September 3, 2020

The Graduate College would like to welcome Anne Converse Willkomm, MFA, who will begin her role as Assistant Dean of the Graduate College effective October 1.

Anne joins the Graduate College after serving as department head of Graduate Studies and assistant clinical professor for Goodwin College of Professional Studies, where managed the program development, faculty and student experience of multiple graduate degrees, certificates and minors. In 2018, Anne devised and launched the MS in Nonprofit Management: Public, Professional & Social Sectors, which recently graduated its first class of students. In 2019, she was awarded the Samuel Mercer, Jr. Teaching Award.

With a focus on civic engagement and leadership development, Anne extended her work and Goodwin’s reach into Drexel’s neighborhoods and across the globe. In collaboration with the Dornsife Center for Neighborhood Partnerships and Beachell Family Learning Center, Anne helped create The Nonprofit Network, a series of free workshops for individuals from the West Philadelphia community who are interested in starting or growing their local non-profit. She also sits on the board of the West Philadelphia Alliance for Children (WePAC). Starting in 2017 as a mentor and then serving as the academic director in 2019, Anne’s work with the Mandela Washington Fellowship helped Drexel deliver a successful educational experience in civic leadership for scholars from across Sub-Saharan Africa.

Beyond Goodwin College, Anne has also served important roles across the University that will support and serve her new position in the Graduate College. Anne’s work in university-wide committees include the President’s 2020 Task Force, Middle States Steering Committee and Co-chair of Standard V, the Faculty Committee on Civic Engagement, Assessment Liaison Committee, Senate Committee on Academic Affairs and the University Council on Graduate Affairs (UCGA), including subcommittees in Academic Affairs and the Graduate Student Excellence Awards (chair).

Anne will continue to teach and work with Goodwin’s graduate students to oversee their academic success — and continue to author Goodwin's popular Professional Studies blog.

Welcome, Anne!