Happy New Year, Villanova Families!

What a renewed sense of energy and potential on campus! Some of our students may be looking forward to diving into their classes and honing in on their major; others may be abroad or starting an internship—and our seniors are stepping into their final semester on campus. No matter where your Wildcat may be on their path, Villanova staff and faculty are here in support as they start anew and continue to grow. 

Below, you'll learn more about ways students can get involved through the MLK Jr. Day of Service and Student Involvement. We'll also give the Class of '29 a first look at the Cabrini Campus and host the ever popular Winter Gala early next month. 

As always, I look forward to staying in touch!

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

On Monday, Jan. 19, Villanova's 19th Annual MLK Jr. Day of Service commemorates the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Villanovans can register to volunteer within the Greater Philadelphia area as part of our ongoing mission to improve lives, bridge social barriers and move our nation closer to the "beloved community" that Dr. King envisioned. 

The week continues with other events for our Villanova community to participate in following the Day of Service, including

Your Villanovan's health and wellness remain a priority in the new year. As your student settles into their schedule and develops their new routine, please keep in mind that our Student Health Services are available and actively supporting our students to help them thrive! 

As the University prepares to welcome students to the Cabrini Campus in August 2026, the Division of Student Life has been hosting Rising Sophomore Information Sessions in which students in the Class of 2029 can hear more about the living options available on both the Cabrini and Villanova campuses. The final two sessions will be held on Wednesday, Jan. 14 and Thursday, Jan. 15 (advanced registration is not required).

Class of '29 students are also invited to experience the Cabrini Campus in person during our big tour event—Discovering the Cabrini Campus—taking place on Friday, Jan. 23, and Saturday, Jan. 24. Rising sophomores are encouraged to register for a tour on either day and explore the living and learning opportunities on the campus. 

Highlights they can look forward to include learning about our new shuttle system, touring four residence halls (each with unique living experiences!), sampling some of the food that will be served in Cabrini's dining halls, and exploring Sophomore Living and Learning Communities. Students will also hear about the academic departments that will be housed on the Cabrini Campus and tour the impressive Dixon Center, our 100,000-square-foot recreation facility.

If your rising sophomore has not yet registered, please encourage them to sign up and take advantage of this exciting opportunity to Discover the Cabrini Campus! 

In addition to classes, students can attend events and activities planned by the Office of Student Involvement (OSI) and the Campus Activities Team (CAT). Whether your Wildcat is into Quizzo, painting or taking a trip to Baltimore (all of which will be offered this month!), events are planned all semester long to meet the varied interests of our students. Event information is always included on OSI's Upcoming Events page, included in the weekly Wildcat Newswire email to students, and highlighted on the OSI and CAT Instagram accounts. As a reminder, some events, especially trips, have registration/payment requirements, and ticketing can move quickly!

On Monday, Jan. 26, OSI will host their Spring Involvement Fair in the Villanova Room from 4-7 p.m. Similar to the Fall Fair, students of all class years may attend to learn about clubs, organizations and activities. Encourage your Wildcat to try something brand new or cultivate an existing interest. Opportunity awaits, it's theirs for the taking!

Oh, what a night! Student Life is pleased to host the fifth annual Winter Gala on Friday, Feb. 6 from 8 p.m.-midnight in Connelly Center. This free event gathers undergraduate students from every class year for a great evening of music, dancing, food and games (alcohol available for Villanovans aged 21+). We recommend students wear formal attire, which can look different for everyone—a nice shirt and slacks, cocktail dresses or gowns, or a suit and tie. Student replies are requested by Saturday, Jan. 31 and can be submitted via the Winter Gala registration page. 

We can't wait! We will see you at Family Weekend, Friday, Sept. 25-Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026! As the schedule for this fun weekend evolves, we will update our events page with details about campus activities and the Wildcats' football game. We're looking forward to a great weekend with everyone! 

January is Financial Wellness Month, an annual initiative that encourages us all to focus on improving our financial health and setting goals for the year ahead! This is a great time to encourage your Wildcat to make a move towards financial wellness. Have them check out 1:1 Personal Finance Coaching opportunities at villanova.edu/financialwellness and schedule an appointment with any one of Villanova's trained counselors, including Peer Money Mentors.

If your Villanovan doesn't have time for a 1:1, they can check out the 24/7 resources on iGrad! Taking the Financial Wellness Checkup will get them personally curated, pertinent learning resources delivered to their profile. It’s secure, private and free!

Is your Villanovan in search of employment or looking for an internship? On Wednesday, Feb. 4, they can connect with companies and organizations looking to hire Villanovans during the Spring Career Fairs in Connelly Center's Villanova Room. The Liberal Arts and Sciences and Business Career Fair runs from 10 a.m.-1 p.m., and the STEM Fair will follow from 3-6 p.m. Each event is open to students of all class years and majors, and registration is not required. As a reminder, students should arrive prepared with their resume and dressed professionally for each event. 

In advance of the Career Fair, your Villanovan can carve out time to make use of the services available to them through the Career Center, located in Garey Hall. There will be opportunities for students to attend pre-fair preparation events. Your student can access additional information on the services, fairs, events and appointments through their Handshake account. 

Villanova’s Men’s and Women’s Basketball seasons are in full swing! Both programs got off to strong starts and aim to build momentum as conference play continues. Families are invited to attend upcoming events, game watches and enjoy ticket offers.  Sound like fun? Bookmark this page and continue to check back for updates to see what is happening in your area so you can cheer on the Wildcats!

Students and families are invited to register and learn more about moving to New York City after graduation during our virtual information session on Tuesday, Feb.17 from 5-6 p.m. ET. The event is sponsored by the Villanova University Alumni Association (VUAA) and hosted by Charlie Saunders '02, a Villanova alum and real estate broker operating in the New York area. A member from the Regional Club of NYC will also be joining to offer advice and insights on moving to New York City.

Villanova University will celebrate the Class of 2026 during our Bachelor's Degree Commencement and Recognition Ceremony on Tuesday, May 19. Families can begin to review a schedule of Commencement Week activities (for students only!) and the Commencement Day events planned for Tuesday, May 19. Please remember to follow @novagraduation on Instagram for the latest on all things Commencement 2026! 

Graduation can stir a mixture of emotions for students. Whether your Wildcat is excited and ready to launch, or hesitant to leave college behind, encourage them to consider joining their classmates at Crossroads. This senior retreat—held off-campus from Friday, Jan. 30 to Sunday, Feb. 1—is facilitated by Villanova faculty, staff and alumni. The retreat creates space for students to escape the busyness of the semester, reflect and share what the University has meant to them. Students and families can learn more about this event on the registration page.

Senior families can celebrate their Wildcat's achievements by creating a “grad ad” in the 2026 Belle Air Yearbook. Ads are available in full-page, half-page, quarter-page and eighth-page options and can be purchased through the Balfour website until Friday, May 15.

Villanova University Office of Parent and Family Relations

Phone: 610-519-6212

Email: parents@villanova.edu