Professor of practice Leslie Richards on innovative transit and city planning Leslie Richards, professor of practice in the Weitzman School.nocred Professor of practice Leslie Richards on innovative transit and city planning Once described as a “battleship turner” by Philadelphia Magazine, Weitzman professor of practice Leslie Richards served as secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) and subsequently led the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA), where she oversaw a $2 billion budget and a network that connects over five million residents in Greater Philadelphia. Having earned a master of regional planning degree from Penn in 1993, she was the first planner and 2 min. read
Keeping it local: Penn’s partnerships with Philadelphia-based vendors boost local economy, neighborhood impact Nikisha Bailey and Matthew Nam are the co-founders of Win Win Coffee, a Philadelphia-based coffee supplier and Penn vendor dedicated to sourcing ethically and building community.nocred 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
Penn, Neubauer Family Foundation, and Philadelphia Police Department partner to support police leadership education (From left) Interim Dean of Penn’s School of Arts & Sciences and William R. Kenan, Jr. Professor of Music History Jeffrey Kallberg; Philadelphia Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel; Joseph Neubauer; Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker; Jeanette Lerman-Neubauer; professor of criminology John MacDonald; and Deputy Provost Beth A. Winkelstein.(Image: Brooke Sietinsons) Penn, Neubauer Family Foundation, and Philadelphia Police Department partner to support police leadership education The first-of-its-kind graduate degree in the U.S. for police leaders launches this fall at the School of Arts & Sciences. 3 min. read
President Jameson provides a ‘snapshot of Penn’s momentum’ nocred President Jameson provides a ‘snapshot of Penn’s momentum’ “In a time of constant change and renewal, what keeps us connected is our traditions,” said Penn President J. Larry Jameson at an Alumni Weekend gathering. 5 min. read
Philly CEAL trains health workers in chronic disease management Philly CEAL trains health workers in chronic disease management Community health workers from Philadelphia recently completed intensive training in chronic disease self-management through the Philly CEAL project, a strategic partnership between Penn Nursing and the city’s Office of Community Empowerment and Opportunity.
2025 Projects for Progress recipients announced nocred 2025 Projects for Progress recipients announced The fifth cohort of Penn P4P teams will receive up to $100,000 each to support education, health, and urban agriculture, respectively, in Philadelphia. 3 min. read
Move-Out: Tips for a cleaner, greener, easier experience nocred Move-Out: Tips for a cleaner, greener, easier experience Penn offices and community partners have options for off-campus pickups, on-campus donations, and additional curbside trash pickup days aimed at keeping the neighborhood clean and limiting what ends up in the landfill. 3 min. read
Empowering high school youth through immersive art mentorship Fourth-year students 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.nocred 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
Penn Medicine breaks ground on fourth proton therapy center Penn Medicine breaks ground on fourth proton therapy center The advanced radiation therapy facility is expected to open at Penn Presbyterian Medical Center in 2027.
How Penn engineers are restoring historic Springfield Mills Jason Pastor (left) is a senior coordinator of instructional labs at the Department of Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mechanics (MEAM) at Penn Engineering.(Image: Courtesy of Penn Engineering) How Penn engineers are restoring historic Springfield Mills The gristmill on Wissahickon Creek, which dates back to 1761, required repairs to its modern machinery upgrades. Volunteers at the Morris Arboretum & Gardens turned to MEAM’s Precision Manufacturing Lab at Penn Engineering for the design of precision components. 2 min. read