A Villanova Experience Shaped by Leadership and Connection

Cecily Ritchie ’25 MA has always had a passion for involvement and for higher education. At Villanova University, she turned that passion into action, fully immersing herself in campus opportunities that would shape her future. The lessons she learned along the way helped prepare her for a career she stepped into soon after graduation.

“I’m very grateful that I got an education at Villanova,” Ritchie said. “Learning from so many other people in my cohort was super beneficial because all of us have different experiences. We were all still learning the same material and relating it to each other.”

Ritchie, a graduate of the Master of Arts in Education program with a concentration in Higher Education Leadership, dove headfirst into opportunities that supported her academic and professional development. She held multiple leadership roles, including Graduate Student Council president and graduate student ambassador, while also gaining hands-on experience as a graduate assistant in the Office for Undergraduate Students and as a graduate intern in the Office for Student Involvement.

“I was able to really connect those experiences with my education, especially my graduate assistant positions,” Ritchie said. “That really taught me how to work in a higher ed setting.”

In her graduate program, Ritchie found the classes to be especially impactful. She credits her coursework with helping her develop the skills and confidence needed to pursue her professional goals.

“A lot of what I was learning in classes, I am now able to demonstrate in my job,” said Ritchie, who is now a student engagement coordinator at a university. “One of my favorite things was that we had so much freedom and creativity in our projects, where I could really take a deep dive into my interests.”

In her current role, she works closely with undergraduate college students to develop programs and initiatives that foster connection, involvement and a sense of belonging across campus.

When asked to reflect on the Villanova faculty mentors who had the greatest impact on her academic journey, Ritchie said two professors immediately came to mind: Seth Matthew Fishman, PhD, and Helen Lafferty, PhD.

“Dr. Fishman was really helpful with getting us on the right track, and he did a great job making courses relevant to what’s happening today in higher education,” Ritchie said. “Dr. Lafferty was very motivating; she really believed in everyone, and it showed.”

Ritchie has a piece of advice for incoming graduate education students: “Don’t be afraid to ask questions, try different experiences, and dive into other areas; there are so many opportunities,” she said. “Get involved, go to events, and take advantage of everything your master’s program has to offer.”