Welcome to the blog for the Villanova English department! Visit often for updates on department events, guest speakers, faculty and student accomplishments, and reviews and musings from professors and undergraduates alike.

Tuesday, September 28, 2021

Nature Writing Workshop Bird Banding Trip

 Check out these photos from the Nature Writing Workshop bird banding trip to Rushton Farm on Wednesday, September 22. It's just one of many exciting things happening in Cathy Staples's Nature Writing Workshop course!












Monday, September 27, 2021

Professor Quigley elected to the Board of Directors of the International T. S. Eliot Society

Professor Megan Quigley was recently elected to the Board of Directors of the International T. S. Eliot Society. This weekend she taught a seminar to scholars from India, the Philippines, and all over the US—one of the benefits of zoom!  But on Tuesday she’ll be back in her Falvey classroom looking forward to the 100th birthday of The Waste Land with her graduate class here.



Tuesday, September 21, 2021

Sneak Peek: Spring 2022 Upper-Level English classes

A sneak peek of the English courses offered this spring--so many great classes to choose from! All of them count toward your English major. While there may be some changes before registration, this sneak peak gives you a chance to see your options. If you have questions, get in touch with your advisor or the English department chair, Dr. Heather Hicks.

Alice is into sneak peeks


Friday, September 17, 2021

English Department T-shirt Design Contest!

English department swag is legendary and now you can design it. Submit a design for an English department t-shirt to Dr. Mary Mullen (mary.l.mullen@villanova.edu) by Monday, October 18 for the 2021 contest. 

The design should include the words “Villanova English” but the rest is up to you. Be creative! 

The Advisory Council will judge the contest and announce the winning design at the pre-registration reception on Friday, October 22. The department will print shirts with the winning design.


Wednesday, September 15, 2021

Meet the New Members of the Advisory Council

 

Members of the Advisory Council gather at the English department!

Villanova's English department cares about community--whether that means engaging discussions about literature in class, chatting about moldy mattresses and other horrors during Bagel Hour, or conversations about internships and upcoming classes at the pre-registration reception. Serving many important roles-- peer mentors, representatives of the English department, social media influencers, consultants, members of the English department's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion committee--students on the Advisory Council do important work shaping our community. Look for them in classes and at English department events and don't be afraid to ask them about the major or share your ideas for Villanova English with them!

Autumn Anderson, senior
email: aander at villanova.edu

Hi everyone! I am a senior English major with a minor in business. On campus, I am a member of Villanova’s Pastoral Musicians, an editor for Polis Literary Magazine, and I work in the Writing Center and Donahue Dining Hall. Last year I had an internship with Federal Student Aid where I learned a lot about updating and maintaining web content. I hope to continue exploring careers in writing and editing, publishing, human resources, and business communications. Other interests of mine include reading, running, writing, and painting/drawing. I particularly love reading fantasy and gothic fiction and would love to chat about books in general with anyone who wants a book buddy.


Jackie Carroll, Junior
Email: jcarro at villanova.edu

My name is Jackie Carroll, and I am a junior English major with minors in creative writing and peace and justice. After completing my undergrad, I hope to work in media production. On campus, I host a radio show that airs every Thursday night. The goal of my show is to amplify the voices of female music makers.


Cynthia Choo, Junior
Email: cchoo at villanova.edu

I am a junior English and Humanities double major in the Honors Program with an Education minor and a Writing & Rhetoric concentration. I am an ambassador for both the Intergroup Relations (IGR) Program and the Office of Intercultural Affairs as well as the vice president of the Korean Students Association on campus! Upon graduating, I intend to continue my studies in literature while also obtaining a teaching certification. One of my favorite books right now is Hannah Coulter by Wendell Berry, but I also really enjoy reading anything from memoirs to dystopian/science fiction novels to Romantic poetry!

Tariq Maxwell Karibian (or TK), Senior
Email: mkaribia at villanova.edu

I'm a senior English Major and Political Science/Japanese Double Minor.

Keenlyn Kilgore, Junior
email: kkilgore at villanova.edu

Hi my name is Keenlyn Kilgore, and I am a junior English major with minors in Peace and Justice and Mathematics. I am very interested in the different perspectives that comes with reading pieces of literature and creative writing. I was in RUIBAL my freshman and sophomore year and plan to join COV (Community Outreach of Villanova) this semester. I am also a member of Alpha Gamma Delta, a sorority that has philanthropy surrounding fighting hunger, and we team up with Meals on Wheels and Feeding America. In my sorority, I am on the Diversity Equity and Inclusion committee. I plan on connecting my English major to Peace and Justice by focusing on narratives from untold or silenced perspectives. I plan on studying abroad in the Spring in Ireland. I am very glad that I joined the English Major and its community with amazing faculty and students.


Ava Lundell, Junior
email: alundell at villanova.edu

am a junior English major with minors in History and Public Administration. I grew up in Washington, D.C., but most of my family lives in the Midwest (either around Michigan or in Chicago). Growing up in D.C. definitely shaped my career goals, instilling in me the importance of policy and politics in changing American lives for the better. Therefore, I plan to enter the field of public policy (more specifically, education policy). After graduating, I would like to work with Teach for America for two years and then pursue my Master’s in education policy. I hope to further promote equal access to quality education for all Americans. My extracurricular activities include Blue Key Society and InterVarsity. I am also a research assistant for two professors investigating disability discussions in K-12 education. I love to read, especially historical fiction novels! One of my current favorites is All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr.




