7828_OGCR_vMISSION:Layout 3 4/14/10 4:59 PM Page 2 BRIAN KEECH, VICE PRESIDENT OFFICE OF GOVERNMENT AND COMMUNITY RELATIONS DREXEL UNIVERSITY 3141 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104 215-895-2000 drexel.edu/admin/ogcr 7828_OGCR_vMISSION:Layout 3 4/14/10 4:59 PM Page 3 DREXEL UNIVERSITY COMMUNITY IMPACT REPORT 2010 Good Neighbors, Great Partners 7828_OGCR_vMISSION:Layout 3 4/14/10 4:59 PM Page 4 UNIVERSITY MISSION To serve our students and society through comprehensive integrated academic offerings enhanced by technology, co-operative education, and clinical practice in an urban setting, with global outreach embracing research, scholarly L Drexel students and neighbors alike enjoy the space and the views of the new Drexel Park, developed by the University on a former industrial site at 32nd Street and Powelton Avenue. activities, and community initiatives. 7828_OGCR_vMISSION:Layout 3 4/14/10 4:59 PM Page 1 FROM THE PRESIDENT Drexel has deep roots in our neighborhood, our city, our region and Pennsylvania. It is these roots that nurtured a university strong enough to develop a global reach and comprehensive aca- demics. Our success owes much to the vibrant “living laboratory” around us, and we are proud to pay that debt through ever-increasing service to our neighbors. Our expanding mission has created exciting new opportunities to engage our community. Drexel’s medical, nursing and public health programs provide vital care to local residents, especially the under- served. Our new Earle Mack School of Law has made pro bono legal work a centerpiece of its activities. Across Drexel, our students, faculty and staff are finding innovative ways to make a difference. Community outreach efforts are being developed at the grassroots level in every part of the University. Two thriving centers help to manage these initiatives and maximize their impact. Our Office of Government and Community Relations, led by Vice President Brian Keech, oversees fruitful relationships with community leaders and elected officials while coordinating a huge volume of service activities. And our Center for Civic Engagement, run out of the office of Provost Mark Greenberg, finds in- novative ways to link our students to the community and broaden their educational experience. We have expanded access to Drexel’s academic enterprise, both by offering educational programs and support to the com- munity at large and by recruiting outstanding local students. I am particularly proud of our new Liberty Scholars program, which provides 50 new full Drexel scholarships each year, 250 total at any given moment, to Philadelphians with significant financial need. This report provides an excellent overview of Drexel’s service to our community. It will inform not only friends and sup- porters outside the University but also my colleagues on campus, where service is so ingrained in our culture that the extent of our commitment is sometimes overlooked. C.R. “Chuck” Pennoni Interim President 7828_OGCR_vMISSION:Layout 3 4/14/10 4:59 PM Page 2 FOR BETTER EDUCATION: Bringing students and teachers to Drexel rexel is one of the world’s great academic centers. Students, pro- In another example of our unique initiatives, students get a head start on fessors and researchers arrive here from around the nation and the college-level experiences through the College of Engineering’s Summer Dglobe to be part of a community of outstanding scholars. Just as im- Mentorship Program, a three-week research program that puts prom- portant to the University’s mission of service, however, are hundreds of peo- ising students in a Drexel laboratory to work on an individualized research ple who travel a much shorter distance: area high school students and project. And prospective summer campers who prefer advanced com- teachers who come to Drexel’s campuses for a variety of programs that in- puting to canoeing can spend five weeks at the Drexel University Com- spire them to new levels of skill, confidence and success. puting Academy, the College of Information Science and Technology’s Local high schoolers can be found at Drexel throughout the year, learn- successor to the Pennsylvania Governor’s School for Information, Soci- ing from faculty and students, taking part in unique events and competi- ety and Technology. tions and preparing for their futures. For example, Philadelphia high school Students also travel virtually to take advantage of Drexel’s academic students, and especially resources. Millions of online visitors each month come to The Math minority students, gain Forum @ Drexel, where teachers, mathematicians, researchers, students exposure to rewarding and parents use the power of the Web to collaborate on learning math Local high schoolers come to Drexel health sciences careers and