Villanova University College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

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Villanova University College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences cultivates knowledge, understanding and intellectual courage for a purposeful life. in Philosophy.
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The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at Villanova, the largest and oldest of the University’s four undergraduate colleges, was founded by the Augustinian Order in 1842. Since its creation in 1842, the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences has distinguished itself from its peers by an unwavering dedication to undergraduate education. A true emphasis on undergraduate education allows students to

study with faculty who are experts in their fields so that they gain a deep understanding of the fundamentals of critical insight, mature judgment, and independent thinking, and a sense of the importance of values and the moral responsibility of caring for others and working for the betterment of society. The academic majors, minors, and concentrations offered by the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences reflect the College’s mission to provide all of its students with an interdisciplinary and diversified academic program and core curriculum, which offer its students a scale of well-defined universal values that equips them to be wise critics of the society in which they live. That said, the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at Villanova University is an ideal place to pursue your graduate education. Our extensive program offerings in Graduate Liberal Arts and Sciences include more than twenty master's degrees, more than forty pre- and post-master's certificates, and a Ph.D.

06/23/2026

As she prepares to spend the summer immersed in policy work in Washington, D.C., Paige Duffy ’28 CLAS is building on a passion for public service.

A Political Science and French and Francophone Studies double major, Paige was selected for the Roosevelt in Washington Fellowship, a six-month career exploration and professional development program that combines virtual training during the spring semester with a full-time summer internship in the nation’s capital.

“I will be continuing my previous work with the Roosevelt Network in an immersive, community-focused environment that emphasizes my previous work in research, quantitative data analysis, policy brief-writing and progressive policy investigation,” says Paige.

After interning with state and local politicians throughout high school, Paige came to Villanova with a clear academic direction. “I love being involved in initiatives that better my community, whether that be on a small or large scale,” she shares. “Through my academic and professional experiences, I’ve become especially interested in human rights, public policy and political philosophy.”

Paige’s interest in French and Francophone Studies stems from her curiosity about culture, language and global perspectives. “Studying French has allowed me to engage with diverse histories, political movements and societal debates across the world,” she explains. “It has deepened my understanding of how language both reflects and influences identity and politics.”

Paige shares that her studies prepared her with the strong research, writing and critical thinking skills that directly apply to her fellowship work. “My time spent in Dr. John Harles’ Political Theory class has provided me with the opportunity to analyze public policy from a lens based on the philosophical views of major thinkers throughout history,” she adds. “These perspectives are essential in working for organizations like Roosevelt that live in a continual search for answers pertaining to justice, accountability and equality.”

06/19/2026

This , we celebrate the Robert M. Birmingham Chair in the Humanities and Professor of History Judith Giesberg, PhD, recipient of the 2026 Outstanding Faculty Research Award (OFRA)!

The Outstanding Faculty Research Award is presented to a member of the Villanova faculty who demonstrates the highest standards of excellence in their research, scholarship and contributions to their field.

“I am deeply honored to receive the OFRA,” said Dr. Giesberg. “I have always stood in awe of the extraordinary and exciting work of my Villanova colleagues and am delighted, now, to share this distinction with them.”

In 2016, working with a group of graduate History students, she began building the Last Seen archive, which works to identify, digitize, transcribe and publish advertisements placed in newspapers across the United States and beyond by formerly enslaved people searching for loved ones after emancipation. Beginning with a goal of publishing 1,000 ads from the immediate aftermath of the Civil War, the project now documents over 5,000 items, offering an unprecedented glimpse into the lives of the era’s Black families.

“In the period of the US Civil War and Reconstruction, I am drawn to topics that reveal how the war blurred the line between combatants and non-combatants, breached the separation between battlefield and home front,” Dr. Giesberg said. “I tell the stories of women and children who were drawn into the war’s violence and for whom the war did not follow a neat timeline.”

Her latest book “Last Seen: The Enduring Search By Formerly Enslaved People to Find Their Lost Families,” selected as a finalist for the 2026 Gilder Lehrman Lincoln Prize and named to NPR’s 2025 Books We Love list, follows 10 freepeople as they search for the families they were sold away from during slavery. “Last Seen brings to light the extraordinary determination of members of freedom generation to find their lost families, their courage and enduring love,” she added.

06/16/2026

“College is a time to explore, especially academically, and to be open to discovering new interests and possible career paths.”

Coming into college, Political Science and Communication major Katherine Asante ’27 CLAS thought she had a career in biology planned out. Then came Villanova’s immersion programs.

Over the past three years, Katherine has attended six trips through experiential learning opportunities in the College or the University’s Career Center, including the Washington D.C. Minimester, Villanova at the Agency in New York City and Los Angeles’ Villanova on Set. From meeting with policymakers in the nation’s capital to touring Hollywood studios and top marketing agencies, these trips connect current students with alumni working across various fields including entertainment, public relations and advertising, entrepreneurship, law, government and public policy.

“Attending gave me the chance to step outside the classroom, learn directly from industry professionals and connect with people at different stages of their careers,” she said. She says the experiences have sharpened her vision for the future—a career in media and public relations.

