Meet Graduate Student Ambassador Maddie Battinelli

Describe your interest in your academic program and what you hope to gain from it.

I was drawn to the MS in Psychology program because of the robust research and faculty mentorship. My primary interest is Industrial-Organizational Psychology, and I am confident that I will gain valuable skills as a researcher through my experience in the program. I am looking forward to delving more into my area of interest while exploring other disciplines within psychology during this two-year journey. My ultimate goal is to obtain a PhD in I/O psychology after completion of my master's at Villanova!

What is your favorite course you’ve taken so far? If you are in your first year, what course are you most looking forward to in your program? Why?

I'm currently taking an Intimate Relationships course, which has been interesting and engaging! We talk about different theories in the field and discuss how relationship topics have shifted today with the advent of dating apps and other online platforms. It's fascinating!

What are a few things you would like to share with prospective students regarding the Villanova student experience?

In my first few weeks at Villanova, I have been welcomed with open arms by everyone in my academic and GA departments. The Villanova culture is collaborative, action-oriented and capitalizes the strengths of its members to contribute to a vibrant community. Faculty are invested in the success of their students and will connect students with other members of the Villanova community so that they can widen their impact.

How do you maintain a good school/life balance?

I maintain school/life balance by making lists, setting attainable goals and prioritizing self-care. I strive to maintain a balanced routine but also remain open to being flexible when other events come up.

If you’re living around Villanova, what are one to two “must do” experiences you would suggest to students new to Villanova and the surrounding area including Philadelphia?

The Vanilla Bean in Wayne just a few minutes down the road from Villanova has the BEST ice cream! You pick a flavor, chocolate or vanilla, and two mix-ins of your choice, and they blend it to make you your very own soft serve flavor! My go-to is chocolate ice cream with dark chocolate chips and pretzels! Secondly, check out Suburban Square in Ardmore for some awesome shopping and restaurants!

Describe what it means to be a graduate student at Villanova. In other words, why Villanova?

Villanova is a community that fosters growth and transformative change. Campus is constantly buzzing with energy and excitement. Villanova invests an extensive amount of resources into their graduate programs and creates many opportunities for collaboration and support. The Grad Center is a great example of this! This is a space where grad students can connect across program areas, share ideas, do their research and so much more. When you join the Villanova community as a grad student, you feel this incredible impact.