Diversity, Equity & Inclusion News

The College of Arts and Sciences (CoAS) at Drexel University has a proud history of initiatives that seek to promote diversity, equity and inclusion. We are committed to addressing and alleviating systemic bias within all institutions, and we invite you to join us in these efforts.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Students discussing African small businesses in West Philly

'West Africa to West Philly' Course Connects Language With Community

Feb 28, 2023

A French course has brought together students and West Philadelphia's native French-speaking West African community, both in and out of the classroom. Students came from different majors and countries to speak and write in French with native speakers and consume Francophone West African works of literature and film in this community-based class.

Meet Jojo Elhassan, Recipient of MFA Scholarship for Marginalized Writers

Feb 20, 2023

Nigerian writer Altine “Jojo” Elhassan, creative writing ’24, is the inaugural recipient of a full tuition scholarship from the MFA Gift Fund for Marginalized Writers. The scholarship aims to support diverse literary voices by funding writers whose personal experiences of marginalization—including but not limited to race, class or disability—inform their work.

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

Feb 15, 2023

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.

2023 Sociology Film Series explores medical sociology

2023 Sociology Film Series Highlights Disability Stories

Jan 20, 2023

For the first time since the pandemic, the Department of Sociology will present its annual Sociology Film Series in person this winter. The series, featuring three films focused on medical sociology, underscores key concepts being taught in the classroom and provides a platform for people living with disabilities to share their stories.

Finding Opportunity as an Indigenous Student

Nov 16, 2022

Sky Harper, a third-year chemistry major, shares his experience finding community and opportunity at Drexel in this guest blog.

Finding Empowerment as a First-Generation Student

Nov 10, 2022

Guest blogger Kaylee Wilson, a third-year sociology and global public health double major, shares her experience as a first-generation college student at Drexel.

a screenshot of a zoom session where participants are going over a sample lesson plan

Drexel English Language Center Helps to Prepare the Next Generation of Fulbrighters

Oct 06, 2022

This past summer, the ELC expanded its IIE Fulbright offerings to include an English Teaching Assistants (ETA) program. The program, funded by a State Department grant, was geared toward preparing Fulbright scholars for their upcoming teaching roles across the globe.

Riya Shah, Weixiang Yu and Justin Gambrell are doctoral students in Drexel University's Physics program

Students Find Their Research Niche in Physics PhD Program

Aug 30, 2022

With five different specialties—astrophysics, biophysics, particle physics, condensed matter and physics education research—Drexel’s physics PhD program gives students the flexibility to pursue unique, individualized research based on their own personal interests and career goals. We spoke to three of these doctoral students about the research they are doing and what motivates them. While their areas of expertise differ, they share one thing in common: the impact they hope to make in the field of physics—and in the world.

Kiara Santos, a communication major in the College of Arts and Sciences, is the editor of The Drexel Triangle.

Kiara Santos Takes the Helm of The Triangle, Drexel’s Independent Student Newspaper

Jul 26, 2022

When Kiara Santos joined The Triangle as a news writer during her first year at Drexel University, she was determined to work her way up to a leadership position at the independent student newspaper before she graduated. Born and raised in Philadelphia, when it came time to choose a college, Santos knew a traditional four-year route wasn’t for her. Like many children of immigrants, Santos was often encouraged to pursue a prestigious career like law or medicine. But, Santos said, "I always knew I wanted to do journalism. I've always told myself, even as a kid, I want to win a Pulitzer Prize one day."

Akilah Chatman smiles outside in front of wetlands

Environmental Science Alum to Effect Change with Fulbright Fellowship

May 31, 2022

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

May 09, 2022

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.

poster for confronting antisemitism through storytelling event with Star of David and blue text

Drexel Community Confronts Antisemitism by Telling Their Stories

Apr 27, 2022

Pennoni Honors College Dean Paula Marantz Cohen’s hope is that Confronting Antisemitism Through Storytelling, a collaborative event April 28 among Pennoni, Drexel Hillel, Jewish Studies and the College of Arts and Sciences, will spark conversations that are so often dampened by our current society. Rather than taking the form of a panel discussion or conference, the event will focus on the deeply personal, real-life stories of those who have experienced antisemitism first-hand, whether as Jews or allies.

smiling woman standing beside a yellow research board outside on a sunny day

Be Who You Want to Be, at Drexel

Apr 05, 2022

Growing up in South Brunswick, New Jersey, psychology major and student advisory board member Sanjana Oak rarely saw herself represented on the television screen. When she did, that character was grossly stereotyped or there only for comedic relief. What was worse, in real life, her peers expected her to behave in that same way. Curious about whether her experience was unique, she set up a research project through the STAR (Students Tackling Advanced Research) Scholars Program in the Pennoni Honors College.

I am psyched poster reading "this is what a psychologist looks like"

National Traveling Exhibit Returns to Celebrate Women of Color in Psychology

Mar 03, 2022

The I Am Psyched! national touring exhibit has returned to Drexel and is being presented in person this month after last year’s virtual presentation due to the pandemic.

a collage of drawings including hands, books, pens, paper and other writing tools with a bubble that says "creative writing."

MFA Program Launches Scholarship Fund to Support Marginalized Writers

Feb 17, 2022

When the first cohort of students in Drexel’s MFA in Creative Writing program graduated, in the spring of 2021, its members raised and donated $1,300 to fund the program’s civic engagement efforts. The gesture was well in keeping with a core tenet of the University, the College and the program itself, and it touched MFA program director Nomi Eve deeply.