Interdisciplinary Ceremony
Monday, June 10, 2024
11 a.m.- 12 p.m. ET
Mandell Theater, Creese Student Center
3220 Chestnut Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104
This year, Drexel is offering the option of an Interdisciplinary Ceremony on Monday, June 10 at 11 a.m. ET in Mandell Theater for students whose college & school ceremonies conflict with various religious holidays or observances. Notably, Shavout and Shabbat for our observant Jewish students and Hajj for our observant Islamic students fall during scheduled commencement ceremonies from June 13-15, 2024.
As part of the Commencement RSVP on DrexelOne, students must select "Yes" to the question "Based on the date of my school/college ceremony, I require religious accommodations to participate in commencement" in order to RSVP for the June 10 interdisciplinary ceremony.
Later in May, details will be added to the Arrival section of the site to confirm where and when graduate and guests should arrive.
The Interdisciplinary Ceremony will follow a similar ceremony schedule as all College & School Ceremonies, including featuring a keynote speaker.
Keynote Speaker: Kimberly J. Gholston, MHA, SPHR, CDE
Kimberly (Kim) Gholston serves as Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer at Drexel University. Ms. Gholston is responsible for leading the efforts of the people operations human resources team that includes integrating the core values of the organization into the culture through talent management and establishing the delivery of effective leadership and staff education and development programs. As Drexel’s Chief Diversity Officer, Kim manages a progressive diversity agenda informed by campus stakeholders to shape and lead Drexel’s integration of diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging initiatives and practices to ensure excellence in education, research, and civic engagement along with her team in the Office for Institutional Equity and Inclusive Culture. Her ongoing work to lead Drexel towards becoming an antiracist university is a journey that ultimately provides a culture of equity for all Drexel Dragons and their surrounding community.
Prior to her tenure at Drexel, Kim served in leadership roles at Thomas Jefferson University and Hospitals, where she navigated complex organizational transitions and championed initiatives to promote employee engagement, labor relations, and performance management.
Kim earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Finance from Towson State University and a Master’s degree in Health Administration from the Medical College of Virginia at Virginia Commonwealth University. Kim completed classes at Cornell University’s School of Industrial and Labor Relations earning a certificate in Human Resources Studies and a certificate in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. Kim is also certified as a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) and a Certified Diversity Executive (CDE®).
But beyond her professional accomplishments, Kim's greatest legacy lies in her unwavering commitment to fostering a culture of compassion, empathy, and inclusion in everything she does. Whether she's leading strategic initiatives or mentoring future leaders, Kim's passion for making a difference is truly unparalleled.