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Higher Education

Tom Murphy is leading Operational Transformation at Penn. Here’s his approach
Tom Murphy posing on Locust Walk.

Tom Murphy, senior vice president and chief transformation officer, is chair of the Operational Transformation working group for Penn Forward, Penn’s strategic initiative to reshape how the University fulfills its missions of education, research, and service in a rapidly changing world.

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Tom Murphy is leading Operational Transformation at Penn. Here’s his approach

In a Q&A, Tom Murphy, who leads the Operational Transformation working group, one of six Penn Forward teams, discusses his approach to leading change in non-academic areas of Penn.

5 min. read

Penn Engineering receives $11M from the A. James & Alice B. Clark Foundation to expand Clark Scholars Program
(bottom row, left to right) Tina Lee, Amehja Williams, and Hubery Pai; (second row) Amaris Chen and Ross Richard; (third row) Darren Lin, Minghui Zhang, Emily Jiang, and Frankie Lin; (fourth row) Shawn Edbert, Henry Westfall, and Noah Hidalgo; (fifth row) Matas Bujanauskas and Elias Chavez.

Penn Clark Scholars and peer mentors: (bottom row, left to right) Tina Lee, Amehja Williams, and Hubery Pai; (second row) Amaris Chen and Ross Richard; (third row) Darren Lin, Minghui Zhang, Emily Jiang, and Frankie Lin; (fourth row) Shawn Edbert, Henry Westfall, and Noah Hidalgo; (fifth row) Matas Bujanauskas and Elias Chavez.

(Image: Courtesy of Penn Engineering)

Penn Engineering receives $11M from the A. James & Alice B. Clark Foundation to expand Clark Scholars Program

The funds will strengthen scholarships, create an annual Philanthropy Challenge, establish an entrepreneurship concentration, and support summer internships for future engineering leaders.

Holly Wojcik

2 min. read

Russell Composto talks leading Penn Forward’s Undergraduate Education and Innovation working group
Russell Composto at a conference table gesticulating with undergraduates.

Russell Composto, chair of the Penn Forward Undergraduate Education and Innovation working group and vice provost for undergraduate education, seated with undergraduates on Oct. 13, 2025, inside College Hall. 

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Russell Composto talks leading Penn Forward’s Undergraduate Education and Innovation working group

In a Q&A, Russell Composto, vice provost for undergraduate education and chair of Penn Forward’s Undergraduate Education and Innovation working group, talks about the guiding principles of the team and what it means to think boldly about the future of the undergraduate experience at Penn.

8 min. read

Michael Weisberg on building community at Penn
Michael Weisberg.

Michael Weisberg has been chosen lead the continued implementation of recommendations from the 2024 University Task Force on Antisemitism and the Presidential Commission on Countering Hate and Building Community.

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Michael Weisberg on building community at Penn

Michael Weisberg, a distinguished professor of philosophy, has been appointed to lead the continued implementation of recommendations from the Task Force on Antisemitism and the Commission on Countering Hate and Building Community.

7 min. read

From framework to actions: Provost John L. Jackson Jr. talks Penn Forward
John Jackson rests his hands on a table in front of a bookcase.

Provost John L. Jackson Jr.

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From framework to actions: Provost John L. Jackson Jr. talks Penn Forward

In a Q&A, Provost John L. Jackson Jr. explains the relationship between the strategic framework In Principle and Practice and Penn Forward—a new University-wide process and action plan that will advance Penn forward for the next decade and beyond.

6 min. read

Walking the walk with Penn’s VP of Business Services
Michael Scales.

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Walking the walk with Penn’s VP of Business Services

A year into his role as vice president of Business Services, Michael Scales has built on the division’s “legacy of excellence” while being a sponge and getting to know students and staff around the division.

4 min. read

Philly high schoolers imagine their futures through a Penn GSE summer program
Instructor and student gaze at spider in a container.

Adina Goldstein, top left, alongside Philadelphia high school students, examines a spider during a session with the School of Veterinary Medicine.

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Philly high schoolers imagine their futures through a Penn GSE summer program

The Academy at Penn, a five-year program in partnership with nonprofit Foundations, Penn Graduate School of Education, and the School District of Philadelphia, kicked off this summer with programming that empowered adolescents to assess their skills and imagine what’s possible for their careers.

4 min. read