Penn Parents - Spring 2022

University of Pennsylvania

PARENTS SPRING 2022

Facing the Future RESOURCE RUNDOWN SUSTAINABILTY AT PENN UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES GLOBAL EXPERIENCES

A M E S S A G E F R O M T H E PA R E N T O U T R E A C H T E A M

As parents, you have always been focused on the happiness of your children and the future they will create. At Penn, the possibilities for creating that future are limitless.

With the end of spring semester fast approaching, some students have their eye on graduation and starting their careers. Some are planning for graduate school or summer classes, while others are preparing for next year and enjoying a well-deserved break.

With M. Elizabeth Magill joining Penn as our new president, we remain steadfast in our dedication to providing every student with an undergraduate experience that enables them to learn, grow, and take full advantage of everything our university has to offer.

Across our undergraduate schools, curricula have evolved to reflect and elevate the fields and industries that will define the future of employment and the fate of the world. Outside the classroom, Penn offers ample opportunities for students to have formative, life-defining experiences and to give back locally and globally. Our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion ensures all students can take part in shaping the future.

In this issue, we offer you a panoramic view of how Penn is preparing your students to face whatever the future will bring. Read on to learn more about opportunities for students to prepare for careers, create supportive communities, build a more sustainable campus and world, enjoy global experiences, and more. These are only the tip of the iceberg. The Penn Parents team is always happy to guide you to more resources that will help your students pursue their dreams.

Thank you for being a part of the Penn family.

Rachel Shearon Senior Director Parent Outreach and Development University of Pennsylvania

CONTENTS

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WORDS TO THE WISE

BECOMING GLOBAL CITIZENS

Resources that will help your student prepare for their future

Amid a challenging time, Penn students still pursue global learning opportunities abroad or on campus

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RED AND BLUE AND GREEN ALL OVER

BIG DATA, BIG OPPORTUNITIES

Penn Eco-Reps uphold a commitment to sustainability

A spotlight on data science across the undergraduate curriculum

08 Parents is a publication of the Office of Parent Outreach and Development *This issue of Parents magazine went to print on April 13, 2022.

STUDENT RESEARCHERS AT WORK The Student Research Expo highlights the range and rigor of Penn undergraduate scholarship

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WORDS TO THE

WISE

Tips that will empower your student’s success at Penn and beyond

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enn offers a multitude of resources to enhance your student’s experience and help them face whatever the future holds. Opportunities abound—like the Handshake career networking app, event calendars, cultural and learning centers, and chances to forge lifelong connections—to help prepare students for rewarding careers and fulfilling lives.

CAREER PLANNING

At Penn, students are empowered to take full advantage of career development opportunities, from help with crafting resumes or finding internships to guidance on graduate school and on-campus recruiting. Virtual options have become plentiful during the COVID-19 pandemic, making online interviews a convenient choice for busy young scholars and top employers. Be sure your student is in the know about what’s available—from reveling in the “right now” to focusing on their future.

ENGAGING EVENTS

It’s never too early for your student to start planning for their dream job!

The Career Services events calendar is a vital resource for all students.

Special events are plentiful, whether your student is seeking a summer internship at a nonprofit or exploring a career in investment banking.

Learn more: careerservices.upenn.edu/events

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A Unique Opportunity

INTERESTING INTERNSHIPS

RealArts@Penn is just one of many internship opportunities available to undergraduates. RealArts internships are designed to help creative students of all majors deepen their understanding of creative industries and gain a foundational and real-world vision of the fields they’re interested in.

Learn more: web.sas.upenn.edu/realartsatpenn

REAL-LIFE NETWORKING & JOBS

The Handshake app connects students with vetted job and internship opportunities and fruitful networking connections. It’s a critical tool for conversing with prospective employers and learning about company culture and open roles. The app makes it easy for students to source jobs and internships, get event information, and schedule appointments with Career Advisors.

Penn undergraduates may submatriculate in select Penn graduate programs, working toward obtaining a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree at the same time.

Listen to the official Career Services podcast here: cs-radio.simplecast.com

PURPOSEFUL CONNECTIONS

Penn FLASH provides first-generation and/or lower-income students and alumni with a platform to make purposeful connections and gain life and career insight from experienced mentors.

