Welcome Message From President Merlo

Dear Members of the Drexel Community, 

Welcome to a new academic year! I am grateful you are here and contributing to the vibrancy of our campus.

As we begin this exciting chapter, we extend a warm welcome to our exceptional, new undergraduate and graduate students who have chosen Drexel as the next step in their journey. Hailing from all corners of the country and the world, these students bring not only remarkable academic accomplishments but also impressive and inspiring commitments outside of the classroom — from conducting cancer research to documentary filmmaking and even participation in Olympic trials. We celebrate your experiences and perspectives and know you will uniquely contribute to the energy of our community.

We are equally thrilled to welcome 16 outstanding new faculty members who are scholars and innovators ready to inspire, teach and mentor the next generation of changemakers. Their expertise and research accomplishments will strengthen and enrich the academic fabric of Drexel.

Since starting my presidency in July, I have had the rewarding opportunity to meet with so many faculty, professional staff and students — during my office hours, at Welcome Week events and even casually walking across campus. These moments are truly the highlight of my every day and remind me of the promise of our community.

At the heart of all we do is Drexel’s resolute commitment to innovation, adaptability and experiential learning, and to fostering an environment where students of all backgrounds are empowered to succeed. Together, we are setting the stage for meaningful work, discovery and connection in the months ahead.

Bold Initiatives

I have been excited to join an institution amid astonishing change and progress. The ongoing progress of Academic Transformation and our official merger with Salus University reflect Drexel’s longstanding ability to anticipate and adapt to the evolving needs of society. Driving these efforts is our steadfast commitment to delivering a student-centered, world-class education — one that’s deeply experiential and designed to give our students a powerful head start before they graduate. Everything we do begins with one guiding principle: ensuring our students thrive and succeed. And now, we are taking that commitment to an even higher level.

As we begin this academic year, we enter the implementation phase of our Academic Transformation. A recent major milestone in this journey is the beginning of the integration of the College of Engineering, the College of Computing & Informatics and the School of Biomedical Engineering, Science and Health Systems into a new academic unit — the College of Engineering and Computing. Other academic units that are also integrating this year are our School of Education with the College of Arts and Sciences, Charles D. Close School of Entrepreneurship with the LeBow College of Business and A.J. Drexel Autism Institute with the Dornsife School of Public Health. These changes go far beyond organizational restructuring. They are designed to spark deeper collaboration, enrich the student learning experience and fuel innovative research and solutions that will shape both academia and society for years to come.

They also align with our broader plans to shift to a semester-based academic calendar and introduce a redesigned curriculum tailored to the evolving future of work. Our priority remains clear: to provide students with the most enriching, forward-looking education possible. We’ll continue to share updates and resources to support a smooth transition.

In that same spirit, I am thrilled to announce the launch of an experiential education hub, a visionary step that provides our students with an enhanced opportunity to immediately apply their education to the real world. This hub will closely align our flagship co-op program and other experiential learning opportunities including research, civic engagement, global experiences and project-based learning with our academic enterprise. This is more than a new initiative. It is a declaration of our values and a commitment to a future where education is not confined to the classroom, but expanded through real-world engagement, interdisciplinary exploration and global collaboration. Education is most powerful when traditional learning is coupled with experiences that are active, immersive and deeply connected to the world.

From local to global opportunities, from entrepreneurial ventures to research in action, this new hub will be a place where learning and skills will come together to create the leaders of tomorrow. As an important first step in connecting all these experiences, we are bringing together — within the Office of the Provost — Drexel Global and the Steinbright Career Development Center. Provost Paul Jensen will share more details about this transition in the coming weeks.

At the same time, we are reimagining how Drexel prepares students to lead in a world transformed by technology. By exploring how artificial intelligence can enhance our academic programs, we are aiming to equip students not only for today’s job market but for the workforce of the future. The recent launch of our undergraduate degree in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML) places Drexel among a pioneering group of universities offering dedicated AI majors — ensuring our students remain at the forefront of this rapidly evolving field. 

Taking the Stage

We enter this year with momentum, building on a foundation of remarkable achievements, from groundbreaking faculty research to student excellence across awards, presentations, performances, projects and athletics. In the just-released U.S. News & World Report “U.S. News Best Colleges” rankings, Drexel proudly improved its position within the Top 100 by moving up six spots from the previous year to No. 80 out of 434 ranked national institutions and placing 41st among private universities. Drexel also earned recognition as one of the Top 100 “Best Value Schools,” a Top 50 college for veterans and a Top 50 “Most Innovative” institution, and rose to No. 74 (up from 92 last year) as a leading performer in social mobility schools. Factors that contribute to a successful ranking broadly include graduation and retention rates, earnings after college and resources for students and faculty.

For a deeper look into what sets Drexel apart, I invite you to explore the latest edition of EXEL. It is not only a showcase of the University’s research accomplishments, but also a window into our distinctive approach to scientific education. As higher education continues to evolve, Drexel’s model affirms the value of connecting research, teaching and community engagement in ways that prepare students to lead and contribute meaningfully to the world.

Full Steam Ahead

This University will always be a place where ideas flow freely, innovation thrives and every perspective matters. We continue to count on everyone in our Drexel community to engage in civil discourse and show respect toward one another in accordance with our activism guidelines and University values.

In setting intentions, let’s commit to diving into discussions, exploring new ways of thinking and collaborating across boundaries. I will absolutely continue my efforts to meaningfully engage with Drexel’s students and their families, faculty, professional staff, alumni and friends. Your input is truly meaningful to me as we continue to make decisions that will strengthen and shape Drexel’s future.

As many of you know, I spent much of my life playing and coaching water polo. Team sports taught me that success is built on trust, shared purpose and mutual respect. Teams thrive when they are led with courage, conviction and compassion, and when communication is clear, consistent and transparent. I am committed to leading in this spirit, and I hope you will join me as a proud member of Team Drexel. We will achieve great success together.

Let’s roll up our sleeves, harness our momentum and make this year a defining moment for ourselves, each other and our community.

Sincerely,

Antonio Merlo, PhD
President