improving math education. throughout the year, learning from faculty and through Drexel’s Health Drexel takes special pride in its role in the region’s strong community students, taking part in unique events and Explorers Post, run by of primary and secondary teachers. The School of Education in Drexel’s the Office of Govern- Richard C. Goodwin College of Professional Studies graduates an out- competitions and preparing for their futures. ment and Community standing class of new teachers each year, as well as welcoming some of Relations and featuring the region’s best experienced teachers for advanced study and certifica- mentoring and support tion to further their careers. in academics, job readiness and general life skills. And technology-minded The School of Education, in partnership with the College of Arts and students from the region and eight surrounding states come to Drexel Sciences and the School of Biomedical Engineering, also participates in each spring to compete in the FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition efforts such as the National Science Foundation’s Robert Noyce of Science and Technology) Robotics Competition. Hosted by the Col- Teacher Scholarship Program, under which science, math or engi- lege of Engineering, the competition is the culmination of six weeks de- neering students receive scholarship aid in exchange for committing to signing and building robots. teach in Philadelphia public schools. In the summer, Drexel really comes alive for high school students. Philadelphia-area science, technology, engineering and math teachers Philadelphia sophomores flock to the Philadelphia Futures Sponsor-a- gain new perspectives on their fields and take new knowledge and tech- Scholar Computer Camp to build their skills and learn social awareness. niques back to their classrooms through Research Experiences for After six weeks of study in civics, writing and computers, plus an in-depth Teachers. The College of Engineering offers this six-week research and social research project, each successful student receives a computer to professional development program. keep from Drexel’s Office of Information Resources and Technology. 2 | DREXEL UNIVERSITY COMMUNITY IMPACT REPORT 7828_OGCR_vMISSION:Layout 3 4/14/10 5:00 PM Page 3 Growing Drexel’s tradition of opportunity: Scholarships for Philadelphians It’s a conundrum faced by too many urban high school graduates: Higher ed- ucation might be the key to economic success, but economic conditions can make that education unattainable. Drexel is helping to address that prob- lem in Philadelphia with the new Drexel Liberty Scholars program. Each year the University offers full- tuition, full-fees scholarships to 50 standout graduates of Philadelphia public and diocesan high schools who demonstrate significant financial need. Ultimately numbering 250 at any one time, Liberty Scholars take advantage of a special mentoring program to help ensure their college success. Mayor Michael Nutter, who has chal- lenged the region’s colleges and uni- versities to fund 1,000 new scholarships for Philadelphians by 2011, praised Drexel’s commitment and promised to “make sure that other universities take notice, and once again follow Drexel’s lead.” When Liberty Scholars step onto campus, they begin a journey that hopefully ends in a bright future for them and for the city of Philadelphia. L High school students see Hubo the Robot in action. Liberty Scholars. Celebrating the inauguration of the program at Drexel (above, l to r): State Senator Vincent Hughes; Senior Vice President for Enrollment Manage- ment Joan McDonald; Drexel Chairman of the Board Richard Greenawalt; Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell; Liberty Scholars Samantha Kwan, Christopher Paul and Brenda Ruiz; State Representative James Roebuck, Jr.; Philadelphia’s Chief Education Officer Lori Shorr; and In- terim President C.R. “Chuck” Pennoni. L Students from around the area flock to Drexel for the FIRST Robotics Competition.L Educational professionals come for L The Summer Mentorship Program offers COMMUNITY IMPACT REPORT | 3 Research Experience for Teachers. training opportunities for students. 7828_OGCR_vMISSION:Layout 3 4/14/10 5:00 PM Page 4 FOR BETTER EDUCATION: Taking programs and resources to schools rexel believes in the power of the right learning environment to Drexel’s programs in schools are not limited to our immediate neigh- contribute to the academic success and future potential of children. borhood. For instance, future scientists at 21 middle and high schools DThat’s why Drexel people are in local communities and schools con- throughout the city have had exciting lab experiences made possible by stantly, working with teachers and students to open up new avenues of Science in Motion, a