“The biggest takeaways from my experiences are the importance of networking and knowing your story ... when you meet new people, especially in professional settings, you need to be able to clearly communicate who you are, what you’re interested in, and what goals you’re working toward,” she added. Immersions also offer opportunities to develop key professional skills including relationship building and informational interviewing.

“No matter what college you are in, there are so many experiences that can help you explore your interests and discover the career path you want to pursue ... these experiences introduced me to amazing people who have truly impacted my life and helped me learn more about who I am and what I am passionate about,” she added. “Being a Villanova student has shown me how supportive the community truly is.”

06/12/2026

This , we congratulate Professor and Chair of Physics David Chuss, PhD, recipient of the 2026 University Scholarly Achievement Award!

The award recognizes excellence on the part of faculty for published research, scholarship and/or creative expression. “It is really quite an honor to be recognized by the faculty at the university,” said Dr. Chuss. “Given the high quality of work being done around the University, it really means a lot to have ours recognized.”

His research pursues how novel instruments can advance astrophysics—including how infrared technology can unveil the magnetic forces that shape our universe.

Our galaxy is home to vast plumes of interstellar dust, which release radio waves that carry magnetic information. “I specialize in instrumentation in the infrared through radio parts of the spectrum that measure the polarization of light—that is, the directions of the oscillation of the radiation,” he said. “At longer wavelengths, similar data are used to explore the physics of the very early universe.”

Like brushstrokes on a canvas, these trails of polarization reveal the magnetic field lines that underpin our galaxy’s interstellar medium and regulate how stars are formed. “By making such measurements in the infrared, we can gain a better understanding of how interstellar magnetic fields affect the dynamics of our Galaxy,” he added. “Several postdocs and students also made significant contributions to this work over the years.”

Dr. Chuss’ latest project, “Far-InfraRed Polarimetric Large Area CMZ Exploration (FIREPLACE),” maps a 500 light-year section of the Milky Way. “We are working on a more thorough data reduction to enhance the recent map of our Galactic center that shows the magnetic field geometry in the cool dust component of the central 500 light years of the Milky Way,” he explained. He will continue collaborating with Villanova Physics, Astronomy and Engineering majors to refine this work.

06/11/2026

Through their teaching and caring guidance, Villanova faculty embody the values of Veritas, Unitas and Caritas, inspiring generations of students to pursue their passions and become thoughtful leaders in service to others. As Reunion Weekend approaches, we’re sharing memories from our alumni about the faculty mentors who helped shape them.

Villanova University Alumni Association

06/09/2026

As summer unfolds, we’re highlighting a few members of the class of 2026! Anthony DeAngelo ’26 CLAS earned a Falvey Scholar Award in recognition of his senior project, “Tuning Photocatalytic Activity: Monometallic Ruthenium Complexes for Aromatic Alcohol Oxidation.” As a Biochemistry major, he studied how chemistry can be used to address real-world issues.

“I became interested in photocatalysis because it offers a way to use light, an abundant and renewable resource, to drive chemical reactions,” Anthony said. He pursued how small, intentional changes to molecular structure can significantly impact catalytic performance, creating more efficient ways to produce key industrial materials like PVC for pipes. “If we can harness that energy in order to promote these chemical transformations, we’ve won.”

Yet the research wasn’t a linear process—a reality that he says carried both technical and emotional lessons. “Many of my initial ideas did not work as expected, and I had to repeatedly adjust my approach based on experimental results,” he explained. “Through this, I learned how to think more critically and adaptively when solving complex problems. I also gained a deeper understanding of how molecular design, electronic structure and reactivity are interconnected.”

Anthony also learned to view challenges and unexpected results as part of the process, rather than only setbacks. “Research is a process of learning by doing, and a lot of growth comes from working through uncertainty,” he added. “It is also important to be patient and persistent, since progress often comes through trial and error. Taking advantage of available resources, such as library databases and faculty mentorship, can make a significant difference. Most importantly, staying curious and open to unexpected results can lead to some of the most meaningful discoveries.”

Congratulations, Anthony!

06/05/2026

This , many congratulations to Professor of Chemistry Barry Selinsky, PhD, recipient of the 2026 Outstanding Faculty Mentor Teaching Award!

“I truly value this recognition of my efforts to provide unique experiences for our Chemistry students,” said Dr. Selinsky. “We work with students side by side, engaging them in our research while teaching the practices and subtleties necessary for success in science."

Dr. Selinsky’s researches dual-function enzymes, a group of proteins that trigger two separate chemical reactions in sequence. “The best-known example is cyclooxygenase, involved in the preparation of prostaglandins and important in pain and inflammation, he said." His work focuses on bacterial enzymes that carry out similar reactions. "In plants, these are needed to make hormones, but we don’t know what their function is in bacteria.”

Over his 38 years at Villanova, Dr. Selinsky has embraced the University’s teacher-scholar model, maintaining high-caliber research while also guiding countless students to a deeper understanding of the chemistry behind our everyday lives. In the Selinsky Lab, students produce and purify enzymes for further study, often sharing their findings at national or international conferences. This spring, four Villanovans presented at the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology conference in Washington, D.C.

