Jessica Ward is the current Director of Development for the Center for the Advancement of STEM Teaching and Learning Excellence (CASTLE).

Jessica Ward oversees all revenue generating duties and program sustainability efforts for CASTLE, with a focus on relationship building and stewardship of foundation and individual donors, grant writing, and grant program management. Ms. Ward previously served as the Director of Operations for the DragonsTeach program, including leading student recruitment strategies, supporting the development of programs of study, fundraising and grant-writing, hiring and supervising staff and student workers as well as coordinating program evaluation. Prior to her role with DragonsTeach, she worked in the College of Engineering at Drexel University for more than 8 years with a focus on recruitment, grant facilitation, and STEM program management. During her tenure in the College of Engineering, Jessica successfully coordinated with multiple faculty members in the submission of approximately 600 grant proposals, including co-writing, editing and serving as the Program Manager for 5 awarded STEM education grants totaling more than $12M. She has collaborated with University offices and College faculty and professional staff in the facilitation of recruitment strategies to increase the quality and quantity of undergraduate and graduate enrollment, including supervising the planning and implementation of Open House and other recruitment events.