Villanova University College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

This week, we congratulate Associate Professor of Public Administration Danielle Gadson, PhD, ’07 MPA on the publication of her latest book!

“Two Steps Forward, Three To the Side: Social Image and the Dance for Community Health Center Survival” analyzes the success of the community health center program since its establishment as a War on Poverty program during the 1960s.

At its outset, the creation of the federal community health center initially focused on strengthening medically-vulnerable communities—providing crucial day-to-day care for Americans facing systemic, environmental or economic challenges. “Today, the model is an extension of the broader healthcare landscape focused on reducing healthcare costs for the nation,” she said. “Both of these are important goals, but the community aspect can easily get lost when it comes out of focus.”

The book traces how administrators and advocates employed and adapted social narratives over several decades and presidential administrations to secure legislative support—and the transformation of their approaches over time. “My book is unique in that it brings together the disciplines of public administration and medical sociology to tackle the problem of persistent health inequities in the United States,” she added. “It explores the tension that public administrators experience between keeping public programs attractive to policymakers, funders and the public while meeting their professional responsibility to social equity, even when it is not the popular choice.”

Building on her previous work, the book also explores how policymakers can create equity by addressing the individual healthcare needs of communities.

“The current federal environment has de-emphasized the importance of social equity and resolving the systemic inequalities that many vulnerable communities endure,” she said. “This book's message is an important message of not losing focus on the people represented by the numbers and data when making public health policy decisions.”

In the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, interdisciplinary education does more than broaden students’ perspectives—it forges unexpected connections and empowers students to chart their own unique academic paths. As he explored areas that aligned with his interests and values, Calum Huang ’26 CLAS crafted a course of study spanning a major in Computer Science and minors in Cognitive Science and Asian Studies, integrating diverse disciplines to prepare for a career in medicine.

Under the mentorship of Venkat Margapuri, PhD, assistant professor of Computing Sciences, Calum pursued research through the Villanova Undergraduate Research Fellowship as well as independent research on stress detection using machine learning.

“During my time at Villanova, Dr. Margapuri in the Computer Sciences department really helped me—from the first time I met him in my databases class in freshman year, to the subsequent classes with him,” says Calum. His work ultimately led to a published paper in the Machine Learning with Applications journal and an opportunity to gain more hands-on learning experience with Anil Bamezai, PhD, professor of Biology, conducting computing research for immunology and pharmacology.

Throughout his undergraduate journey, Calum connected with faculty across the college who encouraged him to pursue his passions, including Associate Teaching Professor of Asian Studies Thomas Noel, PhD. “He has always been very supportive in my endeavors and strives to not only teach well, but build a longer lasting connection to the students,” Calum shares.

Following graduation this spring, Calum was awarded a National Institutes of Health Intramural Research Training Award to conduct research at the National Eye Institute. Congratulations, Calum!

“I think here at Villanova, the sky's the limit,” says Economics major Aidan Shay ’26 CLAS and 2026 Falvey Scholar Award recipient. “If you put your mind or heart to something, if you're willing to go out and get it, this is a place where it can definitely happen.”

Aidan’s research project, “How Do Recipient Countries’ Foreign Exchange Rates React to World Bank Loan Announcements,” explores an important area of international development. The World Bank provides loans for middle and low-income countries to support public initiatives including economic development, sustainability efforts, infrastructure investments and social services. His research examines whether the World Bank loan announcements affect the value of the recipient countries’ currency.

The idea for this project grew out of a capstone course with Christopher Kilby, PhD, the James Joo-Jin Kim Endowed Chair in Economics. “[He] inspired me to look at more World Bank related ideas,” says Aidan. “That tax market's huge, and it’s very interesting to see how the two ideas correlated.”

In addition to Dr. Kilby’s guidance, Aidan found mentors across the college who helped shape his academic and personal growth, including Catherine of Siena Teaching Scholar James Waters, PhD. “Something that makes Villanova truly unique in today's educational landscape is that it challenges you to ask what kind of life you are building, not just what you will do with it,” he explains. “Professor Waters brought that sentiment to life for me and pushed me to reflect on the person I wanted to be and how I could use my skills to improve the lives of others.”

This summer, Aidan is interning at Wells Fargo in Charlotte, North Carolina, before returning to Villanova to begin the Master of Science in Finance program. Looking ahead, Aidan has set his sights on a career in development finance with an international financial institution such as the World Bank or the International Finance Corporation.

This , we celebrate Professor of Mathematics and 2026 University Mid-Career Service Award honoree Kathryn Haymaker, PhD!

