MPA Grad Honored with CLAS Graduate Alumni Medallion

In recognition of her deep roots in the nonprofit and educational sectors and passion for service to her community, Latesha D. Beasley '14 MPA was honored with the Villanova University College of Liberal Arts and Science Graduate Alumni Medallion at a special celebration at the Inn at Villanova on October 26, 2023. Five CLAS alumni were awarded Alumni Medallions, which are bestowed on individuals who demonstrate a great capacity for creativity, innovation and contribution to the common good. Read more about the Alumni Medallion recipients.

"Latesha Beasley is a proven leader who has dedicated her personal and professional life to social justice and sustainable change," said Emory Woodard, PhD, Dean of CLAS Graduate Studies, at the event. "I am delighted and honored to bestow the Graduate Alumni Medallion on her."

Beasley is currently the Vice President of Operations at Girard College, a full-scholarship boarding school for students from underserved communities. In her role, Beasley directs all administrative, operational, facilities and human resources functions, in addition to partnering with the president on organizational strategy. 

Before joining Girard College this year, she served as Chief of Staff for North10 Philadelphia, a community development and neighborhood revitalization organization that aims to improve the lives of those in the Hunting Park and East Tioga neighborhoods of North Philadelphia. In addition to overseeing the strategic direction of North 10, she served as the Senior Director of Operations and Special Projects for the organization’s Lenfest Center.

Prior to joining North10, Beasley worked as a Recruiting and Staffing Manager for the Camden City School District. In that role, she supported family school staffing, diversity initiatives and compensation research to position the district as a competitive employer and national model for urban education. Beasley was also the district’s Innovation Manager, serving as a liaison to New Jersey’s only Renaissance (district-charter hybrid) schools. She provided strategic support for multi-million-dollar construction projects and operationalized major district initiatives, such as a city-wide enrollment process.

As a champion for children, Beasley also aided the Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Camden County as Interim Executive Director, where she was responsible for increasing the visibility of the program to ensure its sustainability. Under her leadership, the program grew its educational advocacy initiative to advocate for abused neglected children in out-of-home placement and increased the percentage of young people who would receive a CASA volunteer.

Beasley holds a bachelor's degree in Political Science from Rutgers University-New Brunswick and a master's degree in Public Administration (MPA) from Villanova University.

Beasley lives in New Jersey with her husband, Mylan, and daughter, Myla Grace.