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President's Engagement Prizes

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Scaling from local to global venture

Scaling from local to global venture

Wharton graduate and President’s Engagement Prize recipient Katlyn Grasso shares how Penn mentors and resources have empowered her to make a tangible impact on society.

Reimagining a shelter as a supportive space for childhood

The HAVEN team with Liz Donaghue, assistant shelter director, in Jane Addams’ Bright Spaces room.

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Reimagining a shelter as a supportive space for childhood

HAVEN, a winning project of the 2026 President’s Engagement Prize developed by three fourth-year undergraduates, will launch an after-school program for K-5 children at Jane Addams Place, a homeless shelter in North Philadelphia.

3 min. read

Empowering unhoused patients through comprehensive eye care
From left to right: Justin Wang, Janine Haros, and Eric Lee in a clinical room at the Scheie Eye Institute, holding documents and smiling together

Justin Wang (left), Janine Haros (center), and Eric Lee (right) in a clinical room at the Scheie Eye Institute, holding documents and smiling together.

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Empowering unhoused patients through comprehensive eye care

Penn fourth-years Eric Lee, Janine Haros, and Justin Wang will use a President’s Engagement Prize to elevate vision health in unhoused individuals across Philadelphia through free eye screenings, tailored care coordination, and interactive patient education.

4 min. read

Class of 2026 President’s Engagement and Innovation Prize winners announced
(Top left) Connie Ni, Darlene Leohansson, and Chloe Chang, Darlene Leohansson. (Top right) Justin Wang, Janine Haros, and Eric Lee. (Bottom left) Margaret Zhu; (bottom right) Nhlanhla Mavuso.

The recipients of the 2026 President’s Engagement and Innovation Prizes: (Top left) Connie Ni, Darlene Leohansson, and Chloe Chang. (Top right) Justin Wang, Janine Haros, and Eric Lee. (Bottom left) Margaret Zhu; (bottom right) Nhlanhla Mavuso.

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Class of 2026 President’s Engagement and Innovation Prize winners announced

Four prize-winning teams will design and implement post-graduation projects that make a positive, lasting difference here in Philadelphia and beyond.

4 min. read

2025 PEP, PIP, and PSP winners: Where are they now?
nirby pip prize winner working on a laptop in a field

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2025 PEP, PIP, and PSP winners: Where are they now?

Nearly a year after being awarded the 2025 President’s Engagement Prize, President’s Innovation Prize, and President’s Sustainability Prize, the recipients—now alumni—provide updates on their projects.

3 min. read

2025 President’s Engagement Prize recipient: LensBright
The two members of Lensbright looking at a camera with a student in a classroom.

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2025 President’s Engagement Prize recipient: LensBright

Spearheaded by two 2025 President’s Engagement Prize recipients, LensBright expands upon an existing Penn student-led art mentorship initiative at Sayre High School in West Philadelphia with the aim of connecting under-resourced youth with hands-on art immersion, practical learning experiences, and industry networking opportunities.

2 min. read

2025 President’s Prize recipient: Nourish to Flourish
Three members of Nourish to Flourish working on computers in a school gymnasium.

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2025 President’s Prize recipient: Nourish to Flourish

Launched by three 2025 President’s Engagement Prize recipients, Nourish to Flourish is using a data‑driven, behavioral‑economics approach to help K–6 students in West Philadelphia build lasting healthy habits with access to fresh foods, nutrition and cooking classes, and more—all with an aim to reduce food insecurity and promote nutritional equity.

2 min. read

Empowering high school youth through immersive art mentorship
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.

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.

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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

Nourish to Flourish
Inaya Zaman, Rashmi Acharya, and Imani Nkrumah Ardayfio.

Fourth-years (from left) Inaya Zaman, Rashmi Acharya, and Imani Nkrumah Ardayfio 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 and use behavioral economics principals to encourage healthier food choices.

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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.

Louisa Shepard

7 min. read