Department of Education and Counseling | | |
Greetings!
Welcome to the spring 2025 edition of our electronic newsletter! Over the past few months, Villanova has experienced monumental events, such as the announcement of the merger with Rosemont College and the election of His Holiness Pope Leo XIV, formerly Cardinal Robert Prevost, OSA, ’77 CLAS. We are privileged to be members of the Villanova community during these very exciting times for our University. Building on that momentum, Father Peter announced that the Department of Education and Counseling will be part of another historic chapter in Villanova’s history as we move to the Cabrini Campus in fall 2026! I look forward to working collaboratively with students and faculty on creating a distinctive presence for our department on the third floor of Bellesini Hall.
In this digest, we communicate department news, recap semester events and celebrate the achievements of our students, faculty and alumni. We have so much to share! You will read about our exceptional students who co-presented with faculty at conferences, had their manuscripts selected for publication in the CLAS graduate journal, CONCEPT, participated in Advocacy Day on Capitol Hill, earned awards (including a Fulbright grant!) and hosted a mental health pop-up event on campus, among other events and honors. This semester, our exemplary faculty won a University teaching award, published books and articles, supported students through listening circles, shared their expertise on and off campus, were appointed to the boards of national professional organizations and spearheaded a new honor society on campus which recognizes the achievements of students with disabilities. We have achieved much individually and collectively of which we can be very proud.
As the 2024-2025 academic year closes, I extend warm congratulations and best wishes to our graduates! May your futures be filled with many blessings, great satisfaction in your work and a lifetime of learning. To the faculty, staff, graduate assistants and student workers of our department, thank you for your enduring commitment to teaching, research and service. May you enjoy the summer!
With best wishes to all,
Teresa G. Wojcik, PhD
Associate Professor of Education
Chairperson, Department of Education and Counseling
| | | | Taking a "Pause for the Cause" | Counselors and teachers often urge their clients and students to remember the importance of self-care, but they do not always apply the notion to themselves as professionals. In February, the department hosted an event focused on all dimensions of wellness (physical, emotional, intellectual, financial, spiritual, social, occupational and environmental). Thanks to the efforts of Amber Haley, PhD, and Krista Malott, PhD, students, faculty and other members of the Villanova community had the opportunity to learn about the eight dimensions of wellness through an interactive community event called, “Take a Pause for the Cause: Wellness in Practice.” Representatives from offices across Villanova and agencies beyond campus shared resources and tips. | |
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Assistant Education and Counseling Honors Societies Induct New Members
Annually, the department hosts induction ceremonies for the two international honor societies representing our disciplines, Chi Sigma Iota (Counseling) and Kappa Delta Pi (Education). In opening comments, Department Chairperson Teresa G. Wojcik, PhD, shared, “Occasions like today’s ceremonies provide us the opportunity to pause, reflect and renew our commitment to our daily work. We are reminded of the larger purposes for which we joined the teaching, leadership and counseling professions and of the principles that guide our efforts.” Chi Sigma Iota welcomed 28 new members, and Kappa Delta Pi initiated 12 new members. Following the initiation ceremony, Scott Weinstein, acting assistant to the superintendent of the Lower Merion School District and adjunct instructor in the department, offered comments that beautifully communicated the vital importance of education and counseling to our society.
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Cooperating Personnel Appreciation Dinner and Graduation
On Tuesday, May 5, department faculty, students and staff gathered for the 65th Annual Cooperating Personnel Appreciation Dinner and Graduation Celebration. This annual event celebrates cooperating teachers, higher education mentors and counseling internship supervisors, as well as our graduates. The department could not properly prepare its students for the teaching, leadership and counseling professions without the generous assistance of our community partners—the schools, clinics, community agencies and institutions of higher education that provide mentorship and guide our students as they expand their knowledge, develop their skills and nurture the dispositions needed to effectively serve others. The evening featured a presentation of awards, recognition of our graduates and inspiring comments by guest speaker George James, PhD. Congratulations to the award winners:
Outstanding Graduate Counseling Student:
- School Counseling: Janelle Diehl ’25 MA
- Clinical Mental Health Counseling: Isabell Han ’25 MS
Excellence in Counselor Training and Supervision:
Coatesville Veterans Affairs Medical Center
Medallion of Excellence in Education: Anabelle McGinley ’25 CLAS
Casciano Graduate Award: Julianna Chen ’25 MA
Casciano Undergraduate Award: Dusy Garcia ’25 CLAS
Teachers of Courage and Conscience Award: Marybeth Martin and Lindsey Snyder
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Jennifer Carangi Celebrates 15th Anniversary at Villanova
Congratulations to Jen Carangi, the field placement coordinator for our Teacher Education programs, on 15 years at Villanova! Jen works tirelessly to match the needs and interests of our students with those of local schools to provide a rewarding and quality field experience for all involved. Jen also serves as liaison to Malvern Prep and Welsh Valley Middle School, two sites of excellence where Master’s Plus students complete practicum experiences. As an adjunct instructor Jen teaches Psychology of Teaching and Learning as well as the Senior Seminar. An active participant in program meetings and committees, Jen is a vital member of the Education Team. We express our gratitude and best wishes to Jen on this significant work milestone!
