The Problem:
Drexel University has put the undergraduate in-person education major “on pause,” effectively shutting it down. This is a major setback to not only the staff, faculty, and students of the education major, but the Philadelphia community where Drexel resides.
We are calling upon the University to keep the education major.
By keeping the education major, the university…
- Gives back to the community in which Drexel resides, fulfilling its “anchor-institution” mission.
- Strengthens the pipeline of well-prepared teacher candidates to the School District of Philadelphia
- Maintains positive relationships with the surrounding Philadelphia community
This is Drexel’s opportunity to give back to its community. Keep the major.
The Education Major is PROFITABLE.
“The undergraduate programs operate with low marginal cost, generate positive net tuition revenue, support shared faculty workloads, and protect other programs that depend on teacher-education courses.”
Let’s hear from a few voices in the community…
“In the short time that I’ve been a part of the program, I was able to conduct original research on kindergarten readiness as well as create intervention plans to support student literacy. I even had an opportunity to participate in a study abroad in Japan. If not for Drexel’s education program, I wouldn’t be who I am today. And even in that short period of time it was enough to solidify my future ambitions of being a teacher.”
“We are extremely distressed to learn that there is consideration being given to close Drexel’s undergraduate School of Education Programs. Such an act, in our opinion, charts the wrong course and would result in shipwrecking Drexel’s image, both locally and nationally.”
Drexel school of education partners and donors
“My warm interactions with the education program helped prepare me for teaching English abroad, which is my current occupation. I would truly not be able to do the work I am doing now without the help of Drexel’s education major, and losing this program would be a great loss to those who hope to pursue a similar path in the future.”
Watch this video to hear about one elementary education major’s impact on Philadelphia students and families:
“In the past three years, I have served over 150 children in the Drexel Philadelphia area.”
“K-Bridge was not just a nice option. I felt K-Bridge was more of a necessity.”
Watch this video to hear from those students and families who benefit:
What Philadelphia schools have these education majors worked in?
Explore this interactive map to find out!
In his 2026 inaugural address, President Antonio Merlo said this:
“It is through education that we emerge to see the stars.”
Former Drexel president, John Fry said it best in the book: Building Drexel.
The future Drexel that I’ve imagined here represents a bold and complex undertaking. Though it will require the commitment and talents of a generation of faculty, administrators, and students to come to fruition, I am confident that we will rise to the challenge. But perhaps the most important measure of Drexel’s quest for educational excellence and economic leadership is whether this progress will be shared by all of our Philadelphia neighbors and colleagues.
The neighborhoods around Drexel’s campus are beset today by generational poverty exacerbated by economic inequality. If we want to honor our founder’s vision, Drexel cannot be an island of privilege surrounded by privation. We must build a better city alongside community partners with whom we share a love of Philadelphia and a commitment to vital streets where families thrive and opportunity abounds. Both education and economic development are roads to prosperity—we must travel those roads together with our neighbors, if we want to make University City a new center of gravity for innovation. That is how an anchor institution fulfills its purpose.