The Student Committee on Undergraduate Education held its annual Education Week from Sept. 25 to 29, which featured an array of events that encouraged undergraduates to take control of their education at Penn.
Education Week spotlighted educational possibilities beyond traditional classrooms, spanning civic engagement to community-building endeavors. These events were made to ignite dialogue and thinking in collaboration with other student organizations.
Monday started with a panel titled "Constructing your Roadmap to Penn," which invited students from diverse programs across campus to share their academic and professional journeys. After the discussion, a meet-and-greet provided first year and second year students with opportunities for peer mentorship from upperclassmen.
SCUE and the SNF Paideia Program collaborated on Tuesday with the "Dialogue and Dinner” conversation centered on diversity in education. Executive Director of the SNF Paideia Program Leah Anderson provided insights within the context of the recent Supreme Court affirmative action rulings.
Wednesday's activities featured a collaboration between SCUE and the Netter Center, aiming to raise awareness about engagement opportunities in West Philadelphia through ABCS courses and other avenues. 48th Street Grille, a local West Philly eatery, provided food.
The "Bridge to Math" event on Thursday sought to facilitate incoming students struggling with introductory math courses through tutoring and study hall sessions with Teaching Assistants, College senior and Bridge to Math founder Iris Horng explained.
This initiative garnered an audience of over 100 students, supported by nine TAs. At the same time, a "wellness slime study break" encouraged students to prioritize mental wellness during midterms. At another event, in collaboration with the Graduate School of Education, LEA elementary school tutoring students spoke on the importance of volunteering.
Friday was the culmination of Education Week. SCUE conducted a final round of surveys to gather information for their 2025 White Paper, which will present comprehensive data and research on undergraduate education to Penn’s administration. Students shared their thoughts on their overall undergraduate educational experiences, from wellness issues to their general academic journey.
SCUE members said that this week is just the beginning of many conversations. College senior Rawan Wadi, SCUE’s Chair External, reflected on their event's goals.
“I think it’s really good … [to be] able to meet so many people and show them what there is to their education at Penn,” Wadi said.
College junior and SCUE’s Chair Internal Michelle Wen spoke about the week's engagement.
“People had so many questions. The room was so full of energy that I felt like, to me, was why we ran this whole week. That was definitely the highlight,” Wen said.
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