First Generation Students

Presidential Ph.D. Fellows are making their mark

Penn Today catches up with doctoral candidates from the $30 million initiative’s inaugural cohort. This upcoming academic year, the program will welcome its third class of fellows.

Lauren Hertzler

Who, What, Why: Jamie-Lee Josselyn

As associate director for recruitment for the Creative Writing Program, Jamie-Lee Josselyn visits high schools across the country to talk with student writers about opportunities at Penn.

Louisa Shepard

1vyG Summit comes to Penn

The annual event will return to campus, featuring panel discussions, keynote speakers, award ceremonies, and networking events, all focused on improving the first-generation, low-income student experience.

Lauren Hertzler

Class of 2026 moves in

New students traveled from near and far Tuesday, settling into College Houses, meeting their roommates, and spending precious moments with family.

Lauren Hertzler



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In the News


Philadelphia Inquirer

Colleges should shoulder the burden of SCOTUS admissions ruling, not students, say Philly college advisers

A new free course at Penn, Applying to College 101, will guide students through the college admissions process in the wake of the Supreme Court’s affirmative action ruling, with remarks from Dean of Admissions Whitney Soule.

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Philadelphia Inquirer

Penn alum gives $18 million to support first-generation college students

Wharton alumnus Scott Shleifer and his wife, Elena Shleifer, have given Penn $18 million to support first-generation and “modest” or “limited-income” students. “This gift will enable our university to foster an ever more welcoming and inclusive learning environment to prepare all Penn students for successful lives,” said President Amy Gutmann.

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Philadelphia Inquirer

Penn student who aged out of foster care wins prestigious Rhodes Scholarship

May graduate Mackenzie Fierceton has been named a Rhodes Scholar, which will allow her to study at Oxford University in England.

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The Washington Post

Bloomberg gift to Hopkins to help middle-income families as well as the poor

Vice President of Finance and Treasurer MaryFrances McCourt spoke about Penn’s endowment for undergraduate financial aid and its support for low-income students.

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CBS News

Bay Area 1st generation college student’s background helping him excel

School of Arts and Sciences senior Victor Arellano was profiled for his summer interning with Motive Power, a San Francisco management consulting firm.

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Diverse: Issues in Higher Education

UPenn provides support services for first-generation and low-income students

Admissions Dean Eric J. Furda and Valarie Swain-Cade McCoullum, vice provost for university life, discussed Penn’s support system for first-generation and low-income students.

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