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First Generation Students

A virtual Convocation for Penn’s newest students
college hall with lights

A virtual Convocation for Penn’s newest students

Defined by their mission-driven grit and unity as a community, the Class of 2024 is welcomed with open arms—and inspired to ‘make the impossible possible’—during such an unprecedented time.

Lauren Hertzler

Meet the biology major who brought an Iowa caucus to Philadelphia
A group of people talking and laughing in a cluster, with a video camera being held in the top left corner.

Junior Jessica Anderson (center) of Titonka, Iowa, organized an Iowa satellite caucus in Philadelphia, one of more than 90 that took place worldwide. Fourteen people, mostly area college students, participated. 

Meet the biology major who brought an Iowa caucus to Philadelphia

Junior Jessica Anderson organized the satellite event because she wanted to participate in the political process. Politics aside, she’s aiming for a career that combines research and patient care.

Michele W. Berger

Lyndsi Burcham wants students to be financially literate
Woman with glasses sits in a lobby

Lyndsi Burcham in the financial wellness office, located in the Franklin Building.

Lyndsi Burcham wants students to be financially literate

In her role in the Office of Student Financial Services, the recent graduate spearheads a new financial-literacy program that will offer workshops, financial-wellness grants for campus partners and student groups, and monthly lunch-and-learn sessions.

Kristina Linnea García

University of Pennsylvania announces $10M gift from alumni Mindy and Jon Gray to support first generation students from NYC
During a study break, President Amy Gutmann and Jon and Mindy Gray congratulate the first cohort of student scholars in the Penn First Plus program that the Grays’ gift is supporting.

During a study break, President Amy Gutmann and Jon and Mindy Gray congratulate the first cohort of student scholars in the Penn First Plus program that the Grays’ gift is supporting. (Image: Daniel Burke)

University of Pennsylvania announces $10M gift from alumni Mindy and Jon Gray to support first generation students from NYC

The gift from 1992 Penn graduates, Mindy and Jon Gray, supports undergraduate financial aid for students from New York City, and the Penn First Plus program for students who are low income and/or the first in their families to attend college.
Providing a ‘LIFT’ to first-generation med students
Members of LIFT US UP include (from left) Jordan Harris, Michael Perez, Mariam Olujide, Shannon Shipley, Anitra Persaud, and Cheyenne Williams.

Members of LIFT US UP include (from left) Jordan Harris, Michael Perez, Mariam Olujide, Shannon Shipley, Anitra Persaud, and Cheyenne Williams. (Image: Penn Medicine News)

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
amy zhou moves in to the quad

Amy Zhou and her father Yongquan navigate the entrance to Fisher Hassenfeld with a wheeled cart full of belongings.

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.