Villanova Education and Counseling Professors Redefine College Readiness in New Book
Villanova, PA — As college-bound students face increasingly complex challenges beyond academics, Villanova University’s Education and Counseling faculty Stacey Havlik, PhD, and Krista Malott, PhD, deliver a fresh approach to postsecondary preparation. In their new book, School Counselor Resource Series: Skill Building for Postsecondary Success, Drs. Havlik and Malott provide a vital toolkit for school counselors and educators looking to support high school students’ transition to college.
College preparation is critical for students’ access to postsecondary opportunities, typically emphasizing test taking, admissions and enrollment, among other topics—however, Drs. Havlik and Malott take it a step further to ensure that students are successful upon arrival and are equipped to navigate the cultural landscape of college life. “Our book provides a resource for anyone preparing high school students to enter postsecondary settings,” says Dr. Havlik. “These 10 engaging lessons are designed to offer knowledge and skills beyond what traditional college preparatory services tend to offer.”
With practical, research-backed strategies honed through five years of work with first-generation college-bound students, Skill Building for Postsecondary Success ensures that future high school graduates are fully prepared for the next step in their academic careers. Sessions are designed to be interactive, personal, relational and movement-based to keep students engaged. “The lessons draw on students’ multiple psychosocial strengths in creative and interactive ways to increase their likelihood of thriving in postsecondary settings,” explains Dr. Malott. The topics covered include identity development related to college preparation, academic success, study skills, bias and discrimination on campuses, navigating college courses, college resources, help-seeking skills, time management and financial aid support. An empirical assessment of the impact of the lessons indicates increased students’ self-efficacy, knowledge and skills in navigating college.
Stacey A. Havlik, PhD, is an associate professor in the Department of Education and Counseling at Villanova University, specializing in training future school counselors. Her research addresses the academic, social/emotional and career development of students experiencing homelessness and first-generation college students. Dr. Havlik’s work has been shared nationally and internationally, earning her recognition as a respected scholar.
Krista Malott, PhD, LPC, is a professor in the Department of Education and Counseling, where she has trained master-level school and mental health counselors for nearly 20 years. With a focus on effecting justice through counselor practice, she began her career as a school counselor, working for approximately a decade as a bilingual (Spanish-English) counselor, mainly with first-generation college-going students. Contributor to over 50 publications, including the book, Group Activities for Latino/a Youth, her teaching and research emphasizes critical consciousness with a decolonial and antiracism lens.
About Villanova University’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences: Since its founding in 1842, Villanova University’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences has been the heart of the Villanova learning experience, offering foundational courses for undergraduate students in every college of the University. Serving more than 4,500 undergraduate and graduate students, the College is committed to fortifying them with intellectual rigor, multidisciplinary knowledge, moral courage and a global perspective. The College has more than 40 academic departments and programs across the humanities, social sciences, and natural and physical sciences.