August 6, 2025

PHILADELPHIA, PA - Just in time for World Breastfeeding Week, Drexel University’s Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts & Design has unveiled a new Mamava lactation pod in the URBN Center to meet the needs of chestfeeding people within the campus community. Drexel Westphal is proud to take a progressive stance to improve lactation support.

“This dedicated space illustrates Westphal’s commitment to a culture of support and belonging,” said Laurel Hostak Jones, Associate Director of Communications for Drexel Westphal and graduate student in the Dornsife School of Public Health, who initiated the project. “As a mother of two, I know the challenges of maintaining a career while feeding and caring for babies. I hope the presence of the Mamava pod signals to new parents among our faculty, staff, and student body that they are welcome and cared-for here.”

Mamava is transforming the culture of breastfeeding by making it easier for more parents to pump or nurse at work and on the go. Mamava lactation pods are freestanding spaces intentionally designed with easy-to-clean surfaces, app-enabled access, and conveniently placed outlets to provide a comfortable and private option to breastfeed or pump. The new Mamava Solo lactation pod in Drexel’s URBN Center joins a number of additional lactation rooms across the University City campus, and is the first dedicated lactation space in a building occupied by the Antoinette Westphal College.

“We’re thrilled to support breastfeeding at Drexel,” said Sascha Mayer, cofounder of Mamava. “We believe that all breastfeeding parents deserve a dignified place to breast pump or feed a baby distraction-free—anywhere, anytime. Drexel is helping normalize breastfeeding and increasing equitable access to lactation support for the next generation.”

The Mamava pod, which has support from the Office of the Dean and Office of Community & Global Initiatives, is the latest in professional staff-led projects supporting reproductive and maternal health at Drexel Westphal. Another initiative, the Period Equity and Equality Program (P.E.E.P.), provides no-cost menstrual products to students, faculty, staff, and visitors to Westphal buildings. Led by Mysha Harrell, Executive Assistant, and Dayana Marshall, Associate Director of Events, P.E.E.P. has inspired similar programs across campus. Both initiatives support the Drexel Westphal mission, vision, and values, as well as Drexel 2030, Drexel University's Strategic Plan, which places emphasis on Health Access and Wellness and Human-Centered Design, among other priorities.

This fall, Drexel Westphal plans to hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new lactation space, which is now open to the entire Drexel community.

Interested in using the Mamava lactation pod in the URBN Center? Visit the Drexel Human Resources Website to learn more about access and view a full list of lactation spaces on campus.