Villanova University College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

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Villanova University College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

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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.

10/23/2026

This , please join us in congratulating Associate Professors of Biology Megan Povelones, PhD, and Michael Povelones, PhD, on being awarded a $2,319,953 National Institutes of Health R01 research grant!

The five-year project investigates how a group of single-celled parasites called kinetoplastids sense their environment, attach to insect tissue and transition between developmental stages critical for disease transmission. Although the diseases these parasites cause affect millions of individuals worldwide, certain aspects of how the parasites survive within insect hosts and prepare for transmission remain poorly understood.

"All of these parasites depend on insects to complete their life cycle," says Dr. Megan Povelones. "To stop transmission, we first need to understand the biological mechanisms that allow parasites to survive, develop and move between hosts."

The researchers have developed a model system using Crithidia fasciculata, a parasite that naturally infects mosquitoes but shares many biological characteristics with its human disease-causing relatives. Utilizing a new mosquito insectary on campus that supports studies of insect-host interactions and vector-borne disease biology, they will be able to observe the parasite’s behavior in real time and manipulate conditions as they study these biological processes.

"This project is really about understanding how a single event, attachment, can completely reprogram a cell," explains Dr. Michael Povelones. "The parasite senses something about its environment, attaches and then fundamentally changes its biology to survive in a new setting. We're working to identify the signals and pathways that drive that transformation."

The researchers hope their findings will contribute to broader efforts to combat neglected vector-borne diseases.

"Many of these diseases disproportionately affect some of the world's most vulnerable populations," adds Dr. Megan Povelones. "By understanding these fundamental biological processes, we may ultimately help create opportunities for new intervention strategies that prevent infection before it starts."

10/22/2026

On a stroll around campus, you might spot several pollinator gardens managed by the Villanova Grounds Crew in collaboration with the College’s Center for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Stewardship (CBEST). This week, Radnor Township’s Environmental Advisory Council presented the University with the Eco-Friendly Yard Award in recognition of their work in extensively planting native trees, shrubs and perennials around campus while following environmentally friendly care and maintenance practices. Learn more about CBEST’s efforts to support our local ecosystems at the link in our bio.

10/16/2026

Many congratulations to Assistant Professor of Mathematics and Statistics Nick Miller, PhD, whose paper “Arithmeticity, superrigidity, and totally geodesic submanifolds” received the 2026 Frontiers of Science Award from the International Congress of Basic Science!

“It is a tremendous honor for my collaborators and me; having our work recognized internationally is humbling, and I am grateful to have been part of it,” Dr. Miller says. “When you work on hard problems, many ideas fail before one leads somewhere, and day to day, that can be disheartening. When a breakthrough does come, it is something to hold on to. For me, this award is a reminder of both that success and the perseverance behind it.”

As a teacher and scholar, he’s drawn to problems at the intersection of different mathematic fields. His current research looks more closely at hyperbolic geometry and manifold shapes. “It's a special but surprisingly ubiquitous kind of geometry, and it has been an extremely fruitful area of mathematics for the last 50 years,” he explains.

“The shapes we study are natural higher-dimensional versions of the saddle-shaped surfaces students encounter in Calculus 3 (MAT 2500) ... what made the project especially interesting was that it brought together ideas from areas that can seem quite distinct, including dynamics and number theory. As you go further, you begin to ask why those methods work, what connects one idea to another and what deeper structures lie underneath.”

Discovery in mathematics, he says, can often look like a solitary process. “But some of the most rewarding parts of my career have come from thinking through difficult questions with other people,” he reflects. Similar thoughts reemerge while teaching his favorite courses from the department’s pure mathematics curriculum—where even the basics can still offer revelations.

“Each class has its own ideas and challenges, and I enjoy finding a way to share what makes those ideas interesting,” he says. “Getting to know and mentoring students is one of the pleasures of teaching and it keeps me going; I learn from them every time I teach, and their energy is infectious.”

10/15/2026

Happy fall, Villanova!

10/13/2026

“Doing something as simple as talking to a professor about joining their research lab could change the trajectory of your academic career,” says Paige Irrgang ’28 CLAS.

A Psychology major with a passion for neuroscience, Paige chose Villanova for the research opportunities she knew would help her prepare for her future in the field. This summer, she was selected for the Gregor Mendel Scholars Program, joining a cohort of undergraduates participating in faculty-mentored research experiences in laboratory sciences. Through the program, she worked with Ben Sachs, PhD, Assistant Professor of Psychological and Brain Sciences.

