Sherisse Laud-Hammond became director of the Penn Women’s Center (PWC) after a national search. A 2005 alumna of the School of Social Policy and Practice (SP2) and former associate director of admissions in SP2, she returned to Penn on January 16 after directing Temple University’s Master of Social Work Office of Advising and Professional Development. 

“We are excited to welcome Sherisse to the Penn Women’s Center,” said Vice Provost for University Life Valarie Swain-Cade McCoullum. “She impressed students, staff and faculty with her deep knowledge of Penn. We especially appreciate her commitment to positioning the PWC as a celebratory and welcoming hub dedicated to gender equity and inclusivity.”

“A women’s center should be a safe space, a brave space, an educational space and a practical space—where everyone is engaged and present,” added Ms. Laud-Hammond, who utilized the PWC and Makuu: Black Cultural Center as a graduate student. “Remaining committed to efforts that ensure progressive change for women, from grassroots to global levels, is paramount.”

At Temple since 2015, she counseled more than 350 master’s students annually in personal, academic and professional development. A social worker by training, she is trained in individual and group counseling. Ms. Laud-Hammond has facilitated parenting education for more than a decade. She also teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in social work theory and practice.

At Penn, Ms. Laud-Hammond spent five years recruiting and advising students in Penn’s MSW program, from 2005-2010. Prior to higher education, she worked in private and nonprofit social services organizations. She is a board member of Inspiring Minds Philadelphia, a nonprofit whose mission is to engage, inspire and empower youth to reach their full potential through education.

Ms. Laud-Hammond earned her MSW and won the Social Change Award from Penn. She completed her bachelor’s in sociology from Pennsylvania State University. A Philadelphia native, she is a longtime member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated.