Letter from the Dean

On behalf of everyone working in the Dean’s Office, I’d like to welcome you to the beginning of the 2005-2006 academic year. We in the Dean’s Office look forward to a productive year and the opportunity to work with you in the days and months ahead.

The beginning of a school year is an appropriate and fitting time to ask ourselves the question that so many of our students ask themselves: What can I do with a liberal arts degree? This query weighs heavily on the minds of many students, and quite simply, the answer is whatever they dream. Our students are only limited by their own imaginations, visions, and desires.

Employers in the 21st century seek to hire bright, ambitious, and ethically-conscious individuals with superb reading, writing, thinking, and problem-solving abilities. A degree in the liberal arts from Villanova makes our students desirable job applicants and candidates for admission to graduate school. Our alumni have gone on to pursue meaningful post-graduate work at other fine universities across the country and fulfilling careers in business, education, journalism, law, medicine, and many, many more fields of professional endeavor.

At the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, our students develop the critical-thinking, analytical, and communication skills necessary to succeed in all facets of life. Our robust core curriculum engages students in a broad range of disciplines using a variety of approaches and modes of inquiry, while striving to ensure depth of study and intellectual sophistication. This holistic approach allows our students to specialize in a particular area of study while exploring other areas of interest, thereby enriching and broadening the educational experience.

As we begin another school year, let us remember that the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences exists to provide an atmosphere of responsible learning to a varied group of students called to intellectual, moral, and professional leadership. Dedicated to the total growth of the individual, the College prepares students to make significant, vital, and lasting contributions to society through a vast array of different career options.

So what can our students do with a liberal arts degree? Whatever they dream! Together, let’s help our students realize their infinite potential.

As you know, Father Ellis is enjoying a sabbatical leave. He will return to the College in January 2006. Meanwhile, please know that staff in the Dean’s Office is ready and willing to help you in any way possible.

Sincerely,

Catherine Hill, Ed.D.
Acting Dean of the College

The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Welcomes New Staff

Nancy Allen, Ph.D., is the director of Academic Advising and Professional Development in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Dr. Allen brings almost two decades of advising experience to Villanova. Through her role, she works with faculty who advise first- and second-year students in the College. She also teaches “Literary Experience” for the English department.

“Liberal arts and sciences students at Villanova have the time needed to explore academic majors during the first year while they ask questions about career interests and directions,” Dr. Allen said. “As advisors, we want to assist students in making a choice about an academic major that will prepare them for a lifetime of meaningful work and growth, not just for the first job after completing the degree.”

Dr. Allen did her undergraduate work at Bucknell University in English and has an M.A. from Duquesne University and a Ph.D. from New York University in English.

Lynda Capuzzi is the assistant director of Academic Advising and Professional Development. Ms. Capuzzi brings 12 years of advising experience at Villanova to the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. She has worked closely with first-year students, helping them to make informed choices regarding minors and the use of advanced placement and pre-matriculation credit. She was also involved in providing professional development programming for undergraduates.

Lynda believes that the search for the right vocation starts with a liberal education. Her role in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences will enable her to help students explore the many possibilities available to them through such an education. “Our role as advisers is to instill life-long learning in our students,” she said.

Lynda received her Civil Engineering degree from Villanova University.

Karima I.A. Bouchenafa, M.A., is the new associate director of the Honors Program. Karima comes to Honors from Academic Advising and replaces former Associate Director Christine Muller, who left the College in August 2005 to pursue a Ph.D. in American Studies at the University of Maryland.

Karima looks forward to the opportunity to work with students in the Honors Program and to further develop the program in collaboration with Ed Goff, Ph.D., associate dean and director of the Honors Program; Barbara Romano, Honors Program coordinator; and Jane Morris, director of the Office of Undergraduate Grants and Awards.