ShaVon Savage, M.S.Ed., J.D., current assistant superintendent of the Cheltenham School District and a 2000 graduate of Penn State Abington, will deliver the commencement address at her alma mater to the class of 2025 on May 9.

Savage began her assistant superintendent role last summer after serving as a teacher, school improvement coordinator, education attorney, principal and district level administrator in the Lower Merion and Philadelphia school districts. Her full bio is available on the Abington website.

The university published her thoughts in advance of her keynote address:

Q: Why did you choose Penn State Abington?  

Savage: I could stay at home with my parents and attend school, and I also really liked the internship opportunities. I had one with a bank and one with an investment firm. I enjoyed the small campus environment, my professors actually knew me, and I could take multiple classes with the same professors. I got great advice and found adults that were interested in my trajectory and who encouraged me to explore my options.   

Q: What experiences as an undergraduate were the most impactful?  

Savage: I have a minor in English and truly believe that my classes at Abington prepared me for the writing that was required of me as a law student and lawyer. I had a creative writing class, and the professor encouraged me to explore my voice and convey messages to the audience in succinct but creative ways. My public speaking seminar prepared me for the time I would spend in front of audiences. 

I met some great students who I was able to hang out with and who served as a support network. 

Q: How did campus mentors support you?  

Savage: I would say my most impactful mentors were my business professors. Professor Steve McMillan in particular was a favorite of mine. He always had great advice and was able to steer me in the right direction with honest feedback and a listening ear. He helped to clearly lay out a path to graduation for me and wrote recommendations for me as I pursued employment.  

Q: How did your path change from a business degree to a career education? 

Savage: I became a teacher after graduation because one of my professors shared an application for a teaching intern program and thought I’d be good at it. I loved it.  He knew something about me I didn’t quite see in myself at that point.  

I think I delved into education so wholeheartedly because I saw the impact a good teacher or professor could have on a student’s experience as a learner and on how they view themselves. In my own practice as an educator, lawyer and administrator, I attempt to emulate that every day and center the student in everything I do.     

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