Office of the Provost

Academic Transformation Enters Implementation Phase

August 22, 2025

This message was shared with all faculty and staff on August 20th, 2025.

Dear Colleagues,

This summer marks a pivotal moment in Drexel’s Academic Transformation as we move from design to implementation. Over the past year, our community has engaged in an extraordinary effort to reimagine the academic experience. More than 30 sprint reports, countless hours of collaboration, and bold ideas have shaped a vision for the future of Drexel.

  • Academic Unit Integrations: With strong support from Faculty Senate, the Provost and President, the following integrations were approved:
    • LeBow College of Business + Close School of Entrepreneurship
    • Dornsife School of Public Health + A.J. Drexel Autism Institute
    • College of Engineering + College of Computing & Informatics + School of Biomedical Engineering, Science & Health Systems
    • College of Arts and Sciences + School of Education
  • Consistent Structures: A baseline administrative structure for colleges and schools was developed to support a more consistent, improved academic experience and strategic focus.  
  • Curricular Innovation: Teams defined the semester calendar, core competencies and curricular changes that will shape a modern, distinctive Drexel experience.
  • Policy Acceleration: New processes were created to expedite policy review and approval and ensure stakeholder engagement in this next phase of work.

We are deeply grateful to the faculty and professional staff whose creativity and engagement have propelled this transformation. Now, together, we move forward to bring this vision to life — driven by our shared commitment to student success, academic excellence and a thriving Drexel community.

Implementation Structure

Three primary workstreams will guide this phase:

  • Academic Unit Integration and Alignment
  • Curricular Redesign
  • Consistent and Effective Policies and Practices

Faculty and professional staff in academic and administrative units will lead implementation, supported by central coordinating teams and project managers. Depending on the needs of each unit, academic unit implementation leadership may include an Implementation Lead, Curricular Redesign Lead, and, in integrating units, Change and Communication Leads. The individuals serving in these roles have been appointed by their college/school and are listed on the AT SharePoint.

Cross-functional teams spanning Enrollment, Marketing & Communications, Student Experience, Finance & Business Operations, IT, Legal, Accreditation and more will ensure coordination and support across Transformation.

Implementation Milestones

Academic Unit Integration

  • Summer 2025: Integration begins. Deans review structures for consistency; Enrollment Management begins recruiting students for new units. The name and dean search for the new “tech” unit will be announced shortly.
  • Fall 2025–Summer 2026: Units integrate teams, systems and processes.
  • September 1, 2026: Integrations considered fully implemented.

Curricular Redesign Milestones

  • August 2025: A handbook is being finalized that will guide program- and course-level revisions.   
  • Fall 2025-May 2026: Program-level revisions will take place in phases, moving through an expedited SCAA review; course-level revisions, new course development will follow.
  • Feb 2026-Ongoing: Advisors lead development of custom plans of study for students going through AT transition.
  • May 2026: All programs redesigned
  • July 2026: AY 2027–2028 Academic Catalog published
  • August 2027: Launch of semester calendar

What’s Next

In the coming weeks, we will share additional updates and resources including a series of Frequently Asked Questions that will be available on the AT SharePoint. In addition, for academic units, your unit leads are valuable sources of information and feedback; we encourage you to connect with your colleagues with any questions or insights.

Thank you all for your continued engagement and dedication. We are proud of the incredible work that has been accomplished — and even more excited about what lies ahead. Together, we are shaping a stronger, more vibrant academic future for Drexel.

Sincerely,

Amy Weaver
Vice Provost for Academic Strategy & Communications
Academic Transformation Project Lead
 
Chris LaChance
Strategic Projects, Provost’s Office
Academic Transformation Deputy Lead

Kevin Owens, PhD
Chair, Faculty Senate
Associate Professor of Chemistry
Academic Transformation Co-Sponsor
 
Paul E. Jensen, PhD
Executive Vice President
Nina Henderson Provost
Academic Transformation Co-Sponsor