In the Sachs Lab, Dr. Sachs and student researchers study the neurobiological mechanisms underlying psychiatric and substance abuse disorders. Paige’s project explores why individuals with certain genetic mutations may respond differently to antidepressants such as fluoxetine (Prozac). Specifically, she studied the Tph2 enzyme which synthesizes serotonin, a neurotransmitter involved in regulating mood. Working with Tph2 mutant mice treated with fluoxetine, Paige examined whether depleted serotonin could be associated with decreased histone serotonylation, an epigenetic marker in stress-related genes.

“This experience has reinforced my career interest in neuroscience and has provided me with a great research experience to advance that career,” she shares. “I'm so incredibly grateful for having Dr. Sachs' continued support and mentorship.”

As Paige continues this research in the Sachs Lab, she is building skills that support her goal of pursuing graduate study. She encourages her peers to seek out opportunities that align with their interests, even if they feel uncertain about their qualifications.

“Being a transfer student, I'm familiar with the fear of being behind, whether that be in your degree plan or research experiences,” she says. “Even if you don't believe you have enough experience to obtain a fellowship or other experience, apply! You never know what could happen.”

10/09/2026

This , we’re congratulating Samantha Chapman, PhD, and Megan Quigley, PhD, who have been appointed to endowed chair positions in recognition of their scholarly contributions!

Dr. Chapman, professor of Biology and co-director of the Center for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Stewardship, has been named the Gerald M. Lemole Endowed Chair in Integrative Biology. A coastal ecosystem ecologist, Dr. Chapman studies how sea level rise, warming and nutrient additions affect coastal wetlands. As principal investigator of the WETFEET project, she examines how changing environmental conditions are shaping mangroves and marshes in Florida. High levels of nitrogen from fertilizer, septic tanks and cities harm fish and manatees, among many other negative effects. Dr. Chapman’s project aims to learn more about the effect nutrient pollution has on these coastal wetlands and how ecosystems can help remove nutrients for a more sustainable future.

“I’m honored to hold the Lemole Chair and plan to use this position to continue to train young scientists to solve our Earth’s problems,” says Dr. Chapman.

Dr. Quigley, professor of English, has been named the Luckow Family Endowed Chair in English. Dr. Quigley’s scholarship spans literature, language and philosophy, with a focus on literary modernism—a movement in the late 19th to mid-20th century in which experimental forms, structures and styles emerged as writers broke from traditional storytelling. Her current research extends debates in early 20th-century philosophy of language to contemporary questions about impersonality, authorship and machine learning. She is the author of "Modernist Fiction and Vagueness: Philosophy, Form, and Language" (2015) and co-editor of "Eliot Now" (2024). Her current book project is titled "The Love Song of Modernism: Impersonality and AI."

“I am very grateful to the Luckow Family for this endowed chair that provides the chance to present lectures at University of Oxford and University of Exeter this year,” says Dr. Quigley. “I am also so thankful for the resources to research AI and speculative fiction at a time when AI is transforming our classrooms and our lives.”

10/06/2026

Cultural Studies and History major Margaret Miller ’28 CLAS knew she wanted to spend her summer working with archival materials. As an intern with Philadelphia’s Rosenbach Museum and Library, she got her wish and then some: surrounded by the organization’s nearly 400,000 rare books, manuscripts and fine and decorative objects, she helped translate its vast collections into educational programming for the public.

“My primary project was making lesson plans for adult book clubs and high school programs related to gothic horror literature and the Wh***ey Rebellion,” she says. “I also was able to work on a project of my own choosing, which ended up being a lesson plan pertaining to disability history.”

Each summer, the Albert Lepage Center for History in the Public Interest partners with historical organizations across the country to provide funded internships for Villanova History students to develop their professional skills while working on projects that serve the public. Margaret spent her days sifting through the archive's letters and documents before transcribing, analyzing and working them into her lesson plans. "I learned how to tailor education to different audiences of different ages,” she shares. “Also, I learned the importance of letting archival documents tell the story first before adding to these materials with context and analysis.”

She says the internship gave her a deeper knowledge of herself and her passion for using archival documents—with some surprise favorite memories. Each year, the Rosenbach hosts the annual Bloomsday festival, a day-long celebration of James Joyce. “I was able to meet, interact and work with so many people that day, setting up tents outside and helping with traffic in the lobby,” she adds.

