Dear Colleagues and Students,   

Over the past year, we have worked to reimagine how we think about community engagement and the many ways in which we serve the City of Philadelphia and partner with its nonprofit and civic organizations. We created a new Office of Community Impact and Civic Engagement and launched initiatives like Owls for Philly to further bolster these efforts. 

Today, we are proud to share the next step of this process as we launch Temple On Board, a new universitywide professional development program that prepares and helps place Temple faculty, staff, and graduate and professional students to serve effectively on community, nonprofit and advisory boards. 

At Temple, we often speak about the talent and expertise of our faculty, staff and students; it is part of what makes this university so great. We can think of no better way to maximize that expertise than by empowering these talented individuals to lend their voices to help advance conversations on important civic issues.  

This is an initiative that is driven by Temple’s important role as Philadelphia’s public research university. Through our community members’ board service, we will gain a better understanding of both the city and its organizations’ needs, and we can be a part of developing important solutions.    

As part of Temple On Board’s seven-session hybrid curriculum, participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of board leadership, governance and community impact. The inaugural spring 2026 cohort of up to 30 participants will engage with local nonprofit partners, explore pathways to service, and develop the knowledge and confidence to make meaningful contributions in the boardroom. Upon completion, participants will earn a Temple On Board certificate of nonprofit board readiness and a digital LinkedIn credential recognizing their achievement. You will then be connected to opportunities to explore board service.   

Applications are open now and due by Friday, Dec. 19, 2025, at 5 p.m. There is no cost to participate. To apply, please visit this link. For additional information, please contact the Office of Community Impact and Civic Engagement at [click-for-email]. 

Temple’s strength has always been its deep connection to Philadelphia and its citizens. Temple On Board builds on this proud tradition, equipping our community with the skills to lead with integrity, serve with purpose and advance the common good. The result will be a stronger Temple and a stronger Philadelphia.   

Sincerely, 

John Fry 
President   

Valerie I. Harrison 
Vice President for Community Impact and Civic Engagement