award in Czech Republic
Villanova Theatre alum Becka McFadden '04 CLAS, '07 MA won the 2023 Thálie Award for Alternative Theatre for the solo performance of Black Dress. The Thálie is the leading performing arts award in the Czech Republic, where McFadden has been living and working for the past five years. READ MORE
Upcoming Academic Calendar Important Dates
Campus Courses
(including Classical Studies)

  • November 21 – Thanksgiving recess begins after last class
  • November 27 – Classes resume
  • December 11 – Last day of classes
  • December 13 - 19 – Final Examinations
HRD and Online MPA Courses

  • November 17 – MPA Fall III last day for Authorized Withdrawal without Academic Penalty (WX)
  • December 3 – Fall II last day for Authorized Withdrawal without Academic Penalty (WX)
  • December 17 – Last day of classes
Events, Reminders and Information
New Location for the CLAS Office of Graduate Studies
We've moved! The Office of Graduate Studies is now in its new location in Vasey Hall, Suite 109, which is located above the Grad Center in the beautifully renovated space that was the old theatre. Stay tuned for information about an open house in the New Year!

Advent Retreat – December 4
This year's Advent retreat hosted by Campus Ministry is themed "Advent Waiting for a Pilgrim People," and is open to all graduate students, faculty and staff. More than ever, we live in a world where waiting is something we have little time or patience for, something we resist, something that makes us uncomfortable. During this retreat on Monday, December 4, at 9 a.m. in the St. Rita Hall Community Room, we will take some time with these questions and lean into the tension of our Advent waiting, as a way of opening ourselves to the hope and newness that God desires for us. Learn more and register.

Graduate Student Peace and Justice Symposium Call for Papers – December 5
This year's conference theme of “Peace and Justice: At the Margins and the Center” aims to explore various interdisciplinary studies that account for the voices and interests of those on the margins of society, while also recognizing the reality and responsibilities of those at the centers of political and economic power. The symposium encourages proposals from any discipline, department and institution and welcomes participation from all master's and doctoral students to this no-cost symposium. The symposium will take place in person in the Connelly Center Villanova Room and online on February 16. Abstracts of papers for consideration are due December 5 Learn more and submit your abstract.

Falvey Data Visualization Competition – Entries Due January 22
The Falvey Data Visualization Competition is a new program established in conjunction with the Library's annual Love Data week celebration in order to recognize the various ways that data is used in Villanova scholarship. The Falvey Data Visualization Award is designed to increase digital information literacy by raising awareness of the importance of data visualization and celebrating good examples. The competition is open to both undergraduate and graduate students. Those that participate will receive professional recognition during Falvey’s Love Data week, be able to add to their professional repertoire by highlighting their research accomplishments, and learn about how others are using data around campus. Winners will receive cash prizes and be recognized at a ceremony that will include presentations by the award recipients on the use of data in their research. Learn more.

Summer Research Fellowship Application – Due February 1
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 $3,500 for master's students and $4,500 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.

Register for Spring Classes
Registration for Spring 2024 classes is open. You can search by term and subject in the Master Schedule of Classes.

Spring Liberal Studies Proseminar - Open to All CLAS Graduate Students
A new Proseminar in Liberal Studies is open to all CLAS Graduate students - Creativity: A Liberal Celebration of the Arts (LST 7101). This proseminar will ask the question: What is creativity and how is it performed in the work of scholars, artists and everyday people in the spirit of the liberal arts tradition? Discussions and lectures will reflect on the award-winning work of the team and their creative efforts on stage, screen and print. Team Leader and Instructor of Record: Hezekiah Lewis (Communication), Team Members and Guest Lecturers: Alan Drew (English), Peter Hilliard (Theatre), James Ijames (Theatre), Joseph Lennon (English) and Heidi Rose (Communication). Contact program director Emory Woodard for more information.

Graduate Student Support Group
This confidential group creates a safe space for graduate-level students to experience stronger emotional connections with others while also working through personal issues that may be unique to being part of a graduate program at Villanova. This group will be led by Drs. Natalie Sheridan and Julia Stein and will meet at the Counseling Center every week. If interested, please email Drs. Sheridan or Stein or contact the Counseling Center for more information: 610-519-4050, Health Services Building, Room 206.

NOVA Alert
Have you signed up for NOVA Alert? This system is the University’s mass notification system used for a major crisis or emergency, as well as weather-related closings and delays. NOVA Alert is your personal connection to real-time updates—instructions on where to go, what to do or what not to do, who to contact and other critical information. It is important that you check your NOVA Alert settings, or if you are not signed up, you can do so by following these simple steps:
  • Go to MyNova and log in
  • Enter Nova Alert in the search box
  • Enter your information 
  • Your Villanova email and cell phone information will be entered into the NOVA Alert system 
Student Support Services Overview
Academic Support
 
Student Health and Well-Being
  • Student Health Center: Open 24/7 during semester. Offering health care to students with individualized attention and timely service. ($25 office visit for graduate students).
  • University Counseling Center: Providing services that help students function optimally with regard to emotional, academic, social and psychological issues.
  • Office of Health Promotion: Empowering students to create healthy learning environments and make responsible, educated choices to maintain balance.
  • Fitness Centers: Campus locations and operating hours available online.
  • Nova Nook: Providing supplemental personal necessities to students in need.
 
Tech Support
  • UNIT Tech Zone: Providing support for all hardware, software and technical problems that students may have with their personal laptop and other on-campus computing experiences.
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