The College of Engineering has planned a variety of activities and features to celebrate Black History Month and the contributions of our students, alumni and faculty.
In addition to releasing weekly in-depth interviews with alumni, and highlighting Black engineers throughout history via social media, the following activities are planned throughout February. Note that the panels are Career Compass approved:
Thursday, Feb. 4, 5-6 p.m.
“Villanova Engineering Seniors Tell All”
https://villanova.zoom.us/j/99059339017
- Challenges faced and how they were overcome
- Valuable extracurricular activities
- Helpful on-campus resources
- Favorite courses
- Benefit of research experiences
- Post-graduation plans
- What they know now that they wish they knew then
Friday, Feb. 5, 7-8 p.m.
Game Night presented by the National Society of Black Engineers, Villanova Chapter
https://villanova.zoom.us/j/93895821298
Thursday, Feb. 11, 5-6 p.m
“So You’re Considering Graduate School?”
https://villanova.zoom.us/j/99905042073
Former Villanova Engineering undergraduates pursuing graduate school and current Villanova graduate students will share:
- Their professional goals and how graduate school aligns with those goals
- Undergraduate experiences that helped ease the transition to grad school
- Advice for applying, deciding which schools to apply to and choosing the one that’s best for you
- Paying for school (including graduate assistantship opportunities)
Tuesday, Feb. 16, 6-7:30 p.m.
First Gen & STEM Panel
A panel of first-generation college students, faculty and alumni in STEM fields share their unique experiences and tactics for success. Features Associate Dean of Academic Affairs Dr. Andrea Welker, alumnus Boratha Tan ’16, and freshman Mary Dam ’24 ChE.
Wednesday, Feb. 17, 7-8:00 p.m.
Civil and Environmental Engineering Listening Session
https://villanova.zoom.us/j/95974192474
Students are invited to provide feedback about how the department can be more inclusive and equitable. The feedback will be compiled anonymously for a report that will be presented to department chair Dr. Eric Musselman.
Thursday, Feb. 18, 5-6 p.m
“Voices of Experience: Alumni Career Panel”
https://villanova.zoom.us/j/92970426777
- Individual career paths and experiences
- Challenges faced as an underrepresented minority and advice for responding to those challenges
- The value of role models/mentors/networking
- The job search
- Undergraduate experiences that inspired and influenced their professional choices
- Advice they wish they’d been given as undergraduates
Wednesday, Feb. 24, 4:00 p.m.
“A Call to Action for Racial Justice and Equity in Engineering” with Dr. John Brooks Slaughter
https://upenn.zoom.us/j/94087364020?pwd=MHZTOHVhU1AzbUkxeXp1Q1NkN056dz09#success (passcode: 534230)
In this lecture, Dr. Slaughter will discuss the social responsibilities that engineers have in making the world a more equitable place and the solutions that corporations and academic institutions can enact to create lasting and meaningful change.
Thursday, Feb. 25, 5-6 p.m
“From the Faculty Perspective”
https://villanova.zoom.us/j/93489957320
Faculty representing the College of Engineering and departments across the University will offer:
- Their individual educational journeys and challenges faced
- Advice for first generation college students
- Insight on internships, job opportunities and research experiences
- The importance of connecting with professors
- Thoughts on challenges for underrepresented students at Villanova and ways the University can improve
Friday, Feb. 26, 3-4 p.m.
The Patrick J. Cunningham, Jr. and Susan Ward '80 Endowed Lecture Series in Engineering with Lillian Dukes ’87 MSEE
Dukes, an aerospace industry executive and recognized leader in the African American community, will speak on “How Good Engineers Craft Great Careers.”
Register here.