Metro Philadelphia Education Power Players

As Temple University’s 12th president, Dr. Jason Wingard is a leading academic and executive specializing in the areas of organizational strategy, leadership development, and the future of work. His experience spans higher education and business, having previously held leadership positions at Goldman Sachs, Columbia University, and the Wharton School, among other leading organizations. His latest book, The College Devaluation Crisis: Market Disruption, Diminishing ROI, and an Alternative Future of Learning, was published in August 2022.

What is something you have learned from your students?
Our students have taught me that their generation refuses to be complacent or give in to the status quo. They want to see positive change, and not in small increments, but in large leaps signifying real advancements. They remind me that my role is to use the mission of education to transform lives, ensure that graduates are prepared with the skills needed to innovate and change the status quo, and build a network of individuals that will collaborate to make new discoveries and empower communities.

What was your favorite moment or experience in your own education? 
My time at Stanford was and continues to be an experience that I look back on with great nostalgia. Aside from being the place where my wife and I met, and the place where I matured as a Division I athlete, it was a place where I was challenged more than I had ever been up to that point. It was harder in the classroom and on the field. It taught me resilience and showed me what I am capable of.

What conditions do you think are necessary for a safe and effective learning environment?
Students need to be systematically supported to best position them to excel. At Temple, we strive for excellence that ensures best-in-class teaching and learning. We aim to do this by continually updating the curriculum to reflect current job market demands, thus allowing students to focus on outcomes and a return on their investment in higher education. We also focus on ensuring the safety and well-being of students, which is essential to intellectual and professional growth, and creating an accessible and inclusive environment that allows for differences and fruitful, bold discussion.

How do we ensure those without privilege have equal access to quality education and opportunity?
A university’s job goes beyond students, faculty, and staff. A university is based in communities that are fundamental to the life and identity of its campus, including those without the same access to education and opportunity as others. Engaging these communities should be a high priority for universities, particularly when they are neighbors. This can be through educational programs and scholarships, job training programs, community development initiatives, and other avenues that provide opportunity.

Meg Wise joined the Philadelphia Outward Bound School as executive director in 2018. Meg moved to Philadelphia to attend graduate school at the University of Pennsylvania. After completing a PhD in Comparative Literature, her love for the city and passion for civic investment drew her to the nonprofit sector. She’s held leadership positions at several nonprofit organizations for 20 years, and the Philadelphia Outward Bound School draws on her strong background as an educator and fundraiser to fulfill their mission and promote experiential education opportunities, including at its new home, The Discovery Center.

What is something you have learned from your students?
A core belief at POBS is that everyone has more in them than they know. Our courses are designed to help students discover their inner strengths and abilities. It’s exciting to watch them negotiate our challenge elements, which can be pretty scary. Often, confident, boisterous students proclaim success before they even begin and then the dynamic shifts and shyer, quieter students thrive as those who were so outwardly confident struggle. This is a powerful experience for students and for educators who accompany them and see the amazing talents of those they may have overlooked in their classrooms come to light.

What was your favorite moment or experience in your own education? 
I researched and wrote about my ancestors in Arizona for an essay contest in the seventh grade. They announced three finalists–me, very shy and full of self-doubt, and two others who were so smart and confident. I was terrified to even go to the ceremony and was happy assuming I’d won third place. I couldn’t process that I had won when they announced my name, and I’ve never forgotten how empowering it was at that age to be seen and feel validated. If I hadn’t had that experience I may not have followed this career path. 

What conditions do you think are necessary for a safe and effective learning environment?
We’re in a moment when young people are stressed out by the many things happening around us, from the pandemic to politics to the economy. Educators need to see and recognize how important social-emotional learning is for young people. We need to meet kids where they are and create spaces where they are valued and feel a sense of belonging. POBS programs are geared to help young people connect with each other. Practicing this connectivity in a safe environment can help prepare them for whatever life may throw at them.

How do we ensure those without privilege have equal access to quality education and opportunity?
There are lots of Outward Bound schools across the globe, but POBS is pretty unique, since it was founded to serve kids living in Philadelphia, especially those in public schools. We are committed to eliminating barriers to our programs and we rely on philanthropy to do so. To guarantee equity in education, society and policymakers will need to focus on our young people and invest deeply–in ways we never have–in their success.

