Educational Opportunities

Graduate Assistant for graduates: A note from Lynne Hartnett, PhD, Director, Graduate Program in History

Through a grant from the National Archives grants program, funding has been secured to offer a new graduate assistantship for students who apply to the Villanova University master’s program in History for the Fall 2020 term. The assistantship covers the cost of tuition and offers a stipend for work with Professor Judith Giesberg, PhD, on the Last Seen Project, which is dedicated to discovering and digitizing “Information Wanted” newspaper ads from emancipated slaves searching for family members in the 19th century.

The graduate assistant will work 14 hours a week identifying, collecting and uploading advertisements from microfilmed newspapers; proofing and editing crowd-sourced transcription; tagging the collection; and coordinating social media accounts. Applicants must meet the admission requirements for the MA in History at Villanova, including a Bachelor’s in History or related field. Interest in U.S. History and digital humanities skills preferred.

To be eligible for this assistantship, students must complete their applications to the MA program by July 15, 2020.

I ask that you please consider sending this information to students whom you think may have interest. This position may be an excellent option for students who did not gain admission to a PhD program or had their career plans interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Please encourage your students to contact me directly with any questions about Villanova’s graduate History program or this new funded position.

Sincerely,

Lynne Hartnett, PhD
Director, Graduate Program in History