COOP 101 Instructors
Mary Ellen Taggart-Ford
Phone: 215.895.6919
Email: mt333@drexel.edu
Prior to joining Drexel University, Mrs. Ford was an elementary teacher for 14 years. The past 13 years were as part of the faculty at St. Joseph School in Collingdale, PA. For 15 years prior to that she worked at a number of technical and management positions at Colonial Penn Insurance Company. Her last position there was as a Product Manager in the Property/Casualty Marketing Department.
Mrs. Ford has a B.A. in Communication (Radio/TV) from the University of Scranton; an MBA in Marketing from Temple University; and an M.Ed. in Elementary Education from Widener University. In addition, she holds a Pennsylvania Teachers’ Certification.
Marilyn Sobel
Phone: 215.895.2874
Email: mcs57@drexel.edu
Marilyn spent a year and a half as a co-op coordinator before becoming a Co-op 101 instructor. During that time, in addition to working directly with students, she also led workshops on writing cover letters and searching for jobs independently. Marilyn also spent ten years as an elementary teacher, with a special focus on teaching writing skills. Before joining Drexel University, she spent several years at home with her children and worked as a substitute teacher. Marilyn has a B.A. in Anthropology from the University of California at Berkeley and an M.A. in Elementary Education from Teachers College, Columbia University. She is currently working on her Ph.D. in environmental science. She studies rare plants.
Nancy LeClair
Phone: 215.895.1019
Email: njl37@drexel.edu
Nancy LeClair’s background is teaching in both traditional and non-traditional settings. She is experienced in the instruction of a wide range of age groups from pre-school and middle school to high school, where she taught U. S. History for seven years. Her experience extends to instructing in a civic education program in Washington, DC and a children’s museum. Nancy graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in History from the University of Vermont and a Masters degree in Education from the University of Pennsylvania.
Corinne Groff
Phone: 215.895.6077
Email: cmk86@drexel.edu
Prior to joining the Co-op 101 team, Corinne was a Co-op Coordinator for two and a half years. During this time, she worked with co-op students in LeBow's College of Business, as well as approximately 150 different co-op employer partners. In addition, she has co-chaired the SCDC's Professional Development Committee for the past three years, planning professional development activities for the SCDC staff. Prior to joining Drexel University, she worked in higher education for five years, in various advising roles. Corinne holds a Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations from York College of Pennsylvania and a Masters of Education in School Counseling from West Chester University.
Catherine Rooney
Phone: 215.571.3659
Email: cer59@drexel.edu
Catherine joined the COOP 101 faculty in 2009. Prior to that time, she was a high school teacher in the Philadelphia suburbs for 3 years. Before changing to a career in education, Mrs. Rooney spent 25 years in the financial services industry. She served as a portfolio manager and equity analyst for firms in Jenkintown, San Francisco, Wilmington, New York, and Philadelphia. In those positions she was involved in client education and conducted numerous personnel interviews.
Mrs. Rooney earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing and a Master of Business Administration in Finance from Temple University. Additionally, she is a Chartered Financial Analyst. Catherine holds Pennsylvania Teacher Certification in Secondary Social Studies and Business Education. Her Master of Education degree was awarded by Arcadia University.
Angela Brennan
Phone: 215.895.6153
Email: amb526@drexel.edu
Angela joined the Co-op faculty in 2011. Prior to this she taught both elementary and middle school students in private schools in the Delaware County area. She taught science for seven of her ten years in the classroom. Mrs. Brennan also has experience as a medical staffing specialist for a Center City recruiting firm. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Villanova University and a Masters in Administration from West Chester State University.
Lauren McHale
Phone: 215.571.4210
Email: lem69@drexel.edu
Lauren joined the COOP 101 faculty in 2011. She brings to Drexel four years of higher education career advising and placement experience working with undergraduates in both creative and technical degree programs. She also has two years of traditional classroom teaching experience at the high school level where she taught advanced writing, composition and British literature. Lauren also spent several years in the pharmaceutical and microsurgical sales industry. She received her Bachelor's Degree in English from Lafayette College.