Sara L. Woods, Esq., serves as president and CEO of Philadelphia Futures, and will become the co-president of the merged organization with Steppingstone Scholars. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Penn State University, and a JD and master’s degree in Public Administration from Villanova University. She served as an adjunct professor at Villanova University School of Law for 13 years, where she created and taught a public interest lawyering course. Sara previously served as executive director of Philadelphia VIP.

What is something you have learned from your students?
Our students have taught me the value of perseverance, resilience, and the willingness to ask for help. I am in awe of their grit and determination, particularly over these past few years. They are committed to their own success and they inspire me every day. Because of them, I want Philadelphia, and the systems that support our students, to be their very best. They deserve our best.

What was your favorite moment or experience in your own education? 
I took a Women’s Studies course during my freshman year at Penn State. It changed my college and career trajectory, and I am grateful to Professor Donna Hughes for that experience.

What conditions do you think are necessary for a safe and effective learning environment?
Students deserve access and opportunity to places and systems where they feel safe and that they belong. Philadelphia Futures and Steppingstone Scholars are merging to create one of the most dynamic, expansive, and trusted educational nonprofits in Philadelphia, where students will have access to transformative college and career advising and enrichment. At scale, we can push the systems that serve our students, including our schools, to ensure this type of learning environment.

How do we ensure those without privilege have equal access to quality education and opportunity?
Creating partnerships and community is the foundation of our collective success. We cannot do this alone. At our merged organization, Philadelphia Futures and Steppingstone Scholars, we are committed to ensuring all Philadelphia students graduate high school with pathways to economic mobility through college and workforce success. The new entity will be the preeminent organization in the city partnering with schools, colleges, and businesses to provide real pathways for students from low-income and underserved communities.

President and CEO David Yager joined the University of the Arts in 2016 as the fourth president. An accomplished visual artist, photographer, and designer, David also has an extensive background as an academic researcher utilizing design to improve the healthcare space, as an entrepreneur, and as a business executive. Through his guidance, the University of the Arts has undertaken significant campus construction projects and launched critical new programs, including the nation’s first PhD in Creativity and an international master’s degree in Dance. 

What is something you have learned from your students?
Our students continually prove that they are deeply creative and passionate about certain practices, ideas, and issues. In recognizing that, I find that a critical part of my role is serving as an attentive and patient listener who can explore and unpack those convictions while also gently encouraging them to consider new ideas and even possibly embrace differing viewpoints. I am certainly not here to change their minds, but rather to provide them with more material to think about and reflect upon as they grow, change, and explore our world as artists.

What was your favorite moment or experience in your own education?
Throughout my education, I was fortunate to have built and maintained strong relationships with brilliant faculty members who became mentors and later, close friends. In taking me under their wing, their guidance expanded my horizons by transporting me to new places and presenting me with experiences and concepts that I may have never discovered on my own. Their support and instruction thoroughly shaped the direction of my artistic practice and my career. It is always heartening when I see UArts faculty members building similar relationships with their students; that’s what our small classes and focused studio settings are all about.

What conditions do you think are necessary for a safe and effective learning environment?
As a school committed to both performing and visual arts, freedom of speech is critical to our success and an incredibly important component of a quality education. The ability to freely express yourself underpins the very nature of creativity, and, as an artist, that freedom to explore must not be stifled or constrained in any way. Authenticity and individuality are critical to our artists’ growth and development. It is disappointing to see such freedoms eroded in certain environments across our nation, but UArts is committed to protecting it and ensuring it remains a foundational element of our DNA.

How do we ensure those without privilege have equal access to quality education and opportunity?
To level the playing field, we need to ensure that all of our students feel safe and supported. To do so, we need to ensure equitable access to quality housing and food as well as support for any financial, emotional, or academic issues students may face. It’s an important part of my job to make sure these concerns are resolved because it is very difficult—if not impossible—to learn at a high level when left unaddressed.