Julie Schumacher Cohen, assistant vice president for community engagement and government affairs at The University of Scranton, has been recognized as one of the 50 Higher Education Trailblazers by City and State Pennsylvania. This prestigious honor highlights Cohen’s exceptional leadership in fostering community engagement and civic initiatives at the university.
Cohen’s role at Scranton involves overseeing a variety of community and civic initiatives that aim to strengthen the university’s ties with the local community. One of her notable projects was “Scranton’s Story, Our Nation’s Story,” which received a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities. This multi-year project explored themes of history, belonging, identity, community, and democracy through a series of humanities-based programs culminating in a fall 2023 oral history collection.
Through the “Scranton Stories” project, Cohen aimed to give voice to a diverse range of Scranton experiences, bringing together underrepresented narratives to create a new mosaic that connects Scranton to the nation’s ongoing story. This initiative not only celebrates the city’s rich history but also sheds light on the diverse voices and perspectives within the community.
In addition to her work on the “Scranton’s Story” project, Cohen has led other impactful initiatives at the University of Scranton. She coordinated the university’s Living Wage Study, which addresses economic insecurity in Northeastern Pennsylvania from a Catholic social justice perspective. Cohen also chairs the university’s Community-Based Learning Board, which facilitates student engagement in projects that address community needs in areas such as poverty, neighborhood revitalization, and refugee solidarity.
Furthermore, Cohen is actively involved in the University’s Political Dialogue Initiative, which encourages students to engage in reflective and structured discussions on contentious issues such as immigration, guns, elections, and foreign policy. Her commitment to fostering dialogue and understanding on complex issues demonstrates her dedication to promoting civic engagement and social justice within the university community.
Before joining the University of Scranton, Cohen held various roles in cross-cultural and social justice organizations, including serving as the deputy director of Churches for Middle East Peace. She continues to be involved in advocacy work related to Israeli-Palestinian peace and serves on the Catholic Advisory Council of Churches for Middle East Peace.
Cohen’s educational background includes a bachelor’s degree in political studies and English literature from Gordon College, a Master of Public Administration from Villanova University, and she is currently pursuing a political science doctoral degree at Temple University. Her academic achievements, combined with her extensive experience in community engagement and social justice advocacy, make her a trailblazer in higher education and a valuable asset to the University of Scranton.
