Program Overview

Scholars Program

The Scholars Program is hosted by the Center for Faith and Learning at Villanova University. The program aims to promote critical inquiry of faith, the intellect, and one's life journey through open dialogue in a supportive community.

Program Description

The program involves dialogue gatherings where Student Scholars and Faculty Mentors discuss provided texts and how they relate to one's faith journey and the community. The program seeks to encourage the next generation of young adults to integrate their faith journey with lifelong learning.

Program Design

The program is designed to provide opportunities for faculty and student conversations concerning the intersection of the life of the mind and the intentional faith journey. The program welcomes all faiths and involves:

• Four Dinner Dialogues per academic year
• Discussion of provided texts and their relation to one's faith journey and the community
• Pairing of each Student Scholar with a Faculty Mentor
• Meetings twice a semester in a group setting for dinner and discussion

Scholar Selection

Students become Scholars by:

• Choosing to apply to be a Faith and Learning Scholar
• Being nominated by a member of the Villanova University community Eligible students must:
  • Have rising sophomore class status
  • Possess and maintain a minimum GPA of 3.25
  • Demonstrate interest in "faith as a journey" learning process
  • Complete application and interview process in the spring of freshman year
  • Submit:
    • An essay
    • Unofficial Villanova University transcript
    • Two personal references

Mentor Responsibilities

Mentors will:

• Attend four Program Dialogues with their assigned Student Scholar per academic year
• Review provided readings and discuss them with other Mentors and Scholars
• Be available to Student Scholars
• Assess and evaluate the Scholar program

Program Communities

The program functions as one large intentional faith community, with three communities:

• St. Monica III Group (current seniors)
• St. Thomas of Villanova III community (current juniors)
• St. Augustine IV group (current sophomores)

Each community has three Program Dialogues per academic year, and one Program Dialogue for all members to gather as a community.

Dinner Schedule

All Dinner Dialogues for Fall 2025 and Spring 2026 will take place in Garey Hall, Room 10A, 5:30-8 p.m. The schedule includes:

• Thursday, September 4, 2025, 5:30-7 P.M. - St. Thomas Of Villanova Community
• Thursday, September 11, 2025 - St. Thomas Of Villanova Community
• Tuesday, September 16, 2025 - St. Augustine Community
• Wednesday, September 24, 2025 - St. Monica Community
• Thursday, October 23, 2025 - St. Thomas Of Villanova Community
• Wednesday, October 29, 2025 - St. Monica Community
• Tuesday, November 4, 2025 - St. Augustine Community
• Community Dinner (date and time to be updated) - Connelly Center, Villanova Room, doors open 5:30 p.m.