Grad Center Community Building Programs and Events

Graduate and law students celebrating at Valentine's Day event.

The Grad Center hosts a variety of programs throughout the year to foster community building (and fun) amongst the graduate and law student body.

The Grad Center hosts an annual Conference and Event Planning Workshop to teach graduate and law students the ins and outs of academic event planning. A one-hour general session on event planning logistics is followed by breakout sessions for students interested in learning more about STEM or Humanities focused conferences and events.

Fall 2023 Date: Wednesday, November 29th from 10am - 12pm. Register here!

During the last week of the Fall semester the Grad Center hosts a week of fun and relaxing activities to help Grad and Law students wind down before final exams and papers. Fall 2023 activities will include:

  • Mon., Dec. 4: Ornament Making and Lunch
  • Tues., Dec. 5: Holiday Trivia Night and Dinner
  • Weds., Dec. 6: Chair Massages from 1-5p.m.
  • Thurs., Dec. 7: Grad Student Yoga Class
  • Fri., Dec. 8: Ugly Sweater and Holiday Bingo Party with Craft Beer

Register for all activities here.

The Grad Center hosts Happy Hour every third friday of the month from 4-6 p.m. EST at Gullifty's (located just .2 miles east of campus on Lancaster avenue. We provide the appetizers and drink specials are available for our students. Build community with graduate and law students from across the University in this relaxed and fun setting.

The Grad Center is thrilled to celebrate the amazing graduate and law students at Villanova during Grad Student Appreciation Week. This year the Grad Center is celebrating April 29 - May 3, 2024. Stay tuned for more details in the spring semester!

The Grad Center partners with Campus Ministry each semester to host a retreat for graduate and law students. All graduate student retreats are open to students of any or no faith background. Learn more about Campus Ministry and see all retreat offerings on the Campus Ministry website.

  • Fall Retreat: Half-day program in early September focused on setting intention for the graduate student journey.
  • Busy Wildcat Retreat: The Busy Wildcat Retreat is meant for students, faculty, or staff who are longing for space in their lives to slow down, reflect, and connect with God, but who might have a hard time fitting a weekend-long retreat into their schedule.
  • Advent Retreat: Celebrate the Advent season at this ecumenical Christian retreat held on campus during the workday. Meet with colleagues from across the University and share from your personal experiences and faith journey. December 4, 2023.
  • Spring Retreat: This retreat offers the opportunity for an overnight together at a nearby retreat center, prayer/worship experiences at 2-3 different local faith communities, and dialogue with one another about questions of faith and meaning.  Spring 2024 date TBD.
  • Lenten Retreat: "Less is more": this is both an apt approach to the Lenten season and an insight underlying our attempts to live more sustainability in an age of special concern for our planet. Please join us as we weave these two themes together for an "eco-spiritual" retreat open to participants of all spiritual and religious backgrounds. Spring 2024 date TBD.

The Grad Center hosts an annual Conference and Event Planning Workshop to teach graduate and law students the ins and outs of academic event planning. A one-hour general session on event planning logistics is followed by breakout sessions for students interested in learning more about STEM or Humanities focused conferences and events.

Fall 2023 Date: TBD

The Villanova University Center for Graduate Research and Education

St. Mary’s Hall, Suite 109
800 E. Lancaster Avenue
Villanova, PA 19085

Office Hours: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. EST