Learn more: mentoring.upenn.edu

Photo credits: Michael DeAngelis LEFT: Career Services partners with The Wardrobe to give Penn students access to professional clothing that helps them look and feel their best.

CENTER: Students attend an on-campus career fair focused on opportunities in the design fields.

RIGHT: Expert speakers at the Platt Performing Arts House share their advice with students seeking careers in theatrical publishing.

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LEFT: To celebrate Pride Month, Penn's LGBT Center hosted Dance Outside with Pride, a virtual and in-person dance class with Philadelphia choreographer Devon Sinclair. Photo credit: Eric Sucar

BUILDING COMMUNITY

More than ever, Penn students can connect over shared needs, identities, and experiences. A variety of student-focused options exist when it comes to community, academic support, and leadership opportunities.

PENN CULTURAL CENTERS

At Penn, students explore and celebrate cultural identity through six on-campus cultural resource centers. These spaces cultivate year-round support systems and provide a welcoming forum for students of all backgrounds.

La Casa Latina: The Center for Hispanic Excellence

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Makuu: The Black Cultural Center

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Greenfield Intercultural Center

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Pan-Asian American Community House

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LGBT Center

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Penn Women’s Center

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LEFT: La Casa Latina is a hub of academic, personal, and professional growth for Penn students interested in Latinx and Latin American cultures.

Photo credit: Eric Sucar

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RIGHT: Penn Traditions hosts a tree planting ceremony for the Class of 2025. Photo credit: Eric Sucar LEFT: A peer advising session.

Photo credit: Michael DeAngelis

WEINGARTEN CENTER

There’s something for everyone at the Weingarten Center, Penn’s home for academic support and disability services.

Learning Consultations—Students can schedule virtual meetings with a learning specialist to discuss their study strategies.

Workshops—A variety of in-person and virtual workshops are offered throughout the year, with recent topics like “Thriving at Penn” and “Navigating the Hidden Curriculum.”

Tutoring—Students of all class years and majors are welcome to explore Penn’s tutoring services. For most students, drop-in tutoring is the first stop, but specialized options are also available.

PENN TRADITIONS

Your student’s relationship with Penn is designed to last a lifetime! Penn Traditions is a student organization that celebrates Penn’s history, connects students and alumni, and inspires lifelong Penn pride.

Penn Traditions welcomes students of all class years and offers unique opportunities for undergraduates to connect and network with Penn alumni.

AFTER PENN

A wonderful alumni community awaits recent Penn graduates. For students looking to stay involved, build their network, or become young alumni leaders, Penn Alumni is a great starting point for programs and resources.

The Live Career Tools Series helps Penn alumni expand their professional networks and skills.

MyPenn is an online community that connects Penn alumni worldwide.

Penn Alumni Travel offers opportunities to explore the world with Penn faculty and alumni.

A Community of Care At Penn, planning for a successful future includes student wellness. The HELP Line (215-898-HELP) is available 24/7 for Penn students who are seeking time-sensitive health and/or wellness guidance.

Penn Alumni Regional Clubs engage a global alumni network through hundreds of events each year. yPenn Alumni advances young alumni leadership. learn more:

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RED + BLUE + GREEN Ryan Lam, ENG’22, hadn’t even taken his first class before jumping into the world of sustainability at Penn.

“During Pre-Orientation, I took part in PennGreen,” Lam said. “We went on camping trips, visited sustainable businesses in Philadelphia, and met with professors and people from the Penn Sustainability office. It was a great experience, and I am now a leader for the group.”

Lam and Skylar Cannon, ENG’22, are coordinators for the Penn Sustainability Eco-Rep program. “Eco-Reps develop projects that advance sustainability and work toward the goals of Penn’s Climate and Sustainability Action Plan,” said Nina Morris, Sustainability Director.

“Because the projects are your own, you are empowered to make a tangible difference,” Cannon said. “Working directly with Penn Sustainability also gives us a firsthand look at the University’s commitment to these issues.”

