After 10 years, gov't liaison to step down

After more than 10 years of serving the University, Carol Scheman has decided to step down from her position as vice president for government, community and public affairs, effective in July.

During her time at Penn, Scheman has built up strong relations between the University and the federal, state and local governments. She has also worked extensively to build bridges between Penn and the West Philadelphia community.

The resignation, Scheman said, is heavily motivated by personal factors, and although it saddens her to leave Penn, the opportunity to spend time with her family was something that she could no longer pass up.

"This was an agonizing choice because I do have an enormous attachment to Penn and its people," Scheman said. "I spend more time with them than anyone else in my life -- in many ways, they are my family."

But "the fact is, people have to re-pot themselves. And it really is time."

Scheman plans to spend more time in Washington, where her husband lives.

She said that she is leaving her future open and does not have a specific job lined up. However, she is very confident that she will pursue a job in the non-profit sector and perhaps continue in the field of higher education.

"I have lived a very planned life," she said, "and this is not as planned. And that's OK."

The University will have an open search for her replacement. University President Amy Gutmann said that she hopes the position will be filled by this summer.

She will continue to work through the budget season -- going on now at both the federal and state levels. With a firm institutional foundation in place at the University, Scheman is confident that her departure will not detract from Penn's partnerships with the community or the government.

"There are really good people in place ... who know exactly what they are doing, and they do it really well," she said.

Nevertheless, her legacy will remain. From leading West Philadelphia Initiative -- programs which use the University's resources to aid the surrounding neighborhoods -- to creating firm relationships with City Council and the federal government, Scheman has made a substantial contribution to Penn over the past decade.

"Her major legacy [is] that she developed this whole department, [and] it has become a much more pivotal part of the University's operation," Assistant Vice President for Community Relations Glenn Bryan said.

Bryan added that Scheman's great knowledge of the inner workings of Washington and her lobbying efforts on behalf of the University have reaped benefits that cannot be overlooked.

"Carol cared deeply about Penn and the West Philadelphia community and making a difference," Director of the Center for Community Partnerships Ira Harkavy said. "She helped, in fact, to improve Penn's relationships with all of its constituencies -- helped Penn work more effectively at every level of government."

On a more personal level, Harkavy added, Scheman was a genuine champion for the work of the CCP. It was during her tenure that the center expanded and developed its outreach into the community.

Please note All comments are eligible for publication in The Daily Pennsylvanian.