CRSE Leadership Institute

‍Through a peer-to-peer learning community, leaders from 15 Philadelphia-area colleges and universities met monthly and in-person to:

• Build shared understanding and language around CRSE
• Strengthen institutional leadership for CRSE integration
• Design institution-driven CRSE projects that support systems change

An emerging framework has guided this work, focusing on four interconnected domains: CRSE Theory, CRSE Competencies, CRSE Pedagogy & Practice, and CRSE Systems. This framework keeps students at the center, while recognizing the vital roles of families, educators, schools, and higher education institutions.

Impact goals include:

• Stronger CRSE competency knowledge among leaders and faculty
• Full integration of CRSE competencies into teacher preparation programs
• Increased leadership engagement at the dean and department chair level

Participating institutions in greater Philadelphia include: Arcadia University, Cheyney University, Community College of Philadelphia, Drexel University, East Stroudsburg University, Eastern University, Holy Family University, Kutztown University, La Salle University, Millersville University, Neumann University, Swarthmore College, Temple University, University of Pennsylvania, West Chester University, and Widener University.

What’s Next?

Jeremy Chan-Kraushar, Director of the CRSE Leadership Institute speaks at a CRSE event

The Institute concludes in December 2025 with the end of its initial grant funding. Early findings show strong gains in CRSE knowledge, capacity to lead, and momentum for systems change — as well as a clear need for continued faculty training, professional development, and sustainable resource-sharing networks. Projects from participants can be found on our Case Studies page.
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PEDC is deeply grateful to the William Penn Foundation for its commitment and investment in this work. Their support has made it possible to bring together institutions across southeastern Pennsylvania to align around CRSE, advance equity, and foster more inclusive teacher preparation programs.

As the initially funded Institute comes to a close, watch for a final impact report in 2026 with recommendations to guide the next phase of CRSE implementation in higher education.