Employee Spotlight: Drexel Musical Chairs Edition

There are some familiar faces occupying new positions at Drexel University. Recently, several leadership positions have been filled by Dragons that were already part of the Drexel community.

Here’s what you need to know about some of the Dragons moving around the University.

Meet the new Director of the Dornsife Center for Neighborhood Partnerships

John D. Kirby, Jr, started as the director in the spring term. He came from the College of Nursing and Health Professions (CNHP), where he most recently led the community health and wellness programming at the Stephen and Sandra Sheller 11th Street Family Health Services Center. Kirby will oversee the cornerstone of Drexel’s commitment to the community.

Kirby initially joined Sheller 11th Street in 2012 as a fitness and wellness trainer. He was promoted and assumed his role as director in 2015, earning a master’s degree in public health from Drexel and purchasing a home through Drexel’s Employee Home Purchase Assistance Program along the way. 

Meet the new Executive Director of the Stephen and Sandra Sheller 11th Street Family Health Services Center 

Roberta Waite, EdD, began her position as the executive director in August, and will continue to serve as assistant dean of academic and community integration in the College of Nursing and Health Professions. She will oversee the community health center that provides primary care, behavioral health services, dental care and wellness programs to nearly 6,000 patients annually in the 11th Street corridor.

Waite first became involved with the Center in 2005 while conducting two pilot research studies focusing on depression in African-American women as part of her research fellowship at the University of Pennsylvania. Then, she officially joined the 11th Street Center as a research scientist, and subsequently earned promotion and tenure as an associate professor at Drexel in 2010, and full professor in 2015. 

Meet the new Vice Provost for Graduate Education

After serving as interim vice provost for the Graduate College for one year, Elisabeth Van Bockstaele, PhD, has been named vice provost for graduate education for a three-year term to continue this work in uniting and promoting all graduate studies at Drexel.

Van Bockstaele is the founding dean of the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences and Professional Studies in the College of Medicine and a professor of pharmacology and physiology. She is also a 2010 graduate of the College of Medicine's Executive Leadership in Academic Medicine® program for women. She first arrived at Drexel in 2013.

Meet the Interim Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education

Shivanthi Anandan, PhD, an associate professor in the College of Arts and Sciences’ Department of Biology, was named interim vice provost for undergraduate education. Anandan will formulate initiatives that will encourage Drexel undergraduate students to become academically, socially and civically engaged.

Anandan started at Drexel as a tenure-track assistant professor in 1997.

Meet the new Interim Vice Provost for Global Engagement

Koren A. Bedeau, PhD, vice provost for academic programs and strategic initiatives, will explore ways to expand and restructure Drexel’s global initiatives by overseeing the newly formed Office of Global Engagement (formerly the Office of International Programs) and the newly formed Office of Education Abroad (formerly the Study Abroad Office). Bedeau will be working closely with Nina M. Henderson Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs M. Brian Blake, PhD, to develop a standing Global Initiatives Council that will develop the University’s long-term vision for global engagement.

Bedeau joined Drexel’s Office of the Provost two years ago.

Meet the Interim Dean of the School of Education

Penny Hammrich, PhD, professor and associate dean of academic affairs and graduate studies in the School of Education, was named the interim dean of the School of Education. In that position, Hammrich will oversee the school, which works to develop expert leaders capable of transforming and enriching educational institutions and diverse populations.

Hammrich first came to Drexel in 2010.

Meet the Interim Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences

Maria T. Schultheis, PhD, was named interim dean of Drexel's College of Arts and Sciences. In her new position, Schultheis will look within the College and across the University to emphasize the important role that the College has to play in Drexel’s vision and mission.

As a clinical neuropsychologist, Schultheis has been a professor of psychology in the Psychology Department since 2005, and department chair since 2016. She also earned her doctorate in clinical psychology at Drexel in 1998.