Lam worked on an Eco-Rep project to help develop guidelines and identify materials for

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all over

screenings on glass buildings that would minimize bird strikes. “The bird population in North America has dropped by 30 percent since 1970,” Lam explained.

“By taking measures to implement bird-friendly designs on campus buildings, we help Penn reduce its impact on this alarming statistic.”

Cannon’s Eco--Rep project included educating housekeeping Bird-friendly glass at Lauder College House. and dining staff on Photo credit: Chloe Cerwinka sustainability practices.

She also participated in a three-week service-learning course in Argentina, building solar water heaters and insulating the walls of homes to maximize energy efficiency. Countless other Penn students are seizing opportunities like these that help create a more sustainable world, including participating in the Student Sustainability Association at Penn (SSAP).

Penn Sustainability Eco-Reps plant trees in West Philadelphia’s Cobbs Creek area during the inaugural Climate Week in September 2020. Photo credit: Kylie Cooper

In November 2021, Penn announced a new President’s Sustainability Prize, which will award up to $100,000 for project implementation, as well as $50,000 for living expenses for each student prize recipient.

SSAP encompasses 12 constituent organizations focusing on issues including beekeeping, water conservation, outdoor activities, and more. One SSAP group, Isla Urbana, brings students to Mexico City to help install rainwater harvesting systems for local schools and homes.

“The wonderful thing about Penn is that there are so many options for students to find their personal passions, whether that is renewable energy, protecting wildlife, or sustainable eating,” said Morris. “If students are interested in hands-on projects and making change within the Penn community and in the world, our office offers a lot of great opportunities.”

Among these, Penn Sustainability aids students in identifying research opportunities and fellowships on campus and administers the Green Fund, which provides support for approximately 10 student-driven projects per year. “If a student wants to establish a new project like outlet timers for lab equipment or wildlife tracking, we have the funding for them,” Morris said.

While there is much to learn and much to do on campus, Cannon emphasizes that sustainability starts at home. “Moving to college is a huge transition,” she said.

“Sometimes it is difficult to be eco-conscious on top of all of your other responsibilities. Families that practice sustainability are huge partners in building a more sustainable campus, and a more sustainable world.”

DID YOU KNOW? Across Penn’s undergraduate schools, students can choose from 283 courses related to environmental sustainability.

Penn’s campus is home to 40+ LEED certified buildings, with 34 buildings bearing green roofs.

28% of campus is green space.

Since 2009, Penn has reduced its carbon footprint by 44%, thanks in part to recommissioned building spaces and increased use of green energy sources.

ON LEFT: The Penn Food & Wellness Collaborative's Penn Park Farm, established in 2020, promotes wellness, sustainability, education, and food access on campus and in Philadelphia. The farm hosts a wide variety of programming, including class visits, internships, workshops, volunteer opportunities, and events.

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STUDENT RESEARCHERS at WORK

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t Penn, high-level research isn’t just the domain of professors and graduate students.

Thanks to the Center for Undergraduate Research and Fellowships (CURF), any undergraduate who wants to conduct research can get the support they need to pursue their academic interests and develop skills for their future careers.

CURF supports all undergraduates interested in academic research, including providing information on how and why students do research, pairing students with Research Peer Advisors, and helping find a faculty mentor.

Each semester, CURF holds a research expo.

At the Fall Research Expo, which was held in September 2021, over 300 undergraduates 8

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Research is for everyone.

It doesn’t matter what your major is; research develops critical thinking and life skills that are incredibly useful even if you don’t go into an academic career.

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Jane Coyle Morris Executive Director of CURF

virtually shared their research with the Penn community. Students uploaded posters of their research, along with a three- to five-minute video explaining their work and its importance. Research from nearly every field was represented, from the natural sciences to the humanities.

ON LEFT: Kelcey Gibbons, C’20, presented at a pre-pandemic CURF Research Expo. She examined how African American communities imagined and interacted with computers in the mid-20th century.

Photo credit: Aaron Olson

Featured Students from CURF's Fall Research Expo Dana Raphael, C'22

Majors: Neuroscience + French/Francophone Studies Minor: Chemistry Dana Raphael presented her work on migration during Holocaust-era France. Raphael investigated the connection between physical migration and the migration of memories using virtual audiovisual survivor testimonies and autobiographical survivor memoirs. Her research underscored the importance of first-person testimonies as fewer and fewer students learn about the Holocaust.