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School Counseling Student Excels in Research
Jacob Luna ’25 MS has been an integral member of the research team led by Dana Brookover, PhD. With the significance of social determinants of health (SDOH) on the rise in the counseling field, Dr. Brookover and Jacob conducted an outcome research study focused on the integration of SDOH and career development in school counseling programs. They employed a mixed-methods approach, utilizing pre and post interviews as well as training sessions to assess changes in counselors' attitudes, competencies and practices. The team implemented two one-hour training sessions that educated counselors on social determinants of health and how to consider SDOH in career development work with students through the Career Development and Social Determinants Framework (CDSD-F). In December, Jacob co-presented with Dr. Brookover at the Pennsylvania School Counselors’ Association conference.
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Graduate Education Student Wins Prestigious Fulbright Award!
Drew Doughan ’25 MA, graduate student in the Education Policy Concentration, has been awarded a Fulbright Teaching Assistant Award to Romania. Drew will teach English and American Culture at a university in Romania during the next academic year (October - June).
University-Wide Three Minute Thesis Competition Features Graduate Education Student
Julianna Chen ’25 MA, a graduate student in Teacher Leadership, was one of the 12 finalists in the 2025 Villanova Three Minute Thesis (3MT) Competition, and she presented “Racial Identity Formation from Multiracial Representation in Children’s Literature.”
CLAS Journal Features Work by Two Graduate Students
Nick Kennedy ’25 MA published “Lunch and Learn: Testing the Theory of Change,” and Nicole Roldan ’25 MA published “Policy Analysis of the ‘Performance-based Funding Model for State-related Institutions’ Within Governor Shapiro’s ‘Blueprint for Higher Education’ in Pennsylvania” in CONCEPT, the College’s interdisciplinary journal for graduate studies.
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Department Students and Faculty Shine at Freedom School
Department faculty and students gave presentations at the Center for Peace and Justice Education's Freedom School, a workshop, celebrating the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Krista Malott, PhD, and Laiba Khaqan ’26 MS:
- “Standing Up, Speaking Up: How and Why Do We Respond to Hate?”
- “Lived Experience as Expertise: Advancing Justice in the Narrative Around Schizophrenia”
Julianna Chen ’25 MA and Mason Wesley ’24 CLAS, ’26 MA:
- “They're Getting the Banned Back Together: How A Second Trump Administration Realizes Concerns Over Educational Rights”
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Graduate Students Learn the Power of Advocacy on Capitol Hill
Drew Doughan ’25 MA is a graduate student in the Educational Policy track. He has served as a graduate assistant in the Office of Education Abroad. On April 23 and 24, Drew and fellow Education student Nicole Roldan ’25 MA, participated in the Council of Graduate Schools Advocacy Day in Washington, DC. 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.
"Advocacy Day gave me direct experience in speaking with staff and policymakers about issues I care about," says Drew. Read about the students' experience.
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Mental Health Pop-Up Event
By Regina Miller '25 CLAS
| | | | Chi Sigma Iota hosted a Mental Health Pop-Up event in the Connelly Center in collaboration with the Counseling Center and local non-profit Abbey's Bakery, which promotes mental health awareness and suicide prevention through a love of baking. The event centered around providing mental health resources as well as education on therapy for students and staff at Villanova. | | |
Graduate Education Team Hosts Activities
By Julianna Chen Carangi '25 MA
| | | | The Graduate Education Team (GET) hosted "‘GET’ Motivated for finals week!" on Monday, December 9, for students to study together and make holiday cards for “Cards for Hospitalized Kids.” On December 10, the Education and Counseling Graduate Assistants/Tuition Scholars crafted personalized tote bags—thanks to the IDEA lab technicians for their assistance! On February 13, GET partnered with Student PSEA to host a panel discussion featuring teachers Natasha Skorupski ’23 MA and Colbe Clark ’26 MA. The guest speakers shared their reflections on the job search, interview process and the joys and challenges of teaching. | | Reflections Form Student Conference Participants | | |
Two Graduate Counseling Students Reflect on Participation in Chi Sigma Iota Pennsylvania Statewide Conference
Exploring Scrupulosity
By Regina Miller '25 MS
I explored the intersection between faith and anxiety through scrupulosity, the subtype of OCD marked by religious and moral obsessions. This includes defining core features such as thought-action-fusion and compulsive rituals. Additionally, I discussed the ethical considerations and strategies that professional counselors can apply while working with these clients. This includes boundaries between the role of a therapist versus religious leaders, as well as how to respect spiritual practices during the treatment process.
