Drexel Alumni is proud to announce that it is the recipient of the 2024 Alumni Association Inclusive Excellence Award from Insight Into Diversity magazine, the largest and oldest diversity and inclusion publication in higher education.

In its inaugural year, this award recognizes Drexel Alumni for its programs, culture, and initiatives that encourage and support diversity, inclusion, and a sense of belonging for all alumni, across racial and ethnic backgrounds, sexual and gender identities, religions, socio-economic statuses and more. Drexel will be featured, along with 31 other recipients, in the June 2024 issue of Insight Into Diversity.

Fostering diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I), is one of Drexel’s core values and extends across the university community from faculty, students and staff to generations of Drexel alumni. Jonecia Lewis, MS '18, associate director of diverse alumni engagement, is at the nexus of this work, overseeing Drexel Alumni’s existing identity-based groups, helping to establish new affinity groups, and collaborating with DE&I partners across campus to offer a range of inclusive, professional events and workshops, along with social and culturally centered programs.

Says Lewis, “Our mission is to provide multiple access points for our diverse alumni to connect with each other and back to Drexel. I’m excited about this award because it recognizes all the hard work Alumni Relations staff and our alumni volunteers have done over the years. The process has also highlighted areas where we can continue to grow, and I’m excited to explore those and get to work.”

Supporting the efforts of Drexel Alumni is a strong Board of Governors. Says Corina Lam ’10, chair of the Board of Governors, “I’m passionate about diversity and inclusion. By embracing these values, we’re fostering an environment that celebrates unique perspectives and experiences, and we’re ensuring everyone feels respected and empowered. This work creates a thriving, enriching community for all alumni, and for students as well.”

Congratulations to Drexel Alumni for this important achievement. For more information about the 2024 Alumni Association Inclusive Excellence Award, visit insightintodiversity.com. To learn more about Drexel’s ongoing commitment to DE&I, you can read the 2023 report of Drexel’s Office for Institutional Equity and Inclusive Culture. And for more information about Drexel’s current identity-based alumni groups and to get involved, visit the Drexel Alumni website.