STUDENT RESOURCES AND EVENTS
Building a Thriving Community of Public Service Advocates
At the Department of Public Administration, we are dedicated to fostering a vibrant community of students, alumni, faculty, and friends united by a shared passion for public service. Our students are encouraged to join the International City/County Management Association (ICMA) student chapter, a pivotal step towards a career in local government.
Additionally, our affiliation with Pi Alpha Alpha (PAA), the national honor society for public administration, highlights our commitment to academic excellence and public service. Membership in PAA is an esteemed honor, extended to students of high academic achievement once a year.
We also support the Nova Nonprofit Network, which connects students and professionals dedicated to the nonprofit sector, providing valuable resources, networking opportunities, and professional development.
We take pride in hosting a diverse array of events, including speaker series, networking events, webinars and social engagements, designed to enrich the academic and professional experiences of our community members throughout the year. These events not only enhance learning but also strengthen the bonds within our public administration family, ensuring a supportive and dynamic environment for all.
SIGNATURE EVENTS
- ICMA Student Chapter – The Frank & Gloria Wolek Speaker Series
- Pi Alpha Alpha Fall Career & Networking Event
- Pi Alpha Alpha Vocation to Public Service
- Pi Alpha Alpha Induction
- Nova Nonprofit Network BLAST! Bringing Leaders and Students Together
- Annual Public Administration Dinner
ICMA Student Chapter
Founded in 1914, International City/County Management Association (ICMA) is the premier local government leadership and management organization. Its mission is to create excellence in local governance by advocating and developing the professional management of local government worldwide. In addition to supporting its nearly 9,000 members, ICMA provides publications, data, information, technical assistance, and training and professional development to thousands of city, town, and county experts and other individuals throughout the world.
In addition to the benefits provided by ICMA, Villanova’s chapter will sponsor several events each academic year in order to promote the local government management profession and help students pursue a career in that field. Villanova undergraduate and graduate students interested in joining Villanova’s Unitas ICMA Student Chapter should contact Dr. Vaswati Chatterjee.
Pi Alpha Alpha
Pi Alpha Alpha (PAA) is the premier global honor society for Public Administration. It celebrates and recognizes exceptional scholarship and accomplishments in public affairs and administration, with a commitment to fostering integrity, professionalism, and effective performance.
Eligibility: Join an esteemed community of scholars and professionals! Eligibility for membership includes:
- A GPA of 3.8 or higher after one year of study (typically 18 credits).
- Demonstrated academic excellence in a NASPAA member school or distinguished public service.
- Classification as a student, alumni, faculty, or honorary member.
Benefits of Membership:
- Exclusive access to the NASPAA job board and career resources.
- Networking opportunities with a global community of public service professionals.
- A range of enriching events and programs through the Villanova PAA Chapter:
- Annual PAA Induction Ceremony
- PAA-sponsored talks on Public Service Vocation
- Networking events with MPA alumni and current members
- Civic engagement initiatives
- Regular updates from our PAA newsletter
Governance: The Villanova University Chapter is managed by a President, Secretary, and Chapter Advisor. Office nominees must be on-campus members and submit a 250-word biography detailing their qualifications and interest in serving.
Call to Action: Become a part of a prestigious network dedicated to excellence in public service. For more details visit the Pi Alpha Alpha website or reach out to Dr. Theodore Arapis, the advisor for Villanova University Chapter.
Nova Nonprofit Network
Build Your Career as a Nonprofit Professional!
The Nova Nonprofit Network is designed to expand Villanova's system of professional and academic support for students interested in or already working in the nonprofit sector by bringing people together to share best practices to collectively respond to challenges and opportunities in our communities.
By joining the Nova Nonprofit Network, you will be able to:
ENGAGE with Your Peers
- Join one-on-one and group events to discuss trends and best practices with students, alumni and social impact leaders in various nonprofit fields.
- Participate in a mentoring program.
- Obtain special student rates to become a Pennsylvania Association of Nonprofit Organizations (PANO) member.
- Join quarterly small group discussions.
- Access professional development and career advancement resources by attending our annual BLAST event and meeting with program faculty and Villanova Career Center staff.
- Access resources on professional development and updates on current issues such as how COVID-19 and the national reckoning on systems of racial injustice impact the nonprofit sector.
- Schedule meetings with Career Center staff who serve as nonprofit industry advisors.
CREATE Your Vision
- Advance the common good through Villanova's Augustinian teaching and learning approach through your nonprofit curriculum.
- Map out your courses.
- Increase the impact of your nonprofit's mission by focusing on your strengths.
- Enhance your professional development with coursework that includes applied projects and consulting.
For more information about joining the Nova Nonprofit Network, please reach out to Dr. Lauren Miltenberger.
