Beverly Coleman

Senior Vice President for Government, Community and Public Affairs Kenneth Lawrence, Jr. has announced the appointment of Beverly Coleman as assistant vice president for community relations and economic development.

In the newly created position, Coleman will develop and implement programs that strengthen Temple’s relationships at the neighborhood and city level, and enhance the university’s role as a contributor to the civic and economic success of the community.

“As one of the region’s largest employers and developers of the Commonwealth’s economic capital, Temple remains dedicated to building upon our relationships in the community, and contributing to the revitalization of North Philadelphia,” said Lawrence. “Beverly Coleman brings a wealth of knowledge and experience which will ensure a mutually beneficial future for our neighbors and Temple University. I am greatly pleased to welcome her to Temple, and look forward to working with her to support our neighbors.”

Coleman has spent more than two decades working to reinvigorate neighborhoods throughout the Philadelphia area. She formerly served as director of Urban Ventures Group, a Philadelphia-based consulting firm that provides support to organizations involved in neighborhood revitalization. Before working with Urban Ventures Group, Coleman was executive director of NeighborhoodsNow, an organization that works to bring together private, philanthropic and public agencies to increase the quality of life in neglected urban communities. She also worked previously for the Pew Charitable Trusts and a number of community economic development organizations.

“I’m enormously excited to have the opportunity to continue Temple’s long tradition of working with and in the community, building relationships with our neighbors,” said Coleman, who also serves on the boards of SEPTA, Art Reach, and the Samuel Fels Foundation.

Coleman attended the University of Pennsylvania where she earned both a Masters of Arts degree in Government Administration and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Urban Studies. She currently resides in Center City Philadelphia.