Heard Around Campus — April 2016

This April is a month of recognition, full of promotions and celebrations of hard work. In case you missed them, here are some campus developments that you might want to recognize.

Lucy Kerman Promoted to Senior Vice Provost for University and Community Partnerships

Lucy Kerman, PhD, has been promoted to senior vice provost for university and community partnerships. As vice provost, Kerman led the creation of Drexel's neighborhood initiatives strategy, which focuses on six areas of key investment in the local community: housing, economic development, safety, retail, education and health. Kerman has been an active contributor to advancing Drexel's culture of civic engagement. She has primary supervision of the Lindy Center for Civic Engagement, which has moved from being a small program in the Pennoni Honors College to a major resource for community-based learning and student leadership under the Provost’s Office. She is also the architect of the Dornsife Center for Neighborhood Partnerships and the vision of “urban extension” as a central part of Drexel's culture.

Kerman has worked with the School of Education and other Drexel and city partners to develop a comprehensive approach to improving educational outcomes for residents of West Philadelphia, from their birth through their college and career. She has supported partnerships with the Samuel Powel School and the Science Leadership Academy, which has led to the creation and formal approval of the Science Leadership Academy Middle School, set to open at the Dornsife Center in the fall.

Most recently, Kerman has been part of the team working to ensure that Schuylkill Yards fulfills its promise of providing access and economic opportunities for West Philadelphia residents.

Celebrate Drexel's Authors

The Office of the Provost and University Libraries will host the fourth annual Celebrating Drexel Authors event on Wed., April 27 from 4–6 p.m., to showcase the work of Drexel faculty, staff and students who authored or edited books published in 2015. Since it first began in 2012, the Celebrating Drexel Authors event has recognized over 175 publications edited or authored by faculty and professional staff.  For the first time, the event this year will introduce recognition of Drexel’s student authors and editors.

This event begins at 4 p.m. and is open to the entire campus community. Click here to RSVP. 

For more information about the event, contact Jenny James Lee at jaj92@drexel.edu.

AskDrexel Added for Benefits, HR and Payroll

AskDrexel is a new, central location to ask questions regarding benefits and payroll. AskDrexel also provides answers to frequently asked questions for common issues.

An advantage of AskDrexel is easy tracking of your request’s progress. After you submit your question or request, you will receive an email confirmation that includes an incident number to track the progress of the response and a link that can be used to provide additional information as needed.

Links to AskDrexel are on DrexelOne, and the websites for the Payroll Department and Human Resources. Step-by-step instructions are available at drexel.edu/comptroller/payroll/instructions/.

Construction/Renovation Updates

Drexel Public Realm Plan: Ideas for Improving the University City Campus  – The Office of Planning, Design and Construction invites the University community to attend an open house on Fri., May 6, from 1–4 p.m. in the Drexel Recreation Center Lobby to discuss Drexel’s Public Realm Plan for the University City Campus. Landscape architects and planners West 8 will be on hand to discuss ideas for improving Drexel’s open spaces. Goals for the plan include making the University City Campus more positively urban and people-friendly, as well as providing a framework for future development that facilitates connections — to the city, to adjacent neighborhoods and among various campus precincts. Contact Alexine Cloonan at nc523@drexel.edu with any questions.

For a full list of major capital projects currently in progress, visit drexel.edu/facilities/design/currentProjects/.