Erin Neilsen, Junior
email: eneilsen at villanova.edu

My name is Erin Neilsen, and I am a junior English major with minors in Business and Communication. Outside of the classroom, I am involved on Villanova's campus by serving on NOVAdance Committee, being the Chi Omega Philanthropy Chair, and participating in Blue Key Society. Additionally, I have also had the opportunity to work as the Marketing and Communications Intern for the Villanova School of Business Mentor Program and start my own swim lesson business FINS during my time at Villanova. Through my incredible experience as an English major, I have learned to problem solve, think critically, and express myself with confidence when speaking and writing, which I hope to utilize upon graduation by teaching English abroad for a year in Spain and then working in management consulting. Immersing myself into the academic and social life at Villanova has taught me the importance of community, so I hope to give back through the English Student Advisory Council to other Villanova students involved and interested in the English Department! 


Juliana Perri, Junior Email: jperri2 at villanova.edu

I am a junior English and Communication double major with a minor in Spanish from New York. In high school, I was the Editor in Chief of my yearbook, which exposed me to the world of editing and publishing. I hope to go into the publishing industry after I graduate, working with different authors to create the novels that I binge now. I love learning languages, and this semester, I am the Teacher’s Assistant for Professor Foran, the American Sign Language (ASL) teacher. I hope to continue to improve my signing and learn more about the Deaf community throughout my time at Villanova and in the future. I spend a lot of time volunteering, and I love meeting new people and trying new things. I’m taking some amazing English classes this semester, and I’m looking forward to the next two years!


Katie Reed, Junior
email: kreed11 at villanova.edu

Hi!  My name is Katie Reed, and I am a junior from Bellingham, MA majoring in both English and Communication. At Villanova, I am a writer for The Villanovan, an Honors peer mentor, and a Lorenzini Leadership Ambassador for the Anne Welsh McNulty Institute for Women's Leadership. I love reading, writing, and thinking creatively, and though I can’t pick just one favorite book, I love reading fantasy novels and seeing different worlds come to life. I think that the English Department is an incredible community to be a part of, so as a member of the Student Advisory Council, I’m very excited to have the opportunity to build meaningful connections, foster inclusivity, and help maintain the engaging environment that is characteristic of the department. 


Sarina Sandwell, Junior
Email: ssandwel at villanova.edu

Hey! I’m Sarina! I’m a junior English major and Chinese minor. At Villanova, I’m a member of Villanova Skate Society, as well as the host of the radio show “Altronica” on Villanova WXVU where I play indie/alternative/rock music. My favorite books are Song of Solomon by Toni Morrison and There There by Tommy Orange. I have an interest in writing about modern and historical fashion and am also a huge fan of the science fiction and horror genres. After graduation, I plan to continue studying literature in the hopes of pursuing a career in teaching.



Cecile Schuller, Junior
email: Cschulle at villanova.edu

Hi everyone! My name is Cece, and I am a junior English major interested in minoring in Creative Writing. I plan to eventually teach, and I have been gathering experience by coaching middle and high school students in lacrosse, field hockey, and sailing. Here on campus, I am involved in editing and formatting Ellipsis, one of the literary publications, and I sing with the Pastoral Musicians. 

Lily Switka, Senior
Email: lswitka at villanova.edu

Hi! I’m Lily Switka, a senior double major in English and Peace & Justice, with a minor in Humanities. I was an Academic Programming & Event Coordinating Intern at the Boys and Girls Club of Northeast Ohio this past summer, and I aspire to work in the non-profit sector as a grant writer (and eventually start my own organization). Creative writing and art have always been passions of mine as well, and I started my own art business in 2020. On campus, I am involved in Campus Ministry as a Peer Minister, Service Trip Leader, and Retreat Leader, and I am also a member of the Villanova Astronomical Society.If you have any questions about the English major, don’t hesitate to email me. Let’s be friends!

Catherine Wood, Junior
Email: cwood12 at villanova.edu

Hi! I am a junior English major with minors in Business and Communication. I am involved in the Morale Committee for NOVAdance, Women in Business, and Alpha Gamma Delta. This summer, I interned at International Gaming Technology in their Total Rewards department, which was a great learning experience for me and allowed me to use my Business minor. However, after college I am hoping to go into a more English-related field; I am super excited to use my English skills I have acquired from Villanova. 


Tuesday, September 7, 2021

All About the Bagels Coffee Hour, Thursday Sept. 9, 11:30 am-1:00 pm

 

Bagels! Coffee! Bananagrams! 

Join the English department (including THE Dr. Adrienne Perry of Bridges fame) for free wheat, caffeine and camaraderie on Thursday, Sept. 9 between 11:30 am and 1:00 pm in the SAC East Courtyard. English majors, minors and anyone interested in the English department welcome! Come and go as you like.

Thursday, September 2, 2021

BIPOC Writing Hangouts, every other Thursday from Sept. 9, 7:00 pm, Zoom

BIPOC Writing Hangouts begin on Thursday, September 9, at 7:00 pm on zoom. They will take place every other week. 

They provide a supportive and informal space for self-identified BIPOC students, alumni, faculty, and staff. Writing prompts provided. Email Prof. Tsering Wangmo Dhompa for details.