“I recommend taking the opportunities given to you by supervisors or other employees to do things that may not be directly related to your primary project. Some of my best memories and learning experiences are from setting up events or helping out with filmings and moving boxes of books. This is also a great way to meet awesome people.”

10/02/2026

When Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, OSA, ’77 CLAS was elected pope on May 8, 2025, it was a historic day for Americans—and an especially meaningful one for the Villanova University community. Our feature Massimo Faggioli, PhD, professor of Theology and Religious Studies, examines the significance of Pope Leo XIV’s election and the evolution of the papacy in his new book, "Leo XIV and the Global Church: Unity and Peace."

“It was considered impossible to elect an American pope,” says Dr. Faggioli. “So this is really a game changer in the way foreign relations of the Vatican unfold.”

As a Church historian, Dr. Faggioli has observed considerable developments in the way the papacy operates over the last several decades. “It's become much more interactive with global politics, much more present in public life, much more involved in a number of issues, and in a position that is different from what it used to be,” he explains. Pope Leo XIV continues that trajectory, breaking ground on new issues including artificial intelligence in the encyclical Magnifica Humanitas.

The book also explores the significance of Leo XIV as the first pope from the Order of St. Augustine. The Augustinian value of unity is particularly relevant to Dr. Faggioli’s analysis, along with peace—a natural outcome of all three Augustinian pillars put into practice: Veritas, Unitas and Caritas. Unity and peace are frequent themes in the pope’s speeches. Dr. Faggioli explains that the concept of unity extends beyond the Church and society to the individual person, who can be pulled in different directions in an increasingly divisive and distracted world, and Pope Leo XIV is also consistent in his advocacy for peace and alternative ways of solving international conflicts.

As Pope Leo XIV’s papacy continues to take shape, Dr. Faggioli considers important questions it raises for the future of the Church.

The Department of Theology and Religious Studies will host a book launch for "Leo XIV and the Global Church" on Nov. 9, at 7 p.m. in Driscoll Hall, room 132. The event is free and open to the public.

Photo credit: Vatican Media

09/29/2026

Today we’re celebrating the 10th anniversary of , Villanova’s annual day of giving!

When 800 donors contribute to areas across CLAS, we’ll unlock $300,000 in generous challenge gifts from Avo Photonics to advance the Physics Department and from Lynne '87 CLAS and Jeffrey Pagano to strengthen the Center for Inclusive Education.

To help us reach 800 donors and make a remarkable impact, visit the link in bio! Whether you’re interested in advancing meaningful research, supporting student success or investing in one of our 40+ academic programs, we are truly grateful for your generosity.

09/25/2026

Chores are a normal part of everyday life, even for the tiniest organisms. Cells must take out the trash, too, and Biology Professor Sarah Fritz, PhD, studies how they know what to throw away.

Dr. Fritz has been awarded a $396,941 grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to support her research examining how cells identify and eliminate defective RNA.

“Being awarded an NIH grant is a tremendous honor,” says Dr. Fritz. “It is a recognition that our nation’s leading sponsor of biomedical research finds the work being conducted in my laboratory exciting, innovative and capable of advancing our understanding of human health and disease.”

DNA serves as a cell’s genetic blueprint, containing instructions that guide the organism’s functions. DNA is then transcribed into RNA that ultimately determines how genes are expressed and translated into functional proteins. But, like any complex process, mistakes can occur. Mutations in DNA and errors in RNA processing can generate defective RNAs that produce abnormal proteins with potentially detrimental effects on cellular function.

To protect themselves, cells use a surveillance pathway called nonsense-mediated decay (NMD), which recognizes and selectively breaks down faulty RNAs. Dr. Fritz and her student researchers study this quality control process and how cells distinguish between “right” and “wrong” RNA. Because mutations that activate NMD are estimated to contribute to nearly one-third of human genetic diseases, their research could provide valuable insight into the molecular mechanisms underlying these conditions and help guide future research on new treatments.

“This award represents the realization of a research vision I developed as a postdoctoral fellow and have worked to build since beginning my career as an assistant professor at Villanova,” adds Dr. Fritz. “It is a powerful reminder that hard work, persistence and patience can lead to meaningful success. I am deeply grateful to the students in my research laboratory, my colleagues and administrators, and our incredible Office of Grants and Contracts team for their invaluable help, encouragement and support throughout this process.”

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