“I am honored to receive the University Mid-Career Service Award—I love that service is baked into the Villanova ethos,” she says. “I am grateful to my colleagues in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics for creating a generous community that values service alongside teaching and research ... I'd like to acknowledge my faculty colleagues working on University governance through the Faculty Congress at Villanova—your work on behalf of colleagues and the University is valuable and inspiring!”

Dr. Haymaker’s favorite topics to teach include mathematical coding theory and applied discrete mathematics. “On the research side, I recently co-organized a collaborative workshop on Combinatorial Coding Theory at the American Institute of Mathematics at Caltech,” she says. “Our workshop brought together researchers from different levels to spark new collaborations in the field.”

Outside of working with Villanova students, Dr. Haymaker loves spreading the joy of mathematics to the wider community. Last year, she co-founded the Main Line Math Circle, a program that gathers middle and high school students to explore mathematical ideas over a pizza dinner with guidance from high school mentors and experienced mathematics educators. “We had a successful inaugural year of meetings on Villanova's beautiful campus, with funding support from the Mathematical Association of America and the Mary P. Dolciani Halloran Foundation,” she adds.

This year, Dr. Haymaker also became the first woman promoted to full Professor in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics’ nearly 80-year history.

For many Villanova students, the question of what comes next isn’t just about landing a job; it’s about discovering a call. Through a growing network of campus funding opportunities, such as the Honors Vocare Summer Fellows Program, students are gaining meaningful, hands-on experiences that help them connect their passions with the world’s needs.

For some students, that call reaches beyond campus. After interning in Washington, D.C. with Senator Chuck Schumer, Vincenza Julian ’26 CLAS reshaped her outlook on her vocation, reinforcing the importance of community impact on her career path.

“Working in Senator Schumer’s office exposed me to the benefits of thoughtful policy and advocacy on people’s everyday lives,” says Vincenza, who majored in Public Service and Administration and Political Science. “It helped me realize that I don’t just want a job; rather, I want a career that allows me to give back to the communities that have shaped me.”

Across the globe, Environmental Science and Geography double major Hayley Wilson ’26 CLAS interned at the Punta Campanella Marine Protected Area in Sorrento, Italy. There, she encountered the challenges facing global ecosystems firsthand while learning conservation methods not yet widely used in the United States.

“Vocare enabled me to immerse myself in meaningful environmental work, fully connect with international researchers and envision a career in global corporate sustainability so that my work can contribute to the common good,” says Hayley.

Back in Pennsylvania, Public Service and Administration and Humanities double major Angelina Rivera ’27 CLAS explored her calling through an internship at the Philadelphia Black Women’s Health Alliance. “It helped me to imagine a career in community-based public service and increased my confidence to do that work thoughtfully and effectively,” she shares.

Villanova offers a range of funding opportunities across campus to support unpaid internships, ensuring broader access to transformative experiences like these. To learn more, check out the full story at the link in bio.

Our feature this week is Associate Teaching Professor of Psychological and Brain Sciences Anna B. Drummey, PhD! Dr. Drummey is the recipient of Villanova’s 2026 Faculty Award for Innovative Teaching, recognizing the employment of creative techniques in her courses to enhance student learning and growth.

“I am deeply honored to be recognized by the University with this award,” she says. “As someone who regularly teaches students in the Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience major, I believe that embracing innovation is essential to preparing students to remain at the forefront of research and discovery in this rapidly evolving field.”

For Dr. Drummey, experiential learning is key to preparing students for their post-Villanova journeys. In Cognitive Neuroscience, students build on foundational concepts of the nervous system’s electrical activity through engaging lab work. “Through our investment in specialized equipment, students gain hands-on experience and leave the course with practical neuroscience skills that they consistently report as valuable and applicable to their future academic and professional pursuits,” she explains.

In addition to her teaching, Dr. Drummey is dedicated to cultivating meaningful learning experiences through her research and advising roles. In collaboration with fellow Psychological and Brain Sciences scholars Irene Kan, PhD, and Muhammed Qadri, PhD, she studies the neural correlates of cognitive control and smartphone use, advancing scientific understanding while providing students with faculty-mentored research opportunities. As an advisor for the Rev. Kail C. Ellis, OSA, Center for Undergraduate Students, she also meets with students about their academic interests and goals, connecting them with resources to help them make informed decisions about their educational and professional direction.

“I feel fortunate to be a member of the Villanova community, where I have found support both professionally and personally,” adds Dr. Drummey. “Working alongside dedicated colleagues and having the opportunity to teach and mentor our students has been an exceptionally rewarding and fulfilling experience.”

When the public thinks of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), they often picture special agents investigating high-profile cases. But the agency heavily depends on the professionals working behind the scenes—including Robert Parlato ’93 CLAS.

