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Senior Steps to Success
By Liz Natale '03
This year, the Office of Student Life
launched a new program for seniors called "Senior Steps." The program
was specially designed to cater to the needs of seniors by preparing them
for the transition to post-college life. "Senior Steps" began its development
last spring by committee members Nancy J. Dudak, director of Career Services,
Kelly M. Eastland, director of Orientation and assistant for Special Projects,
Christine A. Faistl, assistant director of Student Development, and senior
students, Tom Porac and Carolyn Riley.
The new program provides a series of professional,
social, and spiritual activities designed to unite the senior class during
their final year together as well as prepare individuals for their future
plans. "The 'Senior Steps' program sends the message that the University
supports and celebrates the students in this transitional year," says
Dudak. "The variety of programs represents our effort to reach the largest
number of students and it acknowledges that the senior year transition
takes place on many levels." Some goals for the new program include helping
students with additional career counseling, teaching basic personal finance,
and encouraging reflection on personal development while at Villanova.
The events for the 2002-2003 academic
year began with a Kick-off Reception in the Bartley Hall Atrium on Sept.
9. Guest speaker, Dr. Richard (Dick) Jackman, former vice president of
Public Affairs for the Sunoco Oil Corporation and Villanova professor,
along with local alumni provided students with insights and inspiration
for the upcoming year. During Parents' Weekend, a Senior Golf Outing was
held on Sept. 20, at the Pickering Valley Golf Course during which students,
family, and friends enjoyed the afternoon together. To show their spirit,
seniors came out to Senior Spirit Night at Wildcat Village on Oct. 10
for the Wildcat home football game against the University of Pennsylvania.
During fall break, students also had the opportunity to participate in
a special Habitat for Humanity trip which included reflections geared
toward seniors. On Oct. 30 there was an etiquette dinner titled, "How
to Dine and Act Fine," featuring Michelle Pollard Patrick, from the National
Protocol and also the mother of John Pollard '03, which reviewed business
and dining etiquette. Upcoming events for the fall semester include the
Senior Day of Service on Saturday, Nov. 23 with a group service activity
followed by Mass at 5 p.m. and a reception.
The program will kick off the spring semester
with a 101 Days to Graduation celebration on Thursday, Feb. 7 in Manayunk.
On Tuesday, Feb. 11 at 7 p.m. in the Connelly Center Cinema there will
be a Real World 101 seminar, sponsored by MBNA for information on future
financial planning. The highlight of the spring semester is a luncheon
seminar titled, "Everything You Didn't Learn in Class: A Professional
Conference for Soon To Be Graduates," which will be held on Sunday, March
30 between 12 and 5 p.m. at the Villanova Conference Center. The afternoon
will begin with a buffet lunch followed by a variety of different workshops
with topics ranging from personal finance, obtaining a job, and relocating
to a new city after graduation. The workshops will be followed by a cocktail
reception where students can mingle and talk with the presenters and alumni.
Finally, in May the seniors will be able
to celebrate their commencement with events such as the Senior Dinner
Dance and Senior Week from May 12-16. In addition, there is a column series
throughout the year in the Features section of the Villanovan titled,
"What Seniors Should Know About." This column, written by various Villanova
alumni and current students, focuses on graduate school exams, dressing
business casual, traveling after graduation, relocating to a new city,
professional etiquette, and more.
Christine Faistl summed up her overall
views on the new program stating, "The best part of the 'Senior Steps'
program is that it grew from the advice of graduating seniors. They looked
back on their last year in school and asked, 'What do I wish I knew?'
We programmed around that.what the seniors need to learn before they leave
the Villanova community."
For more information about the "Senior
Steps" program or to participate as an alumni or business professional,
contact the Office of Student Life at (610) 519-4550.
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