Arnav Lal, C'23

Majors: Biology + Biophysics + Philosophy Arnav Lal studies human embryo mRNA sequencing and is developing new methods for assessing the evolution of genes within bacterial species.

His analysis of blastocoel fluid—fluid on the inside of a developing embryo—was the first of its kind to be presented at Penn. With the help of his mentors, Lal laid the groundwork for new research that may reveal key insights into human developmental biology.

CURF helps students apply for competitive fellowships. In addition to the well-known Rhodes, Gates, and Marshall Scholarships, there are many other prestigious opportunities that students can apply to with CURF support, including:

Truman Scholarships are awarded to juniors who plan to attend graduate or professional school to prepare for careers in government or public service.

Goldwater Scholarships are awarded to sophomores and juniors who intend to pursue a research career in the physical or natural sciences, technology, engineering, or mathematics.

Udall Scholarships are awarded to juniors and seniors in two areas: students interested in conservation and environmental issues and Native Americans and Alaska Natives pursuing healthrelated careers or working on tribal policy.

Fulbright Grants fund 8 to 12 months of international experience for students and recent alumni to conduct their own research, teach English, complete a creative arts project, or earn a graduate degree abroad.

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BECOMING

GLOBAL CITIZENS P

enn students can engage in an exciting array of global opportunities both on and off campus, enabling them to push beyond their comfort zones to develop cross-cultural understanding, compassionate curiosity, and critical connections as global citizens.

During the 2021–2022 academic year, global experiences were able to safely resume, even amid the COVID-19 pandemic. These experiences ranged from lectures by distinguished global thought leaders at the Perry World House to a semester in South Korea or a research seminar in the Galapagos Islands. Penn Abroad is home to a number of global opportunities for students of all class years and majors, including: Semester Abroad: Extended study in a new global community provides formative, life-changing experiences for students.

Penn Global Seminars: Students can deepen their understanding of concepts discussed in the classroom through short-term, faculty-led seminars in locations around the world—from India to Iceland.

Global Research & Internship Program: Students intern or conduct research abroad during the summer, gaining vital career training and invaluable academic and personal development.

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My time abroad gave me an idea of what people all over the world are the most concerned about and how different cultures approach the same problems from different angles.

Mariana Velasco, W’22 Penn Abroad Global Correspondent

Railyn Diaz, W '22 London , Unite d Kin

LEFT: Railyn Diaz in London.

gdom

After quickly realizin is so m g that uch mo London r e than accent British s and r e d telepho to enjo ne boot y my ti hs, I d m e to the ecided same n fullest. eighbo I visite rhoods d the them d repeat edly, e ifferen tly eac xperien everyt cing h time hin g . I .

I t o ok pict walked no acc ures of away w ent, sa ith new dly). I slang ( st resse recruit but d about ed for f s u c l l h -time ool a b and t r roles o it, ied lot n Easter s of ne n – joy, w food Time, s. I fe excitem l t al l t h ent, fe al l o f t e feel ar, disc his, I d s omfort i d . n 't A n p d would re-plan during consist what e o f. I allo very m univers wed L oment ity cam o ndon a p u n s d to cre the experie ate a u nce th n ique, un at was expect of wha m e a n ed t t I tho f o r me, ind ught it ep ende would nt be.

Read more student stories at: global.upenn.edu/pennabroad/blog.

For answers to your questions and more information about global opportunities for Penn students, visit: global.upenn.edu/pennabroad/families

TOP LEFT: Students in a Penn Global Seminar study tropical biodiversity and conservation in Costa Rica. Photo credit: Ryan Villanueva

BELOW: The 2021–2022 cohort of Perry World House Student Fellows is shown here with Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein, Perry World House Professor of Practice of Law and Human Rights and former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (front, third from right).

Photo credit: Jared Rosen

ON-CAMPUS CONNECTIONS Perry World House (PWH) is Penn’s oncampus hub for global engagement. PWH is home to the World House Student Fellows Program for rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors from any school who have demonstrated a serious interest in exploring global affairs and are committed to addressing global policy challenges.

