Villanova English: Meet the Student Advisory Council: 2025 Edition

Maria Therese Barry: I am a senior English and Humanities double major with a minor in Spanish, and I am from Colorado Springs, Colorado. On campus, I work as a tutor in the Writing Center, and I am also involved with Pastoral Musicians and the committee for Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week. I love serving on the advisory council as a way to get to know more fellow English majors and minors, faculty, and staff and to give back to the department that has given me so much!
This summer, I explored some nonfiction and really enjoyed reading J.R.R. Tolkien's letters! I am a big fan of The Lord of the Rings, so it was very interesting and fruitful to learn more about the creative mind behind it all!

Bianca Brucker: I'm a senior English and Peace and Justice major with minors in Writing and Rhetoric and communication from Bel Air, Maryland. On campus I'm an active part of Villanova's Service-Learning community and Villanova Student Theatre! I love being a member of the English Advisory Council because I greatly enjoy the tight-knit and welcoming community of English students and professors.

This summer I finally got around to reading The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt. I thought the book was beautifully written and greatly enjoyed how it dealt with the complex themes of grief and identity. I also enjoyed how a majority of the book took place in New York City because I was interning in the city this summer!

Peter Fabietti: My name is Peter Fabietti, and I’m a junior English major with a minor in Italian. On top of being part of the Student Advisory Council, I write for the Opinion section of The Villanovan and serve as a tutor in the Writing Center. I love being an English major because it gives me numerous opportunities to express myself creatively. Every professor I’ve had has been caring, intelligent, and inspiring, and I’m so lucky to be able to call this department my academic home here at Villanova.
I enjoyed reading Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant by Anne Tyler over the summer. Though, on the surface, it seems quite mundane, the book’s intricate layering of family dynamics makes it incredibly striking. Each chapter made me reflect on the complexities and joys within my own family, and I’m sure it will do the same for you.

Abby Glynn: My name is Abby Glynn, I am a senior English and Communications major with an Art minor. In addition to the Student Advisory Council, I am the Treasurer for Club Lacrosse and am a member of the Club Field Hockey team as well. Being an English major has provided me with the opportunity to meet so many amazing professors, get the chance to attend interesting courses, and gain valuable skills.
Over the summer I was re-reading the Harry Potter series in preparation for a class I am taking right now, Harry Potter: Quests and Questions. I had so much fun reading the series and found myself realizing new things about the books that I hadn’t before. The course with Professor Radcliffe is so interesting and I really enjoy analyzing a series that I loved so much when I was younger!

Katie Lewis: My name is Katie Lewis, and I am a senior from Miami, Florida double-majoring in English and Communication. I have concentrations in Writing & Rhetoric and Journalism. Channeling my love for writing into sports journalism, I am a co-sports editor of The Villanovan and a sports desk intern with The Philadelphia Inquirer. At Villanova, I’m also a member of the Faith & Learning Scholars program and the club tennis team.
A book that I enjoyed reading this summer was
My Friends by Fredrik Backman. He is one of my favorite contemporary authors and I was excited to pick up his latest release shortly after it came out in May. In all of his novels that I’ve read, I love how Backman mixes humor and authenticity with heart-wrenching moments and memorable characters.

Sinéad Masterson: My name is Sinéad, and I am a senior English major from New Haven, Connecticut. I am involved in Villanova’s college radio station WXVU, I work in a restaurant, and I intern at a non-profit that works with refugee women from Afghanistan. I love being an English major because it encourages creativity, challenges me to sharpen my writing skills, and allows me to explore my interest in poetry. This summer I read Song of Solomon by Toni Morrison and lots of poetry by Ada Limón, all of which I loved. I’m very excited to be part of the English Student Advisory Council this year!

Seamus Tracy: Hi all, I'm Seamus! As an amateur novel writer, I study creative writing in the English department. When I'm not reading or writing books I spend my time drawing, playing D&D, or performing improv comedy with Villanova's Ridiculum. Reach out to me not only about the English major or creative writing minor, but also if you have questions about how to advance your career as a creative writer while still being a student!

Ailish Wilson: My name is Ailish, and I'm an English major here at Villanova! I have loved all of my English classes so far, and I appreciate the wide variety, from poetry, to journalism, to classic literature. I have also had such amazing and intelligent professors. As a member of the English major advisory council, I have helped out with events like the Major's Fair and an English Major Game Night. I'm so excited for everything the English advisory council has planned for this year!
This summer, I read Bossypants, Tina Fey's memoir. I really liked her sense of humor and sneak peek into life at SNL!