Please join us on Friday, April 19, from 2-3:30 p.m. in the Connelly Center Cinema as we celebrate the official launch of the 2024 issue of CONCEPT, our interdisciplinary journal of graduate studies in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. The ceremony will recognize this year’s Graduate Research Prize for top paper, along with all of the student authors and editors, faculty editors, and peer reviewers.

The panel discussion will be held in the Cinema, followed by a reception beginning at 3:30 p.m. in the Grad Center Student Lounge in Vasey Hall. This event will also be livestreamed.

CONCEPT accepts submissions from Villanova graduate students in all fields of the arts and sciences and is an opportunity for them to share their scholarship and research.

The 2024 edition of CONCEPT marks the 47th release of the journal. This ACS-approved event, co-sponsored by Falvey Library, the Office of Graduate Studies in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, and the Center for Graduate Research and Education, is free and open to the public.

Visit the CONCEPT website to learn more about the journal and to browse past volumes.

This spring semester the Office of Graduate Studies in Villanova University’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences proudly presents a series of community discussions titled “Intersectional Reflections.” Events in the series will celebrate the diversity in Graduate Studies and will invite us to explore the influence of our own identities along our academic journeys and how we can be allies to those who do not share our identities.

The Intersectional Reflections Kickoff Dinner Discussion will officially launch this series of community conversations, which are aimed at providing the graduate students of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences with an in-depth and intimate look into the identity experiences of members across the graduate community. The opening event will feature a discussion with Dr. Terry Nance, Vice President for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Chief Diversity Officer and Professor of Communication at Villanova University.

Join us on Friday, Nov. 10 from 5:30- 7:30 p.m. in Garey Hall, Room 10A for great food and conversation as we celebrate our champion for diversity who will retire at the end of this year. Learn from her story as we launch a series about how to successfully navigate graduate education and professional development experiences in spaces where your identities may be minoritized. Seating is limited. Please register here.

Other planned reflections for the 2023-2024 academic year:

• Reflection #1 (February 2024): AAPI, BIPOC & Hispanic Identity
• Reflection #2 (March 2024): First Generation Student Identity
• Reflection #3 (Early April 2024): LGBTQIA Identity

You can learn more about the Intersectional Reflections series here.

This event is sponsored by the Office of Graduate Studies in Villanova University’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

In April, a virtual event was held to celebrate the release of the 2022 edition of CONCEPT,  the scholarly journal of graduate students in the Villanova University College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS). This year’s edition of CONCEPT marks the 45th volume in the series.

Hosted by Emory Woodard, PhD, Dean, Graduate Studies in CLAS, the virtual recognition ceremony served as an opportunity to learn more about the multi-faceted process of getting CONCEPT prepared for publication. From enlisting faculty and graduate students to serve as editors and peer reviewers, carefully evaluating the many student submissions, and painstakingly editing student work—there are many steps involved in this great undertaking. At the event, students and faculty discussed their experiences working on production of the journal. You can view the event here.

CONCEPT accepts papers from graduate students in the arts and sciences and seeks to feature exceptional interdisciplinary work. It is published in partnership with the Office of Graduate Studies in CLAS and Falvey Library.

This year’s edition features papers covering a wide range of subjects, including Theatre, Psychology, English, History, Political Science, Philosophy, Human Resources Development, and Classical Studies.

We would like to especially highlight the work of two outstanding graduate student employees at Falvey Library: Emily Poteat and Ethan Shea. Poteat, a history major, is a graduate assistant for Distinctive Collections and Digital Engagement and Villanova’s Irish Studies Program. Her paper is titled, “Operation Barbarossa and Hitler’s War on the Eastern Front.” Shea, an English major, is a graduate assistant for the Communication and Marketing department. His piece is titled “The Unracing of Whiteness in Heart of Darkness.”

We are also proud to recognize the efforts of Library staff member Dave Uspal for his technical support of the journal. He is a member of the Technology Services department at Falvey Library.

Check out the article by Graduate Studies CLAS to learn more about the virtual event and to learn more about papers featured in the current issue, which is available in digital and print formats.

Falvey would like to congratulate the many faculty, staff, and students that made CONCEPT 2022 possible!

Regina Duffy is a Communication and Marketing Manager on the Communication and Marketing team in Falvey Memorial Library.