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COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS AND SCIENCES

UNITAS: INCLUSIVE EDUCATION

Ed Fierros, Associate Dean of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, talks to a student.

Commitment to UNITAS

Learning to see through the eyes of other peoples and cultures is essential to a liberal arts education. Villanova and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences are committed to offering a curriculum that, as stated in the University’s Learning Goals, encourages students to recognize how different ideas, behaviors and systems affect individuals’ sense of community and belonging and influence efforts to build a just and peaceful world. Consistent with those goals and the University’s mission, students in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences take at least two courses with the UNITAS Division 1-3 designation, indicated by a DIV attribute.

The College has several undergraduate and graduate degree programs relevant to UNITAS.

In addition to the College's UNITAS: Inclusive Education Committee, each department within the College has its own UNITAS committee, comprising of faculty, staff and students.

  

The College UNITAS: Inclusive Education Committee invites your ideas and suggestions.

  

  

CELEBRATING DIFFERENCE

RECOVERING FAMILY HISTORIES

What would you do to find the family you lost? For decades after the abolition of slavery, thousands of formerly enslaved people placed ads in newspapers, eager to reconnect with loved ones who were cruelly separated from their families. These deeply moving stories of family, loss and resilience are at the heart of "Last Seen: The Enduring Search by Formerly Enslaved People to Find Their Lost Families," a new book by Judith Giesberg, PhD, Robert M. Birmingham Chair in the Humanities and Professor of History. Dr. Giesberg’s book is a product of her ongoing project “Last Seen: Finding Family After Slavery.”

RESEARCHING WOMEN AND THE CHURCH

Meredith Green ’25 CLAS presented her research project, “Foundations of the Feminine: Reaffirming Femaleness Through the Christian Philosophical and Theological Framework,” at the Honors Senior Research Conference. “For the past two years, I've worked as a research assistant for an anthology on female philosophers arguing for women's rights from backgrounds in the Christian faith,” says Meredith, a double major in Public Service and Administration and Humanities with a Writing and Rhetoric minor. “This inspired me to dive deeper into understanding how the Christian theological and philosophical framework can contribute to conversations about feminism.”

CENTERING TIBETAN VOICES

Associate Professor Tsering Wangmo, PhD, a scholar of English and Tibetan diasporic studies, has published a new book, The Politics of Sorrow. Focusing on the early years of Tibetan exile life in India and Nepal. This book marks a significant change in the fields of nationalism studies, refugee identity and Tibetan historiography. “My intention was to center Tibetan experiences and to write about history and exile from the perspective of ordinary Tibetans,” Dr. Wangmo explains—contrary to the traditional academic approach of treating displaced peoples as research subjects and instead emphasizing their role as co-creators of knowledge.

SHAPING STUDENT SUCCESS

As future leaders in education, Drew Doughan ’25 MA and Nicole Roldan ’25 MA know they have a responsibility to positively shape the success of students. Doughan and Roldan recently participated in the Council of Graduate Schools Advocacy Day in which they engaged with federal agency officials and members of Congress to discuss issues impacting US graduate education. “One of my goals for graduate school was to learn how to advocate for change,” says Doughan. “This gave me direct experience in speaking with policymakers about issues I care about.”

UNIVERSITY RESOURCES

Students talk outside

UNITAS: OFFICE OF COMMUNITY ENRICHMENT

A student get's tutoring help in the library.

LEARNING SUPPORT

Eloise Berry and a student pose for a picture at the Multicultural Student Reception.

BELONGING & INCLUSION

A group of students work together at a table outside.

CENTER FOR ACCESS SUCCESS AND ACHIEVEMENT

Flags from across the world hang from the ceiling in the Connelly Center.

OFFICE FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS AND SCHOLARS

A female student works in the lab.

VILLANOVA INITIATIVE TO SUPPORT INCLUSIVENESS AND BUILD LEADERS

Pictured is a group of Villanova students who are a part of LEVEL, which is a student group formed to bridge the gap between students with various abilities and disabilities.

DISABILITY SERVICES