ABOUT US

The Center for Research and Fellowships (CRF) aims to ignite curiosity, exploration, and discovery through student research programs, the Presidential Scholars Program (PSP), and support for nationally competitive scholarships and fellowships. Through holistic advising and tailored professional development programs, we equip students to become changemakers and transformative leaders.

CRF has connected hundreds of Villanova students, alumni, faculty and staff to programs of research and scholarship around the world since it was established in 2001.

   

A WELCOME TO ALL

Aligned with our Augustinian Catholic mission and the University's Diversity Statement, CRF strives to create a welcoming environment in all that we do, ensuring that all identities, perspectives and experiences are heard, respected and valued.

Our community suffers when members live in fear of injustice and prejudice. We acknowledge that silence and inaction contribute to the continuation of ongoing structural inequalities. No one should be made to feel discounted or threatened because of their race, ethnicity or any other identity.

The CRF team is taking the following steps to bring to life our commitment to fostering a welcoming community:
  • Professional development
    • Each CRF team member will dedicate time to learn from and engage with materials and activities that will advance our core values, especially our commitments to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
    • The CRF team will follow best practices for advising, including a focus on inclusive advising, in our work with students, alumni, faculty, and staff.

  • Committee composition
    • We will encourage our Presidential Scholarship Selection Committee Chairs to examine their committees and be proactive to reflect Villanova’s diversity commitments.

  • Inclusive hiring
    • We will participate in inclusive hiring training as a team to foreground diversity in our future hires.

  • Inclusive recruitment for opportunities
    • We will continue and expand active recruitment of diverse applicant pools for all the opportunities that we cover (e.g., research, fellowships, and the PSP).

   

MEET OUR TEAM

catherine-stecyk-crf-staff

Catherine Stecyk

Director
Center for Research and Fellowships & Presidential Scholars Program
610-519-8766; Email

chelsea-benincasa-crf-staff

Chelsea Benincasa

Associate Director
Center for Research and Fellowships & Presidential Scholars Program

610-519-5935; Email

emily-wetzel-ulrich-crf

Emily Wetzel-Ulrich

Assistant Director
610-519-5647; Email


Team Lead for Undergraduate Research

kate-vicente-crf-staff

Kate Vicente

Sr. Administrative Assistant
610-519-6138; Email

Graduate Assistants

Mike Burns
610-519-3353; Email




    

Garey Hall 200 (top floor) 
800 Lancaster Avenue
Villanova, PA 19085