Along N. 13th

One of Albright College’s five institutional priorities is to build an inclusive and equitable academic community in which all community members thrive, recognize their full potential, engage meaningfully in institutional life and contribute to the flourishing of others.

All across campus, a range of initiatives are underway including the examination of higher education hiring practices, individual mentoring of students for success in college and life and antiracism training for faculty and staff.

Events that celebrate differences while helping Albrightians to raise their voices are taking place throughout the year. At least monthly, Racial Healing and Reconciliation discussions have targeted topics such as systemic racism in sports history and within public policy making. A series of events have also offered students an open forum to talk about racism in their lives, on campus and around the world.

In April, faculty members Kami Fletcher, Ph.D., and Mark Lomanno, Ph.D., facilitated an inaugural Empowering Albright Voices day, bringing community members together to celebrate Albright’s remarkable diversity. The online symposium offered a full day of workshops, roundtables and research presentations focusing on innovative contributions of Black feminist activists and artistic and scholarly practices as models for more equitable and inclusive lives. Faculty regrouped a day later for a teach-in event to discuss how to incorporate new ideas into coursework.

Jacquelyn S. Fetrow, Ph.D. ’82 was an honoree at the Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania’s (GSEP) 2021 Take the Lead mentorship and fundraising event in April. Through the awards program, high school-aged Girl Scouts shadow inspiring women leaders to gain valuable insight into their careers and help them jump-start professional networks.

“Our 2021 Take the Lead honorees have changed the world for the better, and serve as incredible role models for our girls,” said Kim E. Fraites-Dow, chief executive officer of GSEP.

GSEP serves close to 40,000 girls in partnership with more than 15,000 volunteers. And 80% of women in U.S. leadership and executive roles, as well as 70% of women in the U.S. Congress, are Girl Scout alumnae.

“As a former Girl Scout, I remember the inspiring, influential female role models whose courage, character and confidence I aspired to,” said Fetrow.

“These women, some of whom I met as an undergraduate student at Albright College, made a difference in my life and in my life’s journey. They helped me to become the leader I am today. I could not be more delighted and honored to serve in that role for today’s young women.”

History remains a strong major at Albright, with first-year students regularly enrolled at high levels.

Many alumni authors — regardless of major — have cited the English and creative writing program as an Albright strength.

In the past eight years, Albright theatre has won more than a dozen national awards in the Kennedy Center Collegiate Film Festival — the equivalent of winning the NCAA basketball tournament.

Albright’s pre-health programs have always been strong. Today, biology remains our most enrolled major for first-year students. And more than 90% of Albright students who apply to medical school are accepted!

Albright’s popular fashion program is regularly ranked nationally. Its alumni can be found in every facet of the field, from high-end design to merchandising, sustainability, performance and marketing.

Qualified Albright seniors, and alumni who graduated within the last five years, may now receive preferred admission to several of Duquesne master’s programs, including the Professional Master in Business Administration (MBA), or MBA in sustainable business practices; Master of Science (MS) in accountancy; MS analytics and information management; or MS supply chain management. In addition, Albright students admitted to pursue Duquesne’s one year MBA in sustainable business practices will benefit from scholarships of at least $5,000.