Opening the Conversation about Schizophrenia
By Laiba Khaqan '26 MS
I presented at the Freedom School with Krista Malott, PhD, in January, and a few audience members also shared their personal connections to schizophrenia. It’s clear that when we open the conversation and create a space for it, people show up, not only to connect, but to begin normalizing experiences that are so often hidden due to stigma. This presentation centered the lived experiences of individuals navigating schizophrenia, challenging deficit-based narratives that often dominate clinical and public discourse. Rather than reducing schizophrenia to a list of symptoms, the session highlighted the humanity, resilience and personal agency of those affected. By sharing stories rooted in advocacy and personal connection, the presentation explored how lived experience can serve as a form of expertise that bridges the gap between clinical understanding and human empathy.
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Higher Education Student on Participation in NASPA Conference
By Bridget Gerold '25 MA
I am very grateful to the Department of Education and Counseling, Graduate Studies and the Center for Inclusive Education for funding my trip to New Orleans for the NASPA annual conference this March! The opportunity to not only attend, but also present research alongside Seth Fishman, PhD, created an incredibly enriching professional experience as a graduate student. We presented on the overall use of AI in graduate programs which allowed me to engage with peers and share insights on this budding topic, while also learning from others’ experiences. By attending sessions focused on career development and other functional areas of personal interest within student affairs, I was able to deepen my understanding of the field. It was an inspiring opportunity to connect with other professionals, exchange ideas and grow professionally in the world of higher education!
| | Villanova Social Studies pre-service teachers and faculty, pictured left to right: Sarah Kelly '26 CLAS; Jason Teal '26 MA; Warner Cole '26 MA; Frank Schlupp '25 CPS; Teresa G. Wojcik, PhD; Christa Bialka, PhD; Nicole Hansen, PhD (Seton Hall). | |
Social Studies Teacher Candidate on Attending MSCSS Regional Conference
By Sarah Kelly ’26 CLAS
I had the opportunity to attend the 2025 Annual Middle States Council for the Social Studies Conference, in Lancaster, Pa., alongside my classmate, Frank Schlupp ’25 CPS. The conference brought together many Social Studies enthusiasts from Delaware, Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania and New Jersey to share in a weekend of professional development, specialized breakout sessions, keynote speakers as well as resources for teachers of all levels. The specialized breakout sessions offered topic-based lesson plans and resources to help teachers implement the topic into their own classroom. One standout session by Dr. James Beeghley, “Tradigital History,” encouraged teachers to explore the possibilities of using technology, music and art alongside primary and secondary sources to increase student engagement and critical thinking within the classroom. Another interesting session by George Toepers, “Connecting Geography and Economics,” presented ideas for integrating economics and geography.
As a pre-service teacher, I found this conference particularly insightful. Not only did I leave with an extensive number of resources and knowledge from the presenters, I was also fortunate to learn from the perspectives of many different teachers. During the “Essentials for Pre-Service Teachers” presentation, I engaged in a panel discussion with veteran teachers who offered their insights and support. We examined interviewing strategies, classroom engagement, the importance of finding mentorship and continuing to grow your personal knowledge.
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Higher Education Leadership Program Student Updates
Yvonne Taylor was promoted to department administrator, Department of Marketing and Business Law and Villanova’s School of Business’s Center for Marketing and Consumer Insights.
Mike Kalpokas '26 MA was promoted to associate director of admissions for Villanova’s College of Professional Studies (CPS).
Kristina Bondarenko '25 MA was a NASPA Region 2 panelist for a virtual session on Student Leaders to Student Affairs Professionals.
Andrew Rubas '26 MA joined the Conference Management Team for the Association of College Unions International national conference in New York City. He will also serve on the conference planning team for the ACUI Region VII’s regional conference next year.
Andrew Rubas '26 MA and Mason Wesley '24 CLAS, '26 MA presented, “How to Not Burn the Match at Both Ends: Preventing Student Burnout and Balancing Conflicting Identities,” at the ACUI Region VII conference.
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Madora Soutter, EdD, Wins Teaching Award
Madora Soutter, EdD, was received the 2025 Villanova Junior Faculty Award for Excellence in Teaching, which recognizes a faculty member who has been in a full-time position for less than seven years and has developed extraordinarily effective teaching approaches.
