A Half-Full View from Mid-Semester

Dear CLAS Graduate Students, Faculty and Staff,

Welcome back! I hope that you enjoyed a restful, yet energizing, fall break. As we move into the second half of the semester, we’ve reached a natural midpoint, a chance to appreciate how far we’ve come while looking ahead with renewed energy and focus.

It’s easy to treat this time as a countdown—weeks behind us, weeks still to go. But I prefer to think of it as a glass-half-full moment. Over the first two months, we’ve filled our glasses with anticipation, preparation and progress. Now is our opportunity to “top it off.” Let’s pour in even more so that we may finish the semester strong.

The weeks ahead are often the busiest and most stressful, but they’re also the most rewarding. This is when your ideas deepen, your research projects become fully realized and your collaborations with colleagues and classmates flourish. Every deadline met fills that glass even more, bringing you closer to your goals.

As we move through the rest of the semester (and ever closer to those holiday breaks), remember that you are part of a community that is fully supportive of your potential. We’re all here for you and proud of what you’re accomplishing. Keep going!

Wishing you a productive and optimistic second half. 


Warm regards,

Emory H. Woodard IV, PhD

Dean of Graduate Studies, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

Brandon Ambrosino ’24 PhD has worn many hats—journalist, dancer, writer. So, when it came time to select a university for his doctoral studies, he knew he needed a school that would challenge him to use all his talents. Villanova stood out as the clear choice. In September, Ambrosino released his debut book, Is It God's Will?: Making Sense of Tragedy, Luck, and Hope in a World Gone Wrong. The path to publication came with challenges, but he was determined to complete it, and for good reason. READ MORE

Graduate students were invited to connect directly with Dean Emory Woodard and the Graduate Studies team during a special Listening Circle on Tuesday, October 7, in the CLAS Graduate Lounge (Old Falvey Library, Room 306). This open conversation offered students a welcoming space to share ideas, raise questions and discuss topics that matter most to them, all while making the most of the lounge space. Many thanks to the members of Graduate Student Council for hosting the event, including Sophia Edwards, Tony Udo Merenini and David Heuring, as well as Dr. Julia Stein from the University Counseling Center and Iuliia Stoliarova, a Political Science graduate student who facilitated a listening circle. The dialogue doesn’t end here. Because the event was so-well received, follow-up conversations will continue in the near future to keep the momentum going. Stay tuned!

GradADVANCE Virtual Information Session: Today at Noon

Learn more about Villanova’s graduate student professional competencies program, GradADVANCE! Join Emily McCloskey, Director of the Grad Center and Meredith Okenquist, Director of Career Management, to learn how you can leverage this unique professional development program and enhance your graduate student career. Register here.

Save the Date: Fall 2025 Graduate Research Symposium

The Office of Graduate Studies will host its annual Fall Research Symposium, which highlights the research and scholarship of graduate students in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, on Friday, November 14, at 1 p.m. More information to come!

Homecoming Leadership Panel and Networking Reception

This special in-person event is designed to connect alumni and students on campus during one of the most important weekends of the year. Alumni leaders with deep knowledge and a variety of experiences will have the opportunity to network with and mentor students from all academic years and backgrounds. It takes place Friday, October 24, from 3:30 to 5 p.m. in Larson Kelly Auditorium, Driscoll Hall. RSVP here.

Applying for NSF-GRFP? CRF Can Help!
The Center for Research and Fellowships (CRF) is pleased to support those applying for the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program by conducting draft reviews and fielding questions. We kindly encourage interested students to review this year’s solicitation to determine eligibility and field-specific deadlines and to book a Handshake appointment with a member of the CRF team. Click here for information or send questions to crf@villanova.edu. 

Funded Summer Language Study with Critical Language Scholarship 

The Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) Program is a summer opportunity for American university students to learn languages essential to America’s engagement with the world. Students spend eight to 10 weeks abroad or online over the summer studying one of 12 critical languages, including Arabic, Chinese, Indonesian, Turkish and more. The CLS program is part of a U.S. government initiative to expand the number of Americans studying and mastering foreign languages that are critical to national security and economic prosperity. Interested students are encouraged to book a meeting with a CRF advisor on Handshake. Click here for more information or send questions to crf@villanova.edu. 

Degree Works for Graduate Students

Students are encouraged to track and plan their academic progress towards degree completion with Degree Works, an online auditing tool for Villanovans that provides students with an academic roadmap that lays out their required courses, tracks their credits earned and updates their GPA status each semester. To access, search for Degree Works in myNova. For more information, including tutorials and FAQs, please visit the Degree Works information page.

Conference Travel Support

The Office of Graduate Studies encourages graduate students in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences to apply for funding to attend conferences in which they will present research related to their graduate work. Students interested in receiving a conference travel award will compete an online form found here.

The Grad Center is Hiring a Grad Ambassador!

The Center for Graduate Research and Education (Grad Center) is seeking a year-round hourly graduate assistant. This student will provide operational support to the Grad Center team and be the first point of contact for students in the Grad Center Lounge in Vasey Hall. Learn more and apply here.

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 current 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.

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  

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!