Autumn Energy Meets Villanova Spirit

Dear CLAS Graduate Students, Faculty and Staff,

Fall is in the air! The mornings are turning crisp, the leaves are plotting their annual color spectacular and Villanova’s new Wawa is already serving as my unofficial remote office. You can barely get through the line without overhearing someone debate the panini vs. the hoagie (spoiler: they’re both good) while ordering their first—but definitely not last—pumpkin spice latte of the season. It’s peak Delco meets PSL vibes, and I, for one, am here for it.

I was delighted to see so many enthusiastic faces both familiar and new at the Graduate Student Community Kickoff Picnic earlier this month. That event always sets the tone for a wonderful year ahead and I want to extend my deepest thanks to all my colleagues who made the event happen. It was a true success and a measure of the care for our community.

Along with the season’s transformation, September also marks the start of the new admission cycle for us here in the Office of Graduate Studies. It’s a busy time as our current students get settled into the new semester, but as we enjoy this season of transition, it is not too early to think about the next generation of grad students who will one day be part of these Villanova autumns.

Our Graduate Open House will take place next month, on October 22. It’s a chance to give prospective students a glimpse of life here on campus. You are the best ambassadors for our programs. By sharing your experiences, highlighting your successes and embodying the spirit of Villanova, you help us attract and inspire our future classmates and colleagues.

So, as we continue through the fall, I invite you to lend your voice to our recruitment efforts, attend events and celebrate with one another the collective achievements that make our graduate programs truly distinctive.


Warm regards,

Emory H. Woodard IV, PhD

Dean of Graduate Studies, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

The Interactive Center for the Improvement of Mentored Experiences in Research (CIMER) workshop equipped participants with research-based strategies to strengthen graduate student mentorship. Faculty and staff alternated between playing the parts of mentees and mentors, then shifted to the role of facilitators, practicing strategies proven to improve mentoring relationships. It is part of a broader University effort. READ MORE



The Internet and Television Trade Association is recognizing the Villanova University graduate student for significant social impact and service to others. Calhoun, a mass communications and public affairs specialist for the Pennsylvania Army National Guard and a former multimedia fellow for Hearst Television, was nominated by the Emma Bowen Foundation, which connects media and technology industries with a pipeline of emerging leaders in the field. READ MORE

About 40 undergraduate and graduate students from Villanova University's Public Administration program, all eager to deepen their understanding of local government management, stepped outside the classroom for an immersive opportunity to see public service at work when an MPA alumnus hosted them at Lower Merion’s administrative headquarters on Lancaster Avenue, just three miles from Villanova’s campus. The trip aimed to connect theory to practice, highlighting multifaced and nuanced civic engagement. READ MORE

Fall 2025 Graduate Research Symposium: Apply to Participate

On Friday, November 15, 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. Students present either a 3MT-style oral presentation or a poster presentation of their research. This year, we are accepting submissions from any CLAS graduate student, in addition to the Summer Research Fellowship recipients (Summer Research Fellowship participants do not have to submit this additional application). If you would like to be considered for the 2025 symposium, please use this application form to upload a three-minute video explaining your research. Submissions must be received by September 30.

Villanova Theatre Season Begins Sept. 25

Be sure to check out this fall's performances on the Mullen Center stage! The Language Archive runs Sept. 25 through Oct. 4 and Detroit runs Nov. 13 through Nov. 23. Click here for information about the shows and buy tickets here.

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.

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!