In January, Beth Specker joined Arcadia University’s School of Continuing Studies (CAPE) in the role of Director of Educational Initiatives. In this role,Beth will develop innovative CAPE programs to meet the needs of today’s educators, in collaboration with the Education Department. Her primary role will be to establish connections with school districts, charter schools and independent schools in the King of Prussia area and beyond, and to explore, develop, and direct grant opportunities with these institutions.

Beth’s background has prepared her well for her new position. Most recently, Beth was Director of Civics Education with the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, where her focus was on establishing professional development opportunities for teachers, and the development of civics curriculum for elementary students. In addition, she directed operations and integration of the Pennsylvania Coalition of Representative Democracy into National Constitutional Center Educational offerings. She also worked with the Philadelphia Bar Association on the ACE program (Advancing Civics Education). Before joining the National Constitution Center staff, Beth served as Chief of Staff to the First Lady of Pennsylvania, Judge Marjorie Rendell. Beth, as Chief of Staff, directed the operation of Judge Rendell’s civics’ initiative to restore the civic mission of schools. This this capacity, she worked with schools across the Commonwealth and nationally with organizations such as iCivics, the American Bar Association and the Campaign for the Civic Mission of Schools. Beth also served as the Vice President of Education for 17 years at the Freedoms Foundation, where she designed and conducted 45 youth conferences a year for students from across the United States and abroad, and ran graduate credit programs for teachers.

Beth believes her unique perspective as someone with experience in nonprofits and well as government, as well as the network of teachers and schools with whom she has collaborated, will help increase Arcadia’s outreach efforts on behalf of CAPE and the Department of Education. “I look forward to talking with schools and teachers about how Arcadia can help meet their needs for professional development,” Beth notes.

Beth holds a B.A. in Psychology from Villanova University and an M.A. in Non Profit Management from Eastern University.