Happy Spring Semester! The return of our students, along with a long awaited snow storm, certainly brought campus to life last week! It's been wonderful reconnecting with Villanovans in the classroom, during meetings and rehearsals, during practices and on the playing fields and courts. Villanova feels whole again with everyone back together renewed, refreshed and ready.

With the start of the semester, we join you in continuing to want to see our Villanovans thrive and flourish. The Division of Student Life, with programs and offices throughout campus, is in place and ready to support students. Academically, through the Provost’s Office, support services for tutoring, learning support, and assistance in writing, math, speaking and presentation are available for your Villanovan to access when needed. From a health and wellness perspective, health services offices are accessible when and your student needs care. These appointments are available via online request, telephone or walk-in access.

Below, we share some great things happening on campus and ways you can support your Wildcat—there are Black History Month events, Student Involvement Fair details and student job opportunities, as well as Commencement and Family Weekend 2024 updates.

Carita Geib '98, P'26 | Director, Office of Parent and Family Relations
parents@villanova.edu | 610.519.6212

Villanova will join the nation in celebrating Black History Month throughout February. Although events and activities exploring the important legacies of Black people and communities are held throughout the year, this month places focus on and amplifies the importance of Black history and culture within our community.

Throughout the month, the Office of Intercultural Affairs (OIA), in partnership with organizations and offices across campus, will host professional networking and alumni panels, a step workshop and Soul Food Sundays, among other events. Students and families can visit the OIA webpage and check out the calendar on display in Connelly Center for a complete listing of events.

Is your Wildcat looking to explore new activities on campus? On Friday, Feb. 2 from 4-7 p.m., the Office of Student Involvement will host the Spring Involvement Fair in the Villanova Room in the Connelly Center. Here, Villanovans can learn firsthand about many of Villanova's student organizations, talk with others involved in these organizations and sign up to receive more information.

Student Life is pleased to once again host the Winter Gala on Friday, Feb. 16 from 9 p.m.-midnight in Connelly Center. This free event is open to all undergraduate students, who can look forward to enjoying great music, food and games (Villanovans 21+ will be served alcohol upon request). We recommend students wear formal attire, which can look different for everyone—cocktail dresses or gowns, suit and tie, or dress shirt and slacks. We ask that students reply by Wednesday, Jan. 31 on the Winter Gala webpage.

Mark your calendars! Family Weekend will be held on campus September 27-28, 2024! As the schedule for this fun family weekend evolves, we will update our events page with details about campus activities and the Wildcats football game. This is the University's busiest weekend on campus, bringing together students and families from around the world and across all class years. We're looking forward to a great weekend for everyone!

As the University prepares for construction of Vic Maggitti Hall—the new home of Falvey Library—offices, including the University Shop, have been moved or relocated.

The University Shop will cease operations in Kennedy Hall at the close of business on Saturday, Feb. 10 and re-open on Monday, Feb. 19 in St. Mary's Hall. Students have been notified that the textbook department will be open for in-person shopping until Saturday, Feb. 3. The University Shop will remain open online throughout the transition and beyond. If you have questions, please contact the Shop at villanovaushop@villanova.edu or by calling 610-519-4160. To see the locations of the offices mentioned above, please review the University Campus Map.

Our offices on campus run more smoothly and are more lively when Villanova students work with us! There are a variety of options across campus with flexible hours, varying responsibilities and activities. If your Wildcat is considering a job this semester, check out the exciting opportunities we hope you'll encourage them to explore.

By advocating their use of the Career Center, you can help empower your Wildcat to take proactive steps toward a successful future. Encourage them to visit the Center in 117 Garey Hall, attend the Liberal Arts and Business and STEM Career Fairs on Wednesday, Feb. 7, participate in employer information sessions and coffee chats, seek counseling and take advantage of the digital resources available to them. Family support and advocacy for career services can make a significant difference in your child's future professional success.

“I am incredibly grateful for the invaluable support I received from the Career Center throughout my time at Villanova,” attests Alan Orellana, senior, Management Information Systems. “Their wide array of resources, from professional development and career guidance to resume building and networking opportunities, played a crucial role in my journey to securing a full-time position at Deloitte. Taking advantage of these resources has been a cornerstone of my success at Villanova, providing me with the tools and knowledge needed to kickstart a thriving career."

Families can review the upcoming schedule of events on the Career Center webpage.

Commencement is on the horizon! The Bachelor's Degree Commencement and Recognition Ceremony will be held on Friday, May 17 at 2:30 p.m. Students graduating this May recently received an email from the University in which they were asked to complete the Prospective Graduate Form in their Graduation Task Center (found in MyNova) by Thursday, Feb. 1 and to register in MarchingOrder by Wednesday, April 10 (detailed instructions were provided). MarchingOrder is where your Villanovan will confirm their participation and details for the Commencement Ceremony, order their cap and gown and receive communications from the University in advance of Commencement.

In addition, the Office of Parent and Family Relations and the Office of the President will co-host a Commencement Webinar for family members on Tuesday, April 16 at 7 p.m. ET (further details, along with a Zoom link, will be provided in the future). We will continue to share important information families should be aware of in this newsletter. In the meantime, we recommend bookmarking the Villanova Commencement webpage, as well as following @novagraduation and @villanovaparentandfamily on Instagram.

Please share a bit about your background and what informs your practice.
Over the course of my nearly 22 years at Villanova, I have had the opportunity to grow the programs, services, resources and relationships across the University that help to ensure our students thrive during their time at Villanova. I came to Villanova with a clinical psychology degree and experience in Residence Life and peer education, and since coming to Villanova, I have earned a doctorate in health care education and served in a variety of national leadership roles in which I have contributed to guidelines for practice in college health promotion. My belief that the best intervention is prevention informs how I approach my work and lead efforts around health and well-being at Villanova.

How do you recommend Villanovans effectively use the Office of Health Promotion?
There are many doors or pathways to access Health Promotion information at Villanova. Students will go where they are most comfortable or feel things are most easily accessible–and that may be online on through mobile resources. Others may engage with us through in-person programs. It’s our hope then that the discovery of one program or resource may lead them to look to another, and another. Our office continues to innovate and build resources like the dynamic, customized Thrive 365 online portal, Nod mobile app and a host of online courses. We also invite students to join interactive expert- and peer-led workshops and trainings; well-being coaching services for one-on-one support and goal setting; and one-credit courses around resilience and practices for a life well lived.

Villanovans are beginning a brand new semester. What are three things you recommend they do to start the year in a healthy way?
I recommend students use these three simple ideas to start the new year:
Reflect: What made you proud? What did not go quite as planned?
Renew: What do you need to center yourself this year? How can you make it a priority?
Recommit: Make a commitment to yourself and one thing that you can do in the coming months ahead to slow down, reflect and renew year-round, and not just as you start a new year.

What is it about Villanova students that inspires you/your work?
Villanova students really want to be at their best. They are kind-spirited and want to be good stewards. I am inspired by our students who genuinely want to take good care of themselves so that they can do good work and be good friends and family members.

Villanova University Office of Parent and Family Relations

Phone: 610-519-6212

Email: parents@villanova.edu