Welcome to campus, Dragons.
I am thrilled to welcome all new and returning students to campus this fall. For those who have been here over the summer, I’ve had the pleasure of meeting many of you on my walks around campus. Your energy and enthusiasm give me so much hope for the future, and I want you to know that your success here at Drexel and beyond is my top priority. One of my core commitments as president is to ensure a positive and enriching student experience for every Dragon. Everything we do at Drexel from academics and co-op to campus life and community engagement is designed to support your growth, well-being and achievement. I look forward to meeting many more of you in the weeks ahead. Welcome, and let’s make it a great year.
I still remember my first days of college as if they were yesterday. That perfect blend of excitement, nerves and curiosity about what lay ahead. As a first-generation college student, it didn’t take long for me to understand the impact of higher education.
I began my journey at Bocconi University in Milan, not far from the working-class town where I grew up. Alongside my small cohort in the Economic and Social Sciences program, I dove into courses in math, statistics, philosophy, sociology and political science — absorbing everything I could and learning how to connect ideas across disciplines. I was hooked.
My professors encouraged me to pursue a career in academia, which led me to New York University for my Ph.D. in economics, supported by a generous scholarship. Four years later, degree in hand, I applied to more than 70 jobs around the world. I landed at the University of Minnesota, where I was fortunate (albeit quite intimidated) to work alongside brilliant colleagues — five of whom would go on to win Nobel Prizes.
From there, my path took me to institutions across the country, including Rice University in Houston and the University of Pennsylvania here in West Philadelphia. I have served as a professor, scholar, chair, director and dean, as well as a water polo coach, continuing to fuse fields, just as I did as an undergraduate. Throughout it all, I have always kept close to heart my early professors’ encouragement, and I have in turn prioritized student success as a central focus of all my roles.
Today, I am honored to serve as Drexel’s 16th president. I arrived here through hard work, yes — but also by keeping an open mind and embracing many, many unexpected opportunities.
Looking back, every twist and turn, every serendipitous moment, and every person who helped me along the way led me exactly where I was meant to be. I hope this year brings you great success, real joy and meaningful growth as you continue your own journey. Stay tuned for an email inviting you to my “office hours,” where we can connect more regularly as a group.