A first-generation college student, McCormick has devoted her career to education, advocacy, and community service. The positions she has held across several well-known universities, including the Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, exhibit a demonstrated care for the relationship between school and community, for creating professional pipelines from educational practices to an ever-changing workforce, and for establishing space for underserved populations to thrive. Cecilia McCormick previously worked as Vice Provost for Academic Strategy and Special Programs, Chief of Staff for Academic Affairs, and the Associate Provost for Strategic and Academic Initiatives at Thomas Jefferson University, where she was integral to the school’s historic merger with Philadelphia University — one that brought together the health sciences and the world of art and design to create entrepreneurial opportunities with a focus on skills and workforce development for underserved populations. Prior to that, McCormick served as Chief of Staff to the Senior Vice President for Finance and Administration and Chief Operating Officer. She also has held myriad positions at Widener University, including serving as Executive Director in the Office of the President and a member of the President’s Executive Team. McCormick received her bachelor’s degree in management/marketing from Saint Joseph’s University, her Paralegal Certificate from Widener University, a Juris Doctorate from Delaware Law School, Widener University, and post-doctoral education from the Institute of Educational Management at Harvard University, Graduate School of Education. Harvard Presidents Institute and the Council of Independent Colleges New President Institute. She and her husband, John, have three sons, three daughters-in-law, and three grandchildren