Student
The Other Emissions Coming from Cars
Tiny tire particles discharge into the environment every time a vehicle brakes, accelerates, or rounds a curve. In a UN brief, geochemist Reto Gieré and colleagues aim to educate the world about this lesser-known environmental obstacle.
Fox Leadership Program Turns 25
The program, founded in 1999 through a gift from Robert A. Fox, C’52, and Penny Fox, ED’53, aims to equip and empower Penn students and alums for present and future roles as ethical and effective leaders.
Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations Department Renamed Middle Eastern Languages and Cultures
The new name better represents the scope of research and teaching by the department.
How Do You Get the World to Pay Attention to Water Scarcity?
Joey Wu, C’25, thinks the way to do it is by sharing stories of hope, and he launched the nonprofit Waterroots for this purpose.
Politics in Perspective
A first-year seminar taught by Michele Margolis, an associate professor of political science, applies the lessons of political science to a consequential election—and leans into difficult conversations.
Students of the Occult
In a class this semester, Becky Friedman, C’10, Associate Director of Undergraduate Studies in the Department of English, leads students down the dark, historical spiral of witchcraft, examining its persecutorial past and transition to palatable and raucous entertainment.
On the Record
Launching a podcast about the experience of being first-generation college students opened up a new world—and skills beyond STEM—for biochemistry major Khaliun Dorjmenchim, C’25.
Just the (Arti)facts
Ethan Nemeth, C’26, spent nine weeks on the Penn Museum’s public engagement team as part of the Summer Humanities Internship Program.
A Pandemic Puzzle
This summer, Matthew Breier, C’26, worked with Associate Professor David Barnes to research how the 1918 flu pandemic affected Philadelphia’s Black and immigrant neighborhoods.
Digging into a Career in the Biological Sciences
At the most recent College Alumni Mentoring Series Roundtable, students connected with Gabrielle Gosciniak C’13, Brielle Gehringer, C’18, GR’23, and Tyler Ling, C’18.
A Sounding Board for First- and Second-Years
The College’s pre-major advising program has been around since the 1990s. The 130 or so faculty and staff who participate act as a support system and academic guide for undergrads learning to navigate the experiences and spaces of Penn.
Small Seminars Foster Sense of Belonging for New College Students
Sixty first-year seminars offer complex subjects in a comfortable group setting, as well as close connections to professors and peers. This year, 10 are also taking part in a pilot program focused on teaching students how to have respectful dialogue around difficult topics.
Omnia Podcast: Deep Listening and The Sound of Philadelphia (Audio)
In a graduate seminar taught by Professor of Music Carol Muller, students re-examined ethnographic research methods and worked on field projects aimed at documenting Philadelphia’s Black music history.
How a Flipped Classroom Stokes the Collaborative Spirit of Physics
Bill Ashmanskas is using the Structured Active In-Class Learning format to help his students grasp high-level physics concepts.
From College Community to Career Path
Joyce Kim, an advanced doctoral student in sociology and education, wants to know what motivates undergraduates—especially those who are the first in their families to attend college—to choose the career trajectories that they do.