First Generation Students

Providing a ‘LIFT’ to first-generation med students

All new students face challenges in the transition to college, but for first-generation, low-income (FGLI) students, it’s a whole new world. Providing a community for these students helps counter feelings of isolation and the “impostor” syndrome that FGLI students may experience.

Penn Today Staff

The Class of 2023 moves in

On Aug. 21, the newest cohort of Quakers arrived on campus. Of all 2,400 incoming first-year students, nearly one-third arrived for Penn’s official Move-In day.

Tina Rodia

Talon Bazille Ducheneaux is at home with Natives at Penn

For 25 years, Penn’s small Native American community has tried to grow its presence on campus, through powwows, Ivy League conferences, and student and faculty outreach. But trying to shed the “feeling of being invisible” has been a struggle.

Penn Today Staff

Two undergrads named Truman Scholars

Louis Lin and Ángel Ortiz-Siberón, have received Harry S. Truman Scholarships, a merit-based award of as much as $30,000 for graduate or professional school to prepare for careers in government or public service.

Louisa Shepard , Aaron Olson

Podcast series charts a path for Latin Americans in science

Concerned about the scarcity of Latin Americans in scientific careers, doctoral students Kevin Alicea-Torres and Enrique Lin-Shiao took action to prime the pump. On their Spanish-language podcast, “Caminos en Ciencia,” they chat with Latinx scientists who discuss their career paths and provide advice for young scientists-to-be.

Katherine Unger Baillie

A celebration as thank-you note

The Fall Scholarship Celebration brings together donors to undergraduate financial aid with their scholarship recipients every year to build connections with the students that their philanthropy supports.

Tina Rodia



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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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