For 21 years, Parlato has supported the FBI as a professional staff employee, helping recruit talent, streamline background investigations and manage resources that enable the Bureau to carry out its mission of protecting the American people and upholding the Constitution.

“What I enjoy most about working in public service is knowing that my work contributes to something larger than myself,” he says. “There’s a strong sense of purpose that comes from knowing your efforts help support public safety and national security, and that’s what continues to motivate me each day.”

As an Economics major, Parlato shares his appreciation not only for the strong foundation in economic theory and statistical analysis, but how the College’s interdisciplinary curriculum prepared him in unexpected ways for his profession. In particular, he fondly recalls the Humanities seminars challenging him to think critically, write clearly and engage thoughtfully with complex issues and differing perspectives.

“Those experiences helped strengthen my ability to communicate effectively, collaborate with others and approach problems strategically—all of which are essential in government leadership and public administration,” he explains. “Looking back, Villanova helped me develop not only technical and analytical skills, but also the intellectual curiosity and sense of purpose that continue to guide me today.”

Several professors left a lasting impact on Parlato, including David Barrett, PhD, Edwin Mathis, PhD, and Peter Zaleski, PhD. “Beyond the classroom, these faculty members were incredibly supportive mentors who helped guide me as I prepared to enter the workforce,” he adds.

As 2026 graduates begin their post-Villanova journeys, Parlato encourages them to find opportunities to learn and develop valuable experiences. “Stay curious, remain adaptable and continue investing in yourself and your growth.”

This , please join us in congratulating Raúl Diego Rivera Hernández, PhD, director of the Latin American Studies program and associate professor of Spanish, on being awarded a prestigious 2026-2027 Fulbright U.S. Scholar grant! From January through June 2027, Dr. Diego Rivera Hernández will serve as a Fulbright Scholar-in-Residence in the Department of North American Studies, Faculty of Social Sciences, at Charles University in Prague, Czechia.

The Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program offers awards in more than 120 countries for U.S. citizens to teach, conduct research and carry out professional projects around the world. Dr. Diego Rivera Hernández is among a select number of grant recipients chosen on the basis of academic and professional achievement as well as a record of service and demonstrated leadership in their respective fields.

“This award and program help build and strengthen academic relationships and friendships, triggering new and meaningful conversations and contributions,” said Dr. Diego Rivera Hernández. “It offers not only the experience of a different culture and scholastic life, but the ability to discover a different side of yourself, and I am deeply grateful to the Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program and Charles University for the opportunity.”

During his time in Czechia, Dr. Diego Rivera Hernández will work to strengthen Charles University’s North American Studies offerings, with special attention paid to Mexico and the country’s connection to the U.S. As a Fulbright Scholar-in-Residence, he will develop and instruct an interdisciplinary graduate seminar that blends cultural studies, political science and security studies, as well as present his research on the “disappeared” migrants of Central America—a focus of a chapter of his book Narratives of Vulnerability in Mexico’s War on Drugs and a forthcoming documentary film.

English major Katie Lewis ’26 CLAS still remembers the moment a first-year seminar sparked an interest that would stay with her throughout her Villanova journey. Four years later, it became the foundation of her honors thesis, “Boundaries and Belonging in American Higher Education: A Literary Analysis,” earning her recognition as a 2026 Falvey Scholar.

The English course, Transformations, taught by English Professor Megan Quigley, PhD, first introduced Katie to literary works exploring how education changes people’s lives. For her thesis, she returned to the idea of transformation by examining the books “A Tree Grows in Brooklyn,” “Interpreter of Maladies,” and “On Beauty” to trace how portrayals of higher education and the American dream have evolved from the 1940s to the 2000s.

“The knowledge and insights I gained from this project gave me a further appreciation for the value of literature in sparking important discussions and asking critical questions about our society and its institutions,” says Katie. “Through this project, I hoped to share new perspectives and gain a deeper understanding of the role of higher education and the issues surrounding it in the United States today.”

Reflecting on her experience, Katie credits her faculty mentor, Dr. Quigley, with helping her develop as a writer. "She has always been available to discuss research ideas, give thoughtful feedback, and challenge me to think deeply and critically about the works I chose to write about,” shares Katie. In addition to Dr. Quigley, Katie was supported by Villanova alumna Anne Hanafin ’90 CLAS, who provided valuable insights as an English literature teacher and independent scholar.

For Villanovans thinking about their future research, Katie advises taking one step at a time. “There are so many people and resources available here at Villanova to support your project, so I would encourage other students to take initiative and try to make the most of it.”