PEOPLE WITH PURPOSE
Every week, the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences features student, faculty and alumni stories on social media. Here are a few highlights.
STUDENT SPOTLIGHTS
Rita Sogoti ’26 CLAS was selected for the prestigious 2025 Frederick Douglass-Daniel O’Connell Global Internship, and she joined an elite cohort of 12 high-achieving students for an eight-week international internship program in Dublin, Ireland. Rita’s selection reflects her academic excellence, entrepreneurial spirit and dedication to fostering positive change.
“I have experienced how education and the help of others can transform lives,” Rita shared in her application. As a Criminology major, she sees this as an opportunity to deepen her understanding of global issues and develop the skills to make a difference. “Through this global internship opportunity, I hope to gain new perspectives and skills to help my goal of becoming an immigration lawyer.”
For Matthew DiGiovanni ’28 CLAS, the future of artificial intelligence isn’t just something to study—it’s something to build. As a computer science major, he is diving into research that blends AI and virtual reality. Matthew’s passion for AI has been a driving force behind his academic pursuits.
Matthew’s research, under the guidance of Xue Qin, PhD, assistant professor of Computing Sciences, focuses on allowing GPT models to “see” through a VR device, enabling AI to analyze, interact, and navigate virtual spaces. Through this hands-on research, Matthew is deepening his understanding of the field. His advice to other students is simple but powerful, “find what you love and pour time and effort into it.”
Villanova Theatre graduate student Grace Acquilano '25 MA participated in the prestigious Irish Summer Studio at The Lir National Academy of Dramatic Art at Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland. Grace began the three-week program in Galway, Ireland, where students conducted independent research on a chosen topic using the Abbey Theatre archives at the University of Galway library. The final two weeks of the program took place in Dublin, where students participated in various classes at The Lir Academy.
“Before beginning preparations for this program, I had only encountered two Irish plays in my prior education,” says Acquilano. “I am grateful for the opportunity to study such beautiful plays that I hope to incorporate into my future career as a theatre educator someday.”
FACULTY FEATURES
ĂŰĚŇTV President the Rev. Peter M. Donohue, OSA, PhD, ’75 CLAS, has appointed the Rev. David Cregan, OSA, PhD, ’89 CLAS, as Dean of the College of Professional Studies (CPS). Father Cregan is replacing Christine Palus, PhD, who served as the CPS Dean for almost ten years before being appointed as the Senior Vice Provost in July 2025. Father Cregan most recently served as associate dean of Academic Affairs and Strategic Initiatives for the College of Professional Studies. In the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Father Cregan holds the rank of associate professor in Theatre, where he has taught at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. His scholarly expertise encompasses theatre and Irish studies. Father Cregan has taught across many departments and programs at Villanova, including Global and Interdisciplinary Studies, Honors, Gender and Women Studies, and Augustine and Culture Seminar Program.
Associate Professor Tsering Wangmo, PhD, a scholar of English-language literature and Tibetan diasporic studies as well as a poet and writer of non-fiction, has published a new book titled The Politics of Sorrow. Focusing on the early years of Tibetan exile life in India and Nepal, this book makes significant contributions to 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. Employing interviews with Tibetan elders and archival texts, her book explores the efforts of exiles from Tibet who settled in India to preserve their religious, cultural, and regional traditions.
Matthew O’Reilly, PhD, associate professor of Chemistry, was awarded the Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Award from the National Science Foundation (NSF). This five-year grant will support Dr. O’Reilly’s project, “Development of Chemical Tools for the Preparation of Strained Cyclic Peptides.” The CAREER Award recognizes early-career faculty who demonstrate the potential to serve as academic role models and lead advancements in their fields.
“It’s an honor to receive this distinguished award, and I am thankful to the NSF for their commitment to this important and challenging area of research,” says Dr. O’Reilly.
WHERE ARE THEY NOW?
On Wednesdays, the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences profiles alums and their fascinating careers and interests on social media. If you are interested in being featured, email clascomm@villanova.edu.
