Co-op and Experience: Student Stories

Ambitious leaders, thinkers and change-makers

Founded in 1919, Drexel's Cooperative Education program (co-op) was one of the first of its kind, and it continues to be among the largest and most renowned programs in the nation. At Drexel, co-op is who we are and what we do. The dedicated staff of the Steinbright Career Development Center is here to assist students throughout the co-op process and to help them to leverage 'the Drexel Difference.' At the College of Arts and Sciences, our students don’t just study the issues affecting the world — they study alongside the people affected. Each term, the College encourages students to become effective change agents by participating with non-profits, government and citizen activists through community-based learning courses.

Co-op and Experience

Bridging Classroom Learning with Global Impact

Environmental studies and sustainability major Niya Manning spent three months in Zambia as a Dornsife Global Development Scholar.

Meet Biological Sciences Major Carlie Relyea '23

Relyea majored in biology with a concentration in cellular molecular genetics and biochemistry and a minor in sociology. During her first year, she got involved with the SEA-PHAGES program, which gives students hands-on research experience in their very first term.

Meet Communication Major Kayla Alford '24

Alford majored in communication with a concentration in public relations and a minor in organizational management. A co-op with Comcast's HR team helped her figure out her career goals.

Meet Global Studies Major Rida Memon '24

Memon majored in global studies with a concentration in global justice and human rights, and minored in political science, Spanish and law—a combination she knew would help her achieve her goal of helping marginalized communities as a public interest lawyer.

Meet Criminology and Justice Studies Major Jade Umstead '23

Jade Umstead was interested in both the criminal justice system and the psychology behind crime and found that curriculum in Drexel’s Department of Criminology and Justice Studies allowed students to immerse themselves in both of these different but related disciplines.

Asad Baig and Alexandra Goodin won Fulbright awards

Two College of Arts and Sciences Students Awarded Prestigious Fulbright Grants

Recent College of Arts and Sciences graduates Asad Baig and Alexandra Goodin were awarded Fulbright U.S. Student Program grants for 2025-26. The Fulbright U.S. Student Program provides grants for one year of graduate study, research, creative projects or teaching English worldwide.

Allison Choong (right) presents at Global Solutions Summit

Sociology and Criminology and Justice Studies Major Allison Choong Pitches Project at International Summit

Allison Choong was one of 15 finalists selected for the Young Global Changers Recoupling Awards, which allowed her to pitch her project, 'Safiya Speaks Up,' at the 2025 Global Solutions Summit in Berlin, Germany.

Undergraduate Research Prepares Physics Major for Career in Sustainable Energy

Drexel physics major Alyssa Luby will present her research on the Beam Lifetime (BL3) Experiment at the upcoming Arts and Sciences Undergraduate Research Support (ASURS) symposium.

Abryana Kevelier-Williams and Dean David Brown

Discussions with the Dean: Meet Criminology and Justice Studies Alum Abryana Kevelier-Williams '24

Abryana Kevelier-Williams '24 sat down with Dean David Brown, PhD to discuss her passion for justice informatics and experiences at Drexel, including a co-op in Greece and an intensive course abroad in Denmark.

Steve Vásquez Dolph, PhD (right) recently joined Dean David Brown, PhD for the second installment of his Discussions with the Dean series.

Discussions with the Dean: Meet Associate Dean of DEI & Global Studies Professor Steve Vásquez Dolph

Associate Teaching Professor of Spanish and Associate Dean of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Steve Vásquez Dolph, PhD, recently sat down with Dean David Brown, PhD to discuss the importance of community-based learning, language education, diversity in higher education and more.

Students in Food and Land Security community-based learning course

Community-Based Learning Course Gets Up Close With Philadelphia’s Food Crisis

Food and Land Security in Philadelphia, an intensive community-based learning course offered each year in the College of Arts and Sciences, explores an urgent issue affecting our community alongside the people who are impacted.

Finding Latin American Inspirations in the Library and Archives

As the oldest natural history museum in North America, the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University has a long and varied history. And even with the many well-known figures, works and stories found in its phenomenal Library and Archives, there are more that need to be researched, uncovered and revealed to help shape a brighter, more equitable future.

Discovering Drexel's History: Meet University Archives Assistant Sophia Stutte

Before coming to Drexel, history major Sophia Stutte resided in the Washington, D.C. area, where their fondness for archives and libraries blossomed through countless visits to the renowned Smithsonian museums. A co-op with the Drexel University Archives has allowed them to further explore this passion.

English Language Center Continues to Serve New Generations of Cultural Ambassadors Through Fulbright Programming

The English Language Center (ELC) was recently awarded a five-year renewal of its Fulbright Pre-Academic program grant. This has been the ELC’s signature summer special program since 2009.

Science and Religion Up Close: Lia DiMitri Reflects on Study Abroad Trip

Students in “Science and Religion: From the Big Bang to Neuroscience” spent the winter term exploring the development of science and religion through known human history. The course, taught by Professor of Chemistry Fraser Fleming, PhD, culminated in a nine-day trip to Switzerland, Germany and Italy over spring break.