A Q&A with Deputy Provost Beth Winkelstein

Are there any past initiatives you’ve implemented that are comparable that come to mind and influence how you’re thinking about this?

I’ve been fortunate to lead several major campus initiatives. Two that stand out as comparable are the launch of Penn First Plus (P1P), and moving all of our teaching and learning online for COVID-19 during spring break in 2020. Both were centered around building a supportive environment where our students can truly thrive. At the heart of P1P was ensuring our students feel a sense of belonging such that they are successful in their educational and co-curricular pursuits. The transition to online learning at the onset of COVID impacted the entire Penn community—faculty, staff, and students. Additionally, I served as interim provost for nearly two years during a presidential transition.

So, I’ve tackled unique and urgent campus challenges that are also important opportunities to become even better versions of Penn. I will also say that serving on the University Task Force on Antisemitism was one of the hardest, and the most meaningful, undertakings I’ve been part of–personally and professionally. Implementation will reap the benefits of the incredible work already accomplished by both the Task Force and Commission; it will be more forward-focused, and we have a critical ingredient that has always served us so well at Penn: the community is engaged and ready to contribute.

The Task Force and Commission reports contained a wide range of directional guidance and actionable recommendations. What is your approach to selecting which recommendations to pursue and prioritizing implementation of those raised from the respective reports?

I believe it’s possible—and necessary—to implement every recommendation from both reports. These groups invested significant time, effort, and care in formulating their guidance, and we need to honor that. This is certainly the message we have received from Dr. Jameson and that support is vital.

There is quite a bit of overlap in the two sets of recommendations, both in specifics and themes, such as the need for greater transparency in policies and amplifying programs on belonging and combating hate. Implementation efforts will bring the reports to life. Some changes, like adjustments to New Student Orientation (NSO), have already been made, while others, like new academic centers and initiatives, will take more time. I’ve committed to reporting progress each semester, but personally, I’m aiming to make tangible advancements every month. My commitment to our community runs deep and as a steward of this initiative, I will focus on driving impactful progress.

Both reports’ recommendations encourage more dialogue and collaboration between Schools and centers. What are some example of how we can accomplish that?

Collaboration is key, and it is a defining strength of Penn. We’re fortunate that Penn is a place that embraces interdisciplinarity and its interconnected Schools, centers, disciplines, and people. Collaboration strengthens our shared mission and leverages the diversity that makes us great. We should be creative and curious as we find ways to hear one another and bring a broad swath of expertise and experience to bear, on an organizational and a personal level. This is how we, as a university community, tackle important challenges.

In what way do you think education and research changes fit into this work?

Education and research advance our mission and bring life to our values, and so of course they play a crucial role in how we implement the recommendations of the two reports. Our research centers are tangible examples of Penn staying current and leading in critical areas. These centers not only respond to today’s most pressing issues, but also create new opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration and real-world impact.

For instance, one of our new centers is the Center for Media, Technology, and Democracy, which addresses urgent global concerns like misinformation and media polarization. By bringing together scholars from fields like data science, AI, law, and communications, the Center exemplifies how Penn leads in cutting-edge research that informs public policy and academic dialogue.

Additionally, I want to highlight the importance of Jewish Studies in our academic portfolio as one of the focus points of the Task Force report. Through the Jewish Studies Program, students engage deeply with historical and contemporary issues through an interdisciplinary lens. 

The centrality of education and scholarship is, of course, far broader and named explicitly and implicitly in both reports, as is the notion that education occurs both in and out of the classroom. Facilitating civil discourse in academic departments and inclusive cultural spaces on our campus, while complementing our community’s views with global perspectives, is core to both reports. For example, the Commission calls out strengths in Middle Eastern Studies, and both reports point to the great work and potential of the SNF Paideia Program, as well as Penn’s global partnerships.

Penn’s centers and programs should continue to reflect our broader mission to create a dynamic and inclusive learning environment that encourages curiosity and practical engagement with the world’s most urgent challenges.

Both reports indicated that defining Penn’s shared values was an important step, as was building upon the idea of what it means to be a Penn citizen. Has there been any progress toward expanding on those ideas?

Defining and asserting Penn’s values is a foundational recommendation from the Task Force. All other recommendations built on our shared values. The Commission took this further, articulating that Penn’s values must be rooted in curiosity, belonging, dignity, engagement, practicality, and service. These values draw from our history and resonate with the challenges we face today. They emphasize open expression and academic freedom as central to building community and fostering difficult conversations.

Dr. Jameson’s recent release of the University Values Statement and the Upholding Academic Independence statement is a clear signal that he and Penn understand the paramount importance of leading with our values. It demonstrates a commitment to enhancing our culture in these areas, and implementation will similarly be guided by our values.

What is your ask to the Penn community?

My ask is simple: Reach out and engage! I’m in constant conversation with student groups, alumni groups, school boards, and other constituencies all across our broad and diverse community. If we’re going to make Penn a better place, it has to be a collective effort. My outreach is not only to share what we’re doing, but also to gather feedback and ideas. Your insights and perspectives continue to inform our approach. We know that the best solutions come from working together, and we want to be as inclusive as possible in shaping the future of Penn.