Charlene Drew Jarvis is a native Washingtonian, President of Southeastern University, a scientist and a former elected official. She is a nationally-recognized speaker on legislative policy, health science and economic issues.
Dr. Jarvis was one of the longest-serving members of the Council of the District of Columbia. In that capacity she served as Chairman Pro Tempore of the Council, and Chair of the Committee on Economic Development. She has also served as the Chair of the Board of the Washington Metropolitan Council of Governments.
In July 1996, Dr. Jarvis was appointed the ninth President of Southeastern University and is the first woman to hold this position. "Educating Technology, Business and Government Leaders for the Region and the World" is the theme for her administration. President Jarvis believes that government, business, and higher education must work together in order to build a stronger economy.
In 2007, she began serving as chairman of the Consortium of Universities of the Washington Metropolitan Area. Southeastern is one of the 15 member institutions. Dr Jarvis has also returned to the classroom, teaching a graduate seminar at Southeastern in public administration, focusing on the District of Columbia government.
Dr. Jarvis earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Oberlin College, her Master of Science degree from Howard University and her Doctor of Philosophy degree in Neuropsychology from the University of Maryland. She conducted brain research at the Institute of Mental Health.
Dr. Jarvis's legacy as the daughter of Dr. Charles R. Drew, the noted blood bank pioneer, has given her special perspective as an advocate for science and health education. Dr. Jarvis has served on the boards of, or as an advisor to: The National Institute of Mental Health, The Washington Chapter of the American Red Cross, The Breast Cancer Task Force of the Department of Health and Human Services, The Women's Health Initiative of the National Institutes of Health, The National Museum of Health and the National Bone Marrow Program.
Dr. Jarvis has two grown sons, Ernest and Peter, and two grandsons, Ernest Drew Jarvis II and Jacob Drew Jarvis. Her daughter-in-law, Debbi Jarvis, is the VP of communications for Pepco.
Professional Achievements
Dr. Jarvis is a member of the Executive Committee of the Federal City Council; a former chair of the District of Columbia Chamber of Commerce; a former Chair of the Board of Trade's Community Business Partnership; is a member of the Board of Directors of the BB&T Regional Bank, Washington Office; former Chair of the Board of Directors of the Washington Convention and Tourism Corporation; a former member of the Board of Directors of the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities.
She serves on the boards of the District of Columbia Education Compact; the Community Foundation of the National Capital Region; the Hillwood Museum; Studio Theatre; and the National Committee on Economic Development (CED).
As the President of Southeastern University she has strengthened the academic curriculum in order to produce graduates who are critical thinkers with exit competencies to meet challenges in today's marketplace and in society.
As Chair of the Committee on Economic Development, Dr. Jarvis spearheaded efforts to increase revenues for the District of Columbia to answer the city's financial crisis. She introduced legislation which paved the way for the new Verizon Center and the new Convention Center, both of which created jobs, and increased business and tax revenues for the District of Columbia.
Dr. Jarvis has received more than 100 awards for her professional and civic accomplishments and her outstanding leadership, including an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree from Amherst College and an honorary Doctor of Public Service degree from George Washington University. Dr. Jarvis was named one of the "1999 Washingtonians of the Year" by Washingtonian Magazine and in 2007 was named one of the most powerful people in Washington by the same magazine. The Women's Business Center, Inc. honored her for her outstanding support of women-owned businesses over the years.
