Meet Graduate Student Ambassador Annie Hawks

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

The Counseling program at Villanova offers a support system and a community like no other. You are challenged in both your personal and intellectual growth. I hope and am confident that this program will prepare me to have the skills necessary to be an informed and open-minded counselor.

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?

Ethics. All of the courses in the program are designed to challenge you to understand yourself as a person and challenge your perception of ethics vs. values and how that impacts the client-counselor relationship.

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

Villanova is a place that has something for everyone. It is truly a very diverse experience both in terms of perspective and life experiences and what the campus has to offer to students in general.

How do you maintain a good school/life balance?

Practicing self care and setting boundaries! It is possible to have a good balance while in school, it just takes some time to figure out your priorities!

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 Southeast Asian Market! Also get out into the city! It's really easy to miss out on experiences in the city since campus is in the suburbs, but Philly has so much to offer, so don't forget to explore!

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

Joining Villanova means joining a community. You will be challenged academically as well as personally. Villanova pushes you to think about your studies in the context of community; you can give back. With an emphasis on community service and social justice, you will leave Villanova having grown in more ways than one.