In March, Dr. Soutter’s new book, Transformative Social and Emotional Learning: Centering Equity and Social Justice in Pre-K-6 Classrooms, was published by Teacher’s College Press. The book is co-authored by Alessandra E. Ward, EdD, and Chu N. Ly, EdD.
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Edward Wahesh, PhD, Shares Expertise
Edward Wahesh, PhD, associate professor of Counseling, co-presented "Unlocking Student Potential: Motivational Strategies for Engagement and Learning" at the Catholic Diocese of Wilmington’s Professional Development Day for secondary school educators, held at Padua Academy. The session, delivered alongside nationally recognized trainer Dotti Farr and organized by Villanova alumna Kimberly Kiefer ’15 MA, highlighted practical tools to support student motivation and engagement.
Dr. Wahesh also led sessions at several professional events throughout the semester, including Villanova’s Center for Access, Success and Achievement, the Delaware School Counseling Association Spring Conference and an international webinar hosted by the Clinical Supervision Research Collaborative. He concluded the semester with a continuing education workshop for clinical supervisors through UNC-Greensboro’s Extending the Trauma-Informed Professional Pipeline project, focusing on the integration of motivational interviewing within trauma-informed supervision practices.
| | | Recent Faculty Publications, Conference Presentations and Recognitions | | |
Christa Bialka, EdD, and Teresa G. Wojcik, PhD, co-presented with Nicole Hansen, PhD, of Seton Hall, “Disability as an Integral Strand of America’s Tapestry of Diversity,” at the Middle States Council for the Social Studies in Lancaster, Pa.
Seth Fishman, PhD, was appointed as a Faculty Council Representative for Region II of the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators and will also serve on the National Faculty Council for student life and higher education grad programs. In March, Dr. Fishman co-presented with Bridget Gerold ’25 MA, “Navigating AI Impact on Graduate Programs: Admissions to Careers,” at the annual NASPA conference.
Helen Lafferty, PhD, was invited by the Villanova Leadership Program to speak on Ethical Leadership, presenting to around 80 students earning their VLP certificates.
Krista Malott, PhD, Edward Wahesh, PhD, Tina Paone, PhD, Amber Haley, PhD and Counseling alumna Alexis McClatchy '19 MS co-published the article, “'I feel as though I would not be able to empathize': Intersectionality and counselor intergroup anxiety” in Teaching and Supervision in Counseling, the official journal of the Southern Association for Counselor Education and Supervision.
Christopher Schmidt, PhD, co-published the article, “High conflict divorce in counselor education: Investigating an emergency curricular gap” in The Family Journal with Jenai Grigg and Counseling alumna Valerie Zizik '24 MS.
Teresa G. Wojcik, PhD, served as a member of the Fulbright National Screening Committee for the 2025-2026 award cycle, where she read and rated 49 applications for the U.S. English Teaching Assistant Award and participated in a review panel.
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SaraBeth Baker '22 MA was promoted to assistant director, academic advising in the Office for Undergraduate Students at Villanova.
Kelly Brightwell (formerly Garnett) '15 MS is the counseling department head and a junior and senior counselor at Devon Preparatory School.
Matthew Diffley '23 MA started a new position as academic coach at Eastern University.
Terence (Terry) Harris '77 CLAS, '93 MA is the author of 12 books including, A Christmas Kiss in Cape May (2020), Developing Your Child’s Creativity (2021) and a book of poetry, Cape May, My Love (2012). Harris' father, the late George A. Harris, was a faculty member at Villanova for 36 years and served as chairperson of the Department of Education and Counseling (formerly Human Services) for many years.
Abby Kallin '20 MA was a guest speaker in the Higher Education Internship Class, where she shared insights on the job market and her experience guiding senior leadership searches in higher education.
Bill Knous '13 MA started a new position as senior director of quality and growth at Colorado League Charter Schools.
Marybeth Lilly '21 MA was promoted to director of membership and executive office at American Petroleum Institute (API).
Liz Remelius '22 MPA, '24 certificate is the new chair of the University Council at Villanova.
Lance Rougeux '98 CLAS, '02 MA is co-founder (with his wife, Martha) of the Purple Feet Foundation, which serves high-risk middle school youth from Philadelphia and Harrisburg. A former teacher in the School District of Philadelphia, Lance is senior vice president of curriculum, instruction and student engagement for Discovery Education.
Natalie Shaw '20 MA received the Outstanding Campus Professional Award from Phi Sigma Sigma sorority.
Betty Wilson '24 MA assistant director of Specialized Master’s Programs, was selected as the Villanova School of Business Cheers for Peers Q1 winner for the 2024-2025 academic year.
| | Alumni of the department are invited to share their news and accomplishments for inclusion in future editions of the Education and Counseling Newsletter. | | | Newsletter Editor: Teresa G. Wojcik, PhD | | |
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