“I particularly enjoy topics that relate complicated concepts to life experiences encountered by students, such as disease,” he added. “Most of these lessons have general applications, helping students to make intelligent decisions and solve life problems,” he said. “I have always believed that every student should have the opportunity to work with a faculty mentor and benefit from individualized, personalized instruction and guidance. Working with students in this manner has been the most fulfilling contribution that I have made at Villanova.”

06/03/2026

“Apply to everything you're eligible for, even if you don't think you'll get it.”

For Gillen Curren, MS, ’22 CLAS, that mindset has led to opportunities she once thought were out of reach and helped her launch a career at GHD, an international organization dedicated to developing sustainable solutions for water, energy and communities. As an environmental scientist, Curren focuses on remediation projects for contaminated sites.

“I enjoy knowing that the work I do creates change in the world,” she says. “It's great to know the work I do brings environmental media closer to being free of contamination and keeps the public safe."

During her time at Villanova, Curren pursued a double major in Environmental Science and Geography, as well as minors in Biology and Spanish. She shares how her interdisciplinary coursework broadened her perspective and strengthened the critical thinking skills she relies on each day.

“The large breadth of courses we had as part of the CLAS curriculum made me a more well-rounded person,” says Curren. "I'm able to take the lessons and ways of thinking I learned from the different disciplines that are part of the CLAS core curriculum and apply them to scenarios that occur in both my professional and personal life.”

Within the Department of Geography and Environment, Curren found a strong community that encouraged her curiosity and growth. She particularly appreciated the guidance of her senior thesis mentor, Nathaniel Weston, PhD, associate professor and chair of the department. “Even though he was extremely busy as department chair, he always found time to help me with my research and offered great advice.”

As an alumna, Curren finds joy in reconnecting with fellow Villanovans and staying involved on campus. “Believe in yourself and sell your ability to learn and grow,” she advises new graduates. “You're a competitive candidate who's got a degree from a challenging university!”

06/02/2026

For Trinity Franklin ’26 CLAS, language is more than a subject of study, it is a way of understanding the world.

Trinity explains that languages have long played an important role in her life. “I’ve always been interested in language and linguistics. I grew up hearing a lot from friends and classmates speaking different languages,” she says. Upon arriving at Villanova, Trinity found an opportunity combine her passion for languages, cultural knowledge and critical thinking by double majoring in Spanish and Latin American Studies. This spring, her dedication to her studies has been recognized through two Medallion Awards for Academic Excellence: the St. Theresa of Ávila Award and the Berta Cáceres Award.

Now a recent graduate, Trinity’s volunteer work with Centro de Cultura, Arte, Trabajo y Educación, a local nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering the Latinx community, helped crystalize her career goals. “[The experience] gave me a clear example of how an impactful nonprofit runs,” she shares. “It also showed me the need for bilingual Spanish-English speakers in the PA region.”

Reflecting on the value of an education in the liberal arts, Trinity offers advice to fellow Villanovans. “Please, do not let people make you feel like your education was wasted because you didn’t study business or something STEM related. We need artists, poets, writers, journalists, historians, and most importantly, curious people.”

05/29/2026

Congratulations to our feature, Cera Murtagh, PhD, associate professor of Political Science and Irish Studies! Dr. Murtagh recently published her book, "Civic Parties in Divided Societies: Northern Ireland and Bosnia-Herzegovina."

In places shaped by conflict, politics are often reduced to a simple story of stark polarization between two opposing sides. According to Dr. Murtagh, PhD, that narrative overlooks a more complex reality. In her new book, she explores how a different kind of politics is taking place in deeply divided countries.

Focusing on Northern Ireland and Bosnia-Herzegovina where most political parties organize along ethnic lines, she examines the rise of civic parties that seek to reach across the divide—rejecting ethnonationalism and organizing around alternative identities and issues such as class, gender and social justice. “My research examines how societies move on from conflict—not just to signing a peace agreement, but beyond that, towards a fuller sense of democracy,” she explains.

The book draws on more than a decade of Dr. Murtagh’s research, including extensive fieldwork in Northern Ireland and Bosnia-Herzegovina. During that time, she conducted more than 100 interviews with politicians, activists and civil society leaders, in addition to focus groups with voters. “It was a real privilege,” she says. “People were incredibly generous with their time and insights, and that shaped not just the findings, but my understanding of the problem itself.”

Following peace agreements, power-sharing systems in Northern Ireland and Bosnia-Herzegovina were established to give former conflict groups guaranteed representation in the political sphere. However, these systems left limited space for parties organizing outside traditional ethnic identities. Yet, “Despite these barriers, civic parties show really creative agency in how they navigate the system and have even taken up positions in government,” says Dr. Murtagh.

Dr. Murtagh sees lessons that extend beyond these case studies, offering insights into how civic movements and social movements can navigate deep political divides and make a meaningful impact.

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Villanova, PA
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