The Lenfest Center for Cultural Partnerships advances the University’s mission of experiential learning and research while contributing to the success of cultural nonprofit partners. Through strategic partnerships with cultural organizations, the Center facilitates experiential education for students: co-ops and internships, research projects, special classes, and other opportunities. We also use and leverage Drexel’s collective expertise through research and planning projects that engage faculty and students across disciplines in working with partner organizations to solve important problems.

From Co-Ops:

“Since my co-op, I have stayed on staff part-time at HSP [and also] have worked with a few other cultural institutions in the Philadelphia area. I gained a deep appreciation for the nonprofit community here in Philadelphia and completely rearranged my career goals because of it. I believe that, once I graduate, I will be in a good position to pursue a career working with historical nonprofits in the Philadelphia area, and I have HSP and the Drexel/Lenfest co-op experience to thank for that.”
—Drexel Co-op, Historical Society of Pennsylvania 

“I had never really thought about how my major could be applied to the cultural sector despite having interest in it, and this co-op really showed me that I have so many options post-graduation…I am so thankful to have had this opportunity. It has forever changed how I experience Philadelphia and my outlook on my future career.”
—Drexel Co-op, Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance

From Employers:

“Our Drexel co-op has been a wonderful addition to the DMNH staff. She is professional, eager to participate in projects and to strengthen her skills, and takes the initiative in coming up with ideas and questions. It feels like she’s been here a lot longer than she actually has been—she fits into the staff very, very well, and we’d love to have her here for longer than six months!”
—Jennifer Acord, Director of Communications, Delaware Museum of Natural History

“A quick note to say how much I love having our Drexel co-op here as part of our PAFA Marketing team. She is a dynamo and has been a great resource for us. I hope we can both benefit from having her here for a second co-op experience—I think she’s learning a lot, and we are pleased to have such a passionate team member.”
—Malini Doddamani, Chief Marketing Officer, Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts 

“We had our diversity, equity and inclusion affinity group meeting yesterday, and it reminded me how much we benefitted from our Drexel Co-op, who did so much work in that area that we are now building upon. We would love to have another student.”
—Maud Lyon, President, Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance

“Our Drexel co-op said that he’s already learned a good deal about working in a professional situation. He’s managing his time well, staying focused on the task at hand, and feels that he’s getting a better understanding of the non-profit, academic work setting. From my perspective, it’s been great to have him here. That extra pair of hands, new perspective, and eagerness to learn that he brings is really a gift. Thank you! …He is the first in his family (he’s one of 11—the center one!—in a blended family) to attend college, and his goal (at the moment) is to go into medicine.”
—Joanne Murray, Historian and Director, Drexel University College of Medicine Legacy Center