Valarie E. Swain-Cade McCoullum

Dr. Valarie E. Swain-Cade McCoullum is the Provost’s Distinguished Senior Fellow and Vice Provost for Student Engagement at the University of Pennsylvania’s Graduate School of Education (Penn GSE). A lifelong advocate for education equity, she has served at Penn since 1977, holding roles such as Vice Provost for University Life, Interim President of Cheyney University, and Faculty Director of Du Bois College House. Her current responsibilities include overseeing Penn’s K-12 to graduate-level pipeline programs, enhancing student engagement initiatives, and collaborating with Philadelphia schools to improve college readiness. She teaches two courses annually at Penn GSE, focusing on educational leadership resiliency.

Her research and leadership center on college access, particularly through programs like the Penn Rising Senior Summer Academy (PennRSSA), which supports Philadelphia high school seniors during pandemic-related disruptions. This initiative emphasizes academic preparation, family engagement, and postsecondary transition support.

Dr. Swain-Cade McCoullum’s career spans education administration, policy, and teaching in Philadelphia and Camden schools. She has championed pipeline programs, space allocation strategies, and campus initiatives to elevate student success. Her work integrates academic rigor with community partnerships to address systemic inequities in education.