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First Generation Students

Celebrating community at Penn’s 267th Commencement
students cheer at the end of commencement

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Celebrating community at Penn’s 267th Commencement

Thousands of students and their biggest supporters—those who President Liz Magill described as “force multipliers”—flooded campus Monday for a sunny ceremony for the ages.
A conversation with Mark Dingfield, VP for finance and treasurer
Mark Dingfield

Mark Dingfield, vice president for finance and treasurer in Penn’s Division of Finance.

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A conversation with Mark Dingfield, VP for finance and treasurer

Mark Dingfield, who began his role as vice president for finance and treasurer in October, discusses undergraduate financial aid, the University’s finances, and financial wellness.
Who, What, Why: Jamie-Lee Josselyn
Jamie-Lee Josselyn sitting in a room full of chairs

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. A Penn alum, she is also the founder and director of the Summer Workshop for Young Writers at the Kelly Writers House. 

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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
Two students, Mark Lo and Liz Magill talking while seated at a table.

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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
penn family moves into quad with suitcases

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

Du Bois College House celebrates 50 years
interim president wendell pritchett greets students

First-year students Mataeya McFadden, Sarah Oburu, and Danielle Uter chat with Interim President Wendell Pritchett at the Du Bois College House 50th anniversary kickoff. 

Du Bois College House celebrates 50 years

For five decades, the living and learning space has served as a home away from home for students, and the community has evolved into a family.

Lauren Hertzler

Hostility among friends can come from surprising places
Two friends walking outside with backpacks and books.

Hostility among friends can come from surprising places

Sherelle Ferguson, and Annette Lareau, Edmund J. and Louise W. Kahn Professor in the Social Sciences, find that “hostile ignorance” can come from surprising places.

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Inspiring people, place, and purpose
penn president amy gutmann

Inspiring people, place, and purpose

Penn President Amy Gutmann’s record tenure of nearly 18 years is the University’s most transformative.

Penn Today Staff

Mentor support for the first-generation college experience
two people standing outside back to back smiling at camera

Senior Rachel Swym (left) was a summer intern with alumna Leanne Huebner at the educational nonprofit Minds Matter, and they have continued their connection ever since.

Mentor support for the first-generation college experience

Three decades apart, senior Rachel Swym and alumna Leanne Huebner found a common bond in their rural backgrounds and first-generation, highly aided college experience.

Louisa Shepard