LEADERSHIP PROGRAM
Villanova is where lawyers lead.
And Villanova lawyers can be found everywhere. From international law firms to government agencies, from nonprofit organizations to major corporations, our graduates are not only practicing law, but leading.
Whether acting as chief counsel, serving as executive director, or as an associate, law graduates are stepping up to the task by managing projects, leading teams and making strategic decisions.
These varied roles require skills that go beyond a traditional legal education. Employers increasingly seek lawyers who possess emotional intelligence, social awareness and cultural awareness—all characteristics needed to succeed in practice. While the common assumption had been that leaders are born, not made, current research shows that leadership competencies can be taught and learned through education, awareness and practice.
At Villanova Law, we are dedicated to identifying, fostering and developing these critical skills in our students through specific initiatives at the intersection of law and leadership.
LEADERSHIP AT VILLANOVA LAW
Student Leader Summit
Leaders of student organizations start the academic year in August with a one-day retreat, facilitated by faculty and staff, designed to help them identify, set and achieve goals for their organizations. In addition, the retreat aims to help student leaders recognize and develop essential leadership competencies, empowering student leaders to enhance their decision-making, communication and organizational skills throughout the academic year.
Lawyers as Leaders Program
Faculty and staff convene monthly meetings with students to discuss leadership frameworks, competencies and skills. These sessions focus on strategies for approaching potential challenges and offer guidance on how to apply leadership skills in real-world situations.
Professional Development Program
Every student participates in our three-year Professional Development program, which guides them in acquiring the professional skills and competencies they will need to succeed throughout their careers. One of the program’s competencies addresses Leadership and Values. Students set their own goals and make plans to achieve them, then use the Professional Development program offerings and self-directed activities to advance their development. Many of the programs focus on leadership-related skills, such as acting on your values, active listening, and building strong professional relationships. Reflections and planning exercises help ensure that students are progressing toward their goals.
Centers of Excellence
Our five centers of excellence, each focusing on a particular area of legal policy and practice, sponsor numerous programs throughout the academic year, including visits to the law school by leaders from the private and public sector. The John F. Scarpa Center for Law and Entrepreneurship, for example, hosts an entrepreneur in residence each semester and the David F. and Constance B. Girard DiCarlo Center for Ethics, Integrity and Compliance offers programming on values-based leadership. Each center also has a student fellow program, which allows interested students to participate in planning and running the center’s programs.
Clinics
Villanova Law operates eight in-house clinics in which students represent real clients under the direct supervision of a full-time faculty member. Clinics allow students to exercise formal and informal leadership by working in small groups and helping their clients to address real-world issues.
- The Charles Widger ’73 Leadership Scholarship is a full-year, full-tuition scholarship awarded each year to a select group of students who have demonstrated strong leadership potential. Additionally, recipients receive personal mentoring from Mr. Widger and access to leadership coaching and development coaching and training.
- Public Interest Leadership Scholars are selected from a competitive applicant pool based on prior academic achievement, leadership, public interest and commitment to public service. Recipients receive mentoring and support, and access to leadership development coaching and training.
- Heller McGuinness Endowed Leadership Chair: The Chair recognizes faculty who lead within the Villanova Law and wider legal communities, serving as a leadership example to students.
- Dean’s Distinguished Fellows: Villanova Law brings renowned scholars to campus in a range of areas of law, leadership and business. Among the leading academics and leaders in their respective fields, the invited Fellows teach select courses, lead seminars and give lectures.
- Faculty and Staff Leadership Development Workshop
- Villanova Law partners with Seattle University School of Law each year for the "Promoting Diversity in Law School Leadership Workshop." The workshop is offered to encourage and assist members of underrepresented groups to pursue deanships and other university and law school leadership positions.
12,000+
ALUMNI
Since its founding in 1950, Villanova Law has produced leaders in law, in government, in business and in the community. We are the proud alma mater to numerous leaders, including a former U.S. Senator; a former Governor; a Congressman; countless CEOs, COOs and members of corporate counsel; judges at senior levels and notable community advocates.