In the summer of 2023, Monika Williams Shealey started her tenure as the first woman dean in the 105-year history of Temple University’s College of Education and Human Development (CEHD). 

Since then, Dean Shealey has introduced a new mission, vision and values for the college. Under her leadership, the school launched a new master’s degree in urban education and policy. CEHD has also reaffirmed its continued commitment to the city of Philadelphia and the School District of Philadelphia. 

It has been an impressive two years for the dean, and on Thursday, May 15, her accomplishments were recognized during the Philadelphia Tribune’s Women of Achievement Luncheon held at the Union League of Philadelphia. Held annually, the ceremony celebrates and recognizes key female leaders from across the region. 

“I’m honored to be acknowledged for leading our college during a time when providing access to an outstanding education is becoming elusive. We are committed to providing solutions to some of the most vexing issues facing public education,” Shealey said. 

Nearly 200 leaders and members of the Philadelphia community attended the luncheon, which was sponsored by the Philadelphia Tribune, the oldest continuously published African American newspaper in the country. The Tribune shares a key distinction with Temple University in that it was also founded in 1884 and celebrated its 140th birthday just one year ago. 

In addition to Shealey, other Temple representatives honored in recent years include Diane Richardson (2024), head coach of the women’s basketball team; Diane Turner (2023), curator of the Charles L. Blockson Afro-American Collection; and Nikki Franke (2022), former women’s fencing coach. 

During this year’s ceremony, several other Philadelphia leaders were honored alongside Shealey, including Jenice Forde, chair of emergency medicine, Pennsylvania Hospital at Penn Medicine; Dixie P. James, president of Jefferson Central Region at Jefferson Health; Carniesha Kwashie, director of corporate community impact at PECO; Precious Mines, executive director at College Possible; Emmanuella R. Myrthil, chief culture and social impact officer at SEPTA; Nicole Pender, director of government and regulatory affairs at Comcast Freedom Region; Jenise Rabb Fitzgerald, vice president and relationship manager, Metro PA/NJ at TD Bank; and Shabana Walker, vice president of engineering at Comcast Freedom Region.