Alumni News

Our College of Arts and Sciences (CoAS) alumni —more than 12,000 strong across 13 different disciplines— make a difference every day by applying their knowledge and working to improve the common good. We would love to hear from you and keep you up-to-date on all of the great things happening at the College!

Meet Our Alumni

Catching up with Mary Madsen, MS Public Policy ’21

Mary Madsen, MS public policy ’21, started her master's program before Covid and graduated with the pandemic in full swing. Originally from Texas, the culture shock of moving to Philadelphia with her husband and child was difficult to begin with, but especially challenging when she realized that she would be stuck in the city with no prospect of returning home due to travel restrictions. But Madsen made the most of her time here. As someone interested in education policy, it was a great opportunity for her to learn about how city councils and school districts work in times of crisis.

Catching up with Greg Loring-Albright, PhD Communication, Culture and Media '22

Greg Loring-Albright, PhD '22, has always loved games, but when he decided to pursue this interest professionally, finding the right graduate program wasn't easy. The interdisciplinary model of Drexel’s Communication, Culture and Media (CCM) program proved to be the foundation he needed to pursue his unique path of study.

Alexandra J. King Pile smiles during a video. An American flag sits behind her.

Catching up with Alexandra J. King Pile, BA International Studies ’07 and Foreign Service Officer for the United States Department of State

We recently had the opportunity to catch up with Alexandra J. King Pile, BA international studies '07, who is currently working as a diplomat for the United States Department of State. Read on to learn about the challenges and opportunities of her role, and how her time at Drexel prepared her for this path.

A variety of icons illustrating digital communication (Facebook like button, text bubbles, etc.)

Drexel’s Master of Science in Strategic and Digital Communication Provides an Outstanding Foundation for Communication Careers in the 21st Century

Drexel’s College of Arts and Sciences is home to one of the most rapidly changing professional fields—communication. In order to keep students on the cutting edge of this highly sought-after field, Drexel’s Master of Science in Strategic and Digital Communication (MS-SDC) program has reinvented its curriculum to accommodate the needs and desires of today’s communication industry.

Spreading the Therapeutic Art of Knitting: Meet Ellen Rubin '92

Ellen Rubin, BS biology '92, started a nonprofit to share the scientifically-backed mental and physical health benefits of knitting and fiber arts with the community members who need it most.

From the Army to Herbal Tea: Meet Lisa Forsyth, MS Environmental Science '91

Lisa Forsyth, MS environmental science ‘91, served 33 years in the US Army as an enlisted soldier and colonel. Now, she lives a self-sustaining lifestyle on her Texas ranch and is the owner of Oli Tea Company, which produces all-natural, sustainably grown herbal tea. It may seem like an unusual career pivot, but according to Forsyth, making your unique idea a reality is "a very Drexel concept."

Akilah Chatman smiles outside in front of wetlands

Environmental Science Alum to Effect Change with Fulbright Fellowship

When people think of their childhood, they often remember their time spent outside. For Akilah Chatman, BS environmental science ’22, every day was a new adventure: climbing waterfalls, jumping from cliffs, exploring rainforests, befriending frogs and lizards, inspecting flora, gardening with their mother and so much more. Their grandparents’ beachfront restaurant offered ample time for Chatman to learn the ways of seaside life. Now, as a Drexel alum and Fulbright Fellow, Chatman is about to begin their next journey—to create and uplift a new green space in Cambodia.

Giant Swallowtail butterfly sticker created by Mary Donnelly, who earned her Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science from Drexel in 2022.

Getting Creative in the Field

Mary Donnelly –who recently earned her Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science from Drexel’s Biodiversity, Earth and Environmental Science (BEES) department — loves fieldwork. But instead of marshlands, forests, plains or deserts, Mary has been busy working right here in Philadelphia. Besides getting out into the field, her interests lie particularly in wildlife conservation. So, for her senior research project, Mary found a fun, collaborative way to do both while also sharing her findings with the community.

A copy of the book A Legacy to Share held up on Drexel's campus

Student Interns in Drexel Publishing Group Produce Book Honoring Black Alumni Experience

During Homecoming Weekend, the Drexel Black Alumni Council (DUBAC) launched a special collection of essays. Titled A Legacy to Share, the new book honors over 50 years of history since the first wave of Black students arrived on Drexel's campus in the late 1960s. Student interns in the Drexel Publishing Group were responsible for copy editing, proofreading and applying styles for formatting the book.

Eight students stand with the Maryanoffs and Chemistry Department Head Joe Foley

Students Receive Chemistry Research Experience Through Maryanoff Scholars Program

Thanks to the generous support of two Drexel alumni, Bruce and Cynthia Maryanoff, selected College of Arts and Sciences students are able to participate in a chemistry research program during the first summer after their freshman year. Recent Maryanoff Scholars share their research projects and their experience in the program.