Message from the Dean
Congratulations to the Class of 2025!
On behalf of the faculty and staff of the School of Education, I want to say that it has been an honor to teach and support you on your educational journey at Drexel. We know that the path to this day was not easy. Your commitment to your studies is admirable, and we are inspired by your unwavering spirit to achieve your educational goals.
We wish you the very best as you embark on your careers. Remember, you may be leaving Drexel with your degree, but you will always be a Dragon! You are now part of the School of Education alumni network. I encourage you to keep in touch with your faculty and advisors, letting us know how you are doing and if we can support you. We love hearing from our alumni!
Best Regards,
Aroutis Foster, PhD
Interim Dean and Professor
About the Keynote Speaker
Tony B. Watlington, Sr. Ed.D. became superintendent of the School District of Philadelphia — the nation’s 8th largest district, serving nearly 200,000 students — on April 1, 2022, and was sworn in on June 16, 2022. He launched a three-phase entry plan beginning with a listening and learning tour, followed by the formation of a transition team of 100 diverse Philadelphians and K-12 national experts, and culminating in a five-year strategic plan aimed at making the district the fastest-improving large urban district in the country.
Under his leadership, the district outperformed other large urban districts nationwide in math and reading for grades 3-8, according to the Education Recovery Scorecard by Harvard and Stanford.
Previously , Dr. Watlington was the superintendent of Rowan-Salisbury Schools, North Carolina’s first Renewal School District, where he implemented an equity-focused strategic plan and improved literacy and growth targets significantly.He also served as chief of schools in Guilford County Schools, North Carolina’s third largest district, where he improved academic outcomes, graduation rates, and teacher satisfaction while reducing turnover, absenteeism and discipline incidents.
A first-generation college graduate, Dr. Watlington is dedicated to equity and creating life-changing opportunities for all children. He holds degrees from N.C. A&T State University, The Ohio State University, and UNC-Chapel Hill, with additional training from Harvard and Yale. He began his career as a history teacher and has received numerous awards for his leadership.
Outside of work, he enjoys family time, community volunteering, CrossFit, running, traveling, playing guitar and basketball with his three sons.
You're a Forever Dragon Now!
Don't Miss the University-Wide Commencement on June 12!
We hope you'll join us for this special event at Citizens Bank Park on Thursday, June 12 at 5 p.m. ET. We look forward to celebrating our graduates at the University-wide Commencement ceremony, where our newest Forever Dragons will get the chance to participate in a procession around the baseball field and have their degrees conferred before being officially welcomed into the ranks of Drexel alumni.