I'll admit it! This is my favorite time at Villanova—there's growth, sunlight and celebration throughout campus. As our Wildcats prepare to finish the semester and return home, begin new classes or start jobs or internships, the information included below should help you navigate the final weeks together.

Commencement is less than a month away. Thank you, Class of 2026 Families, for the love and care you've shared with your Villanovans during these last four years and beyond. What an honor it's been to play a (small) role in your experiences within this community and to watch your Villanovans become who they are meant to be. Thank you for sharing them with us! I'll see you on campus as we celebrate together on Tuesday, May 19! In the meantime, remember to review commencement.villanova.edu for the latest details—a few highlights are included below, as well.

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

As your Wildcat's end-of-year plans solidify, please keep the following highlights in mind. Detailed information has been shared with residential students via email and can also be found on the Residence Life Resources page (scroll down to Move-Out Procedures).

Residence halls and on-campus apartments will close at noon on Wednesday, May 13 (students participating in Commencement or approved for another sponsored event must move out before 5 p.m. on Wednesday, May 20). As your Wildcat leaves their on-campus housing assignment, please keep the following in mind:

Family members of Villanova students—as well as University friends and visitors—can now easily sign up to receive NOVA Alert text messages by texting NOVAALERT to 333111. Students can still register family members’ devices through their own accounts, but this new option makes signing up quicker and more convenient. Families and visitors can opt out of receiving these text message alerts at any time by texting STOP NOVAALERT. Those who have already registered for NOVA Alert do not need to take any additional action. 

As a key piece of your Wildcat's network, we want to remind you of the University's academic and health and well-being resources. They're in place throughout the year, but are especially important during this time. Whether your Wildcat is a rising sophomore navigating finals and move-out, or soon-to-be Villanova alum, things can feel overwhelming. When help is needed, we ask that you encourage your Villanovan to contact their advisor, their professors or their Dean's office.

The following offices support students throughout the year, and may be especially helpful to your Wildcat at this time:

The Division of Student Life invites students to take a break with friends and classmates on Reading Day, Tuesday, May 5 from 9-11 p.m. in Dougherty Dining Hall! Breakfast favorites, prepared by Dining Services and served by a fun team of volunteer faculty and staff, will be on deck. Those who attend will be entered to win great prizes during drawings held throughout the night! Encourage your Wildcat to take a break with us, share some food and laughter, and maybe even walk away with a prize!

The Cabrini Campus revitalization and preparation for its opening in August 2026 is progressing! Residence hall and academic building construction continues, as does work to the roads, parking lots and walking paths throughout campus. As eager as we all are to explore the new campus and see the incredible space come to life, for your safety, we ask that visitors please refrain from driving through campus and trying to access buildings while these major construction projects are underway. We can't wait to welcome you and our students to campus in August.

The Office for Mission and Ministry (OMM) will host a panel discussion, “Pope Leo @ One: Augustinian, Pastoral, Prophetic,” on Tuesday, April 28 from 5-6:30 p.m. Eastern time. Marking the first anniversary of Pope Leo XIV’s election, the event will explore the early direction of his papacy through the lens of Villanova’s Augustinian Catholic tradition, with a focus on pastoral leadership, prophetic witness and engagement with the global Church. For more information and to register, please visit the Panel's event page. Attendees are welcome to register to attend in person or virtually. 

The Career Center is currently offering two funding opportunities. Students pursuing low-paying or unpaid internships this summer are eligible to apply for funding up to $5,000 through the Summer Internship Grant. In addition, students can enter to secure a $2,500 Iris Booth Career Scholarship by taking a professional headshot at the Career Center’s Iris Photo Booth and posting it on social media following the application guidelines. 

The recording of the Class of 2026 Commencement Information Webinar is available on our Commencement website. As a reminder, ALL information is available on the website, including lunch orders, steps to download the Nova Guides app, maps of campus (with parking options!) and more.

Text NOVAGRAD to 333111 and sign up for Commencement Text Alerts to receive information about schedule changes, weather updates, parking and traffic conditions and other important information. 

Graduation announcements, lawn signs, banners, thank you notes and other commemorative items are available from Villanova University Graphic Services. For ordering information and further details, please visit the iPRINT website. Villanova also partners with an off-campus vendor, The Commencement Group, that offers flower and gift options for graduates. Orders can be placed online and picked up on campus on Commencement day.

Celebrate your 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