Dear Villanova Family,

I am always humbled and impressed by your students. As they navigate a new academic year following a difficult start to the semester, I offer up gratitude for their safety and am encouraged by their motivation to step forward with their lives at Villanova. Keep in mind, there is help in place if they need it today, tomorrow or weeks down the road; we have compassionate and experienced people who want to serve our students with care and empathy.

Looking ahead at the semester, there are many programs and exciting opportunities in the months to come. Below, you’ll find information related to the start of the semester, along with a few to-dos and some fun events to look forward to!

As always, let's stay in touch. This office is here to help answer questions, connect to resources and provide more information as we help support and guide our Wildcats.

Carita Geib '98, P'26, '28 | Director, Parent and Family Relations
parents@villanova.edu | 610-519-6212

The University continues to be committed to helping our students feel safe and healthy. For detailed information on the many services available to your student, please visit the Health and Well-Being Resource Page to learn more about the University Counseling Center (UCC), which offers in-person and online counseling, therapy and consultation; through the Student Health Center; and through robust campus programming, organizations and events. These resources 

Villanova University uses NOVA Alert to keep students and their families updated on certain safety events on or near campus. Please make sure that your student has registered for NOVA Alert and has added additional contacts to their profile so that they (and you) can stay updated if an emergency occurs and updates need to be provided. More information, including steps to register parents and family members, can be found on the University's NOVA Alert page.

Join us September 26-28 for Family Weekend—event registration is now open! With a great cross-section of events spanning everything from academic sessions, to a Campus Tree Tour, student performances, Class of 2026 events and Tailgate on the Green followed by the Villanova Football game we have something for nearly every interest! The weekend will conclude with a beautiful Family Weekend Mass in Finneran Pavilion.

For the first time, Villanova University will host a unique student scholarship event—Pops in the Pavilion—on Friday, Sept. 26 at 7 p.m. in Finneran Pavilion. You and your family are invited to experience the legendary Philly Pops as they perform with two-time Tony Award-winning actress and singer Sutton Foster. Individual tickets and tables are available for purchase! 

Whether your student recently enrolled for their first year, transferred from another school or is returning to Villanova, they will benefit from being engaged on campus. This time of life provides a great opportunity for young people to explore their academic interests, try something new and further cultivate their passions. The Student Involvement Fair, to be held Friday, Sept. 5 from 4-7 p.m. on Mendel Field, offers a great opportunity for your Wildcat to learn more about the 200+ organizations they can get involved with on campus. 

Keep in mind when talking with your student that the Office of Student Involvement continues to develop great events for students to enjoy, including quite a bit happening this Labor Day Weekend. Take a look at what is planned, and remind your Villanovan to follow them on Instagram, check email and the calendar frequently for additions and updates to the lineup!

As parents and guardians, you have a tremendous impact on your students, even when it comes to decisions regarding substances and relationships. Join staff members from the University’s Dean of Students Office, Office of Health Promotion and Title IX Office to talk about how to be pro-social bystanders with our students during these moments that matter. Please register to receive the link to join the webinar.

Although classes have just begun, encourage your Villanovan to look forward to joining a Service and Justice Experience (SJE) over Fall Break (October 11-18). Through these experiences, embedded throughout the country (and Jamaica), Villanovans can learn and serve alongside community organizations and individuals doing important, impactful work. Registrations are due by noon on Thursday, Sept. 4; need-based funding is available.

This year's SJE's include:

Encourage your student to join us at the Fall Career Fair in the Finneran Pavilion on Wednesday, Sept. 10 from 2-6 p.m. With over 140 companies participating, the fair is a fantastic opportunity for your student to connect with potential employers and explore exciting internships and full-time job opportunities. No registration is required, and all academic years and majors are encouraged to attend (Nursing students are better suited for Nursing Career Day on Tuesday, Nov. 18). Prior to the Fair, students can go to Handshake—Villanova's career management platform—to browse the list of employers attending the fair, register and explore career opportunities. 

Families, you can help our students make a strong first impression by donating your gently used or new professional attire to the Wildcat Wardrobe. During Family Weekend, donation bins will be located at the Connelly Center Information Desk to collect your donations. Your contributions will help make a difference—in the past year, the Career Center hosted 369 Wildcat Wardrobe shopping sessions providing free professional clothing to more than 300 Villanovans.

Is your Villanovan interested in working on campus? Whether or not your Villanovan was awarded work-study, Villanova has countless opportunities for students to earn money working on campus while pursuing their education. Additionally, it's a great way to form relationships with fellow students, as well as Villanova staff and faculty members. More information is available on the Student Employment page or by stopping by on-campus information and on-boarding sessions.

'Tis the season for Fall Intramural Sports! Registration for many of the 12+ teams will take place Tuesday, Sept.2-Thursday, Sept. 4. Students are welcome to form and register a team or if they do not have a team, they may sign-up as a free agent to be placed with a team. To learn more, encourage your student to check full details on the Intramural page. 

If team sports aren't your Wildcat's game, Fitness & Recreation has five free fitness centers across campus where personal training is available, as well as group exercise classes.

Villanova University Office of Parent and Family Relations

Phone: 610-519-6212

Email: parents@villanova.edu