Widener names assistant dean to build partnerships with Chester

Elizabeth Housholder Named Assistant Dean of Civic Engagement at Widener University

Chester, Pa. – Elizabeth Housholder joined the Widener University staff in November 2011 taking on the brand new roll as assistant dean of civic engagement. Before taking on this role, Housholder was the program director for leadership development at Temple University, founding the university’s Office of Leadership Development in 2009.

Though her career started in communications, interning for a press secretary on Capitol Hill and working as the associate editor of a regional magazine, Housholder’s real passion is working with young adults and fostering their leadership development. She is excited for the opportunity this new position offers, as she has a great passion for civic engagement and leadership development and is eager to support and further the civic mission of the university.

At Widener, Housholder will work to build partnerships within the Widener and Chester community, supporting existing and developing new civic engagement programs, overseeing the Presidential Service Corps/Bonner Leaders and Community Fellows, organizing the new leadership and civic engagement living learning community, and supporting service-learning classes.

“I want to build bridges,” she said. “I am hopeful that by enhancing the curriculum and opportunities in the community we can identify authentic ways to build mutually beneficial relationships with faculty, staff, students, and the Chester community.”

Though she grew up in Kendallville, IN, Housholder now calls Philadelphia home. She remains an adjunct faculty member at Temple University, where she teaches leadership courses in the Department of Strategic Communication. Housholder earned her master’s degree from Miami University in college student personnel and her bachelor’s degree in sociology from Hanover College. A doctorate is next on her list of pursuits.