As Fellows, students collaborate with peers on a year-long project to explore a global policy issue. They travel to New York and Washington, D.C., to meet with policy experts and engage with PWH visiting fellows and scholars who arrive at Penn as recognized leaders in their field.

To learn more, visit: global.upenn.edu/perryworldhouse/worldhouse-student-fellows

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BIG DATA, BIG OPPORTUNITIES

Penn undergraduates can delve into data science programs spanning diverse fields

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he modern world is driven by data, which has become an indispensable asset in a wide range of disciplines—from health care to the humanities, and from business to bioengineering. The challenge is how to make sense of the explosion of information.

That’s where data science comes in. The field provides the knowledge and tools needed to analyze large sets of data, detect meaningful patterns, and guide decision-making.

Penn is a leader in promoting data-driven approaches that can transform discovery, research, and innovation. Undergraduates in all four schools can find opportunities to develop their skills in this emerging field and use data-driven approaches to solve real-world problems, whatever their area of study.

Penn Engineering, the hub of many data science initiatives on campus, offers a minor in data science, which is open to all Penn undergraduates.

Targeted to students with strong analytical abilities and programming experience, the minor applies core concepts in computer science, statistics, and mathematics to a wide range of fields, from the physical, social, and biomedical sciences to the arts and humanities.

In nursing, data can help identify issues in clinical care and lead to solutions that address those challenges. Penn Nursing’s Hillman Scholars Program in Nursing Innovation, a curriculum that accelerates students from a nursing bachelor’s to a PhD, provides undergraduates the opportunity

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to work with graduate students and faculty to analyze large sets of data and make recommendations that improve patient health.

At Penn’s business school, Wharton Customer Analytics encourages students to think about data in new ways. For example, the Wharton Analytics Accelerator brings together teams of undergraduate, MBA, and PhD students for a learning-by-doing program focused on data science. Working alongside a Wharton mentor and a company, the teams use the organization’s datasets, together with techniques such as machine learning and artificial intelligence, to solve real-world business problems.

The Penn Arts & Sciences Data Driven Discovery Initiative supports data science–focused initiatives at all levels, across a diverse set of fields. Undergraduates can take part in the Summer Undergraduate Data Science Hangout, which gives them an opportunity to present their work to peers, learn about research conducted by undergraduates in other departments, and listen to talks on data science from faculty.

Programs focused on big data—including these and many others across campus—give students at all levels and in all disciplines opportunities to put data to work.

Parent FAQ Q: My student lives off-campus. How can they sublet their apartment for the summer?

Your student’s own network is a good place to start! Their friends or classmates staying in Philadelphia for the summer are great options. Students can also list their apartment for sublet through Off-Campus Services’ rental listing portal at cms.business-services.upenn.edu/offcampusservices.

Q: Does PennCash transfer from year to year? Can my student get a refund if they are graduating?

PennCash does transfer from year to year. If your student is graduating or no longer wants a PennCash balance, they can receive a refund or donate the remaining amount to The Penn Fund. Students can contact the PennCard Center at penncard@upenn.edu or 215-417-CARD for more information.

Q: Does Penn offer summer housing?

Q: Do dining plan funds carry over from year to year? When do they expire?

Dining funds expire at the end of each year. Swipes can be used through the last day of finals, and Dining Dollars can be used through Commencement Day. Find hours of operation at dining.business-services.upenn.edu.

Hospitality Services offers housing in the College Houses between May 22, 2022, and August 13, 2022. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and will close once maximum capacity has been reached. Learn more at cms.businessservices.upenn.edu/hospitality-services.

Make it count!

Every year at Penn offers students new experiences, new possibilities, and new ways to pursue their goals. Penn parents who support The Penn Fund are valued partners in creating an inclusive academic environment that empowers all students to reach their full potential. Together, we can ensure our undergraduates and our university are prepared for any challenges and opportunities the future holds.

Make your gift today. pennpri.de/parentgift

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Office of Parent Outreach and Development 2929 Walnut Street Suite 300 Philadelphia, PA 19104-5099 pennparents.upenn.edu

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