Welcome to the Office of the Provost

As shared at the Academic Transformation Update last week, we’ll be hosting informal, in-person "office hours” to connect directly with the co-chairs leading each workstream. This is not a presentation, just a conversation. We hope these smaller settings will make it easier to ask questions, offer feedback, and stay engaged with the work that’s helping to shape Drexel’s future.

Yesterday marked a significant milestone in Drexel’s future, as Faculty Senate representatives held the final vote to support integrating schools and colleges as part of the Academic Transformation. Specifically, the Senate voted on integrating the School of Education within the College of Arts and Sciences, and unifying the College of Engineering, the College of Computing & Informatics, and the School of Biomedical Engineering, Science and Health Systems into a single college with three schools. These endorsements reflect the open dialogue and shared leadership of our deans, faculty, and professional staff — and our collective commitment to strengthening Drexel.

Working Groups complete Sprint #1; completed reports can be found on the Academic Transformation SharePoint. A review process has been established for working group deliverables to engage and receive input from a range of stakeholders. Guidance has been added for talking to prospective students about Academic Transformation. Faculty Senate approves integration of Close School of Entrepreneurship within LeBow College of Business.

I’m pleased to share that effective Feb. 1, 2025, Aroutis Foster, PhD, Interim Dean and Professor of Learning Technologies in the School of Education, was appointed to the additional role of Project Director for the Greater Philadelphia Region Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (Philadelphia AMP). This position was previously held by Steve Cox, who retired Jan. 31, 2025, but has graciously agreed to serve in a part-time, temporary capacity to ensure the program’s seamless leadership transition.

Drexel University is launching an undergraduate degree in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML), joining a small but growing number of universities creating dedicated AI majors for undergraduates.

Niki Robertson, MS arts administration and museum leadership ’24, designed an exhibition that connects “Alice in Wonderland” with Drexel University’s art collection and the way art has historically been displayed to the public.

An early resident of the new neighborhood, Anthony J. Drexel built a “Drexel Colony” for his family, developed housing for neighbors and supported local institutions — including the one he founded.

Drexel students redesigned the historic, multi-use space to better reflect the University’s modern community and founding ideals of art, science and industry.