West Philadelphia | Penn Today

Nikisha Bailey and Matthew Nam, co-founders of Win Win Coffee, a Philadelphia-based coffee supplier and Penn vendor.

Keeping it local: Penn’s partnerships with Philadelphia-based vendors boost local economy, neighborhood impact

According to the University’s latest Economic Impact Report, Penn helps power Philadelphia’s economy by procuring goods and services from neighboring businesses. Local CEOs discuss the meaningful impact that Penn has on their bottom line and in the community.

7 min. read

Know before you go: Commencement 2025

Penn Today provides a list of important facts and tips to help guide guests through this year’s Penn’s 269th Commencement ceremony to be held on Franklin Field on Monday, May 19.

3 min. read

A celebration of creativity and innovation for social good

Nine graduating students were recognized at an annual reception for the President’s Engagement, Innovation, and Sustainability prizes.

4 min. read

Fourth-years Ejun Mary Hong and Jack Nicholas Roney were awarded a 2025 President's Engagement Prize to pursue their PIXEL project. The pair will collaborate to bring art mentorship, creative skill-building, and industry networking opportunities to under-resourced high school students in the greater Philadelphia area.

Empowering high school youth through immersive art mentorship

Penn fourth-years Ejun Mary Hong and Jack Nicholas Roney will use a President’s Engagement Prize to expand their existing initiative dedicated to connecting under-resourced high school students in Philadelphia with art mentorship, creative skill-building, and industry networking opportunities.

6 min. read

Inaya Zaman, Rashmi Acharya, and Imani Nkrumah Ardayfio.

Nourish to Flourish

Fourth-years Rashmi Acharya, Imani Nkrumah Ardayfio and Inaya Zaman created Nourish to Flourish, winner of a 2025 President’s Engagement Prize. The trio will work with community partners at the Benjamin B. Comegys School in West Philadelphia to encourage healthier food choices.

7 min. read

Volunteers smiling and carrying tools and supplies during the block build event.

Penn lends support to Rebuilding Together Philadelphia effort repairing 11 local homes in two days

Marking a milestone block build, 70 Penn volunteers combined forces with Rebuilding Together Philadelphia, a nonprofit with roots at the University, to revitalize owner-occupied houses in the West Philadelphia community. The momentous two-day event involved a block build and speaking program—with a local homeowner sharing a heartfelt message.

2 min. read

Weitzman and Netter Center to tackle urban heat in West Philadelphia

A collaboration between the Thermal Architecture Lab at Penn’s Weitzman School of Design, the Netter Center for Community Partnerships, and the Annenberg School has been awarded an Environmental Protection Agency Thriving Communities Grant for $137,000 to work with William L. Sayre High School, a University-Assisted Community School, on measurement of urban heat and solution design.

FY24 Economic Impact Report shows Penn helps drive $37 billion through the region’s economy

The University, Philadelphia’s largest private employer, generates economic development across the city, Commonwealth, and region.

3 min. read

New campus choir finds harmony

The new Penn Staff & Community Choir, formed by Penn’s Office of Social Equity and Community in the fall, will have its debut mini-concert on Feb. 4, led by director Ruth Naomi Floyd.

Weitzman’s Jules Dingle on social and environmental sustainability

The Philadelphia architect and professor of practice in historic preservation joined the Weitzman School in the fall.

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