The College of Education and Human Development at Temple University will welcome Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle L. Parker as the keynote speaker at this year’s graduation ceremony.

CEHD’s graduation ceremony, to be held Wednesday, May 6 at 2:30 p.m. on Temple University’s Main Campus, will celebrate nearly 340 students earning bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in teaching and learning; policy, organizational and leadership studies; and psychological studies in education.

Parker, inaugurated in 2024 as the 100th mayor of the City of Philadelphia, is the first female mayor of the city. A proud product of Philadelphia public schools, Parker served as a public school teacher, teaching high school English and ESL, before stepping into public office.

She has since served in various elected capacities, including in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives and on the Philadelphia City Council. While in Harrisburg, Parker played an instrumental role in securing emergency funding for the School District of Philadelphia to prevent a citywide school shutdown. Her service focuses largely on public safety, economic development and enhancing Philadelphia neighborhoods.

Having earned her bachelor’s degree in education from Lincoln University and her master’s degree in public administration from the University of Pennsylvania, Parker says it was a high school experience that set her on her path to public service, tracing it back to an internship she held in City Council with Councilwoman Marian B. Tasco.

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Note: The CEHD Graduation is a ticketed event. Those without tickets may view the live stream on the college's YouTube channel.