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CAREER AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

IGNITE YOUR STRENGTHS

Screenshot of Ignite Your Strengths logo lockup with play button link to video

Villanova University is committed to developing and nurturing the whole person, allowing students, faculty and staff to grow intellectually, emotionally, spiritually, culturally, socially and physically in an environment that supports individual differences and insists that mutual love and respect should animate every aspect of university life.

To build on that commitment, we created the Ignite Your Strengths Initiative. Through this work, we are engaging students, faculty, staff and alumni in strengths-based development, providing opportunities for the University community to engage in activities and reflection about ways to acknowledge and build upon their strengths. The initiative is a collaborative effort of Villanova’s academic enterprise, Student Life, Career and Professional Development units, and Human Resources. The conversations begin with Villanovans taking the CliftonStrengths assessment which we view as a “tool for self-discovery” and a common launch point for the community to start the conversation.


IYS Steering Committee

The Ignite Your Strengths Initiative is guided by a steering committee representing the Villanova community. The membership of the committee includes representatives for the following focus areas:

  • Undergraduate Students: Alicia Dunphy-Culp, Dillon Eppenstein, Tyra Ford
  • Graduate Students: Emily McCloskey, Julia Moscato Besselman, Meredith Okenquist
  • Professional Studies Students: Kirstin DeFusco Houtz, Kevin Grubb
  • Alumni: Dana Jacob, Jennifer Wiess
  • Faculty: Dr. Crystal Lucky, Dr. Gabriele Bauer, Dr. Randy Weinstein
  • Staff: Dan Kaufman, Jennifer Derry

IGNITE YOUR STRENGTHS GOALS

  1. Engage students in the process of self-discovery and create a stronger sense of appreciation for others.
  2. Enable conversations to improve individual well-being, developing students to their full potential.
  3. Provide units across campus with a common language of strengths to build our sense of community.