News

Nobel Prize laureate, Penn researcher Katalin Karikó speaks at Hill College House dinner

Penn GSE appoints Sade Bonilla as inaugural faculty research director of community engagement office

In her new role, Bonilla will lead select research projects within the School District of Philadelphia and provide “thought leadership” on the evaluation of OSCE’s programs, according to the announcement from Penn GSE. 

Annenberg study investigates psychology behind processing of political messages

Alongside researchers from Dartmouth College, Columbia University, and University of California Berkeley, the team found that there was no single brain region responsible for processing the various types of partisan information.

Penn Carey Law School establishes Democracy Consortium for student-led civic initiatives

The initiative builds on the work of the Democracy Law Project, a pro bono group focused on election law and voting rights within Penn’s Toll Public Interest Center. 

Penn Criminology research links Airbnb rentals with higher crime rates in London

The researchers found a positive correlation between an increase in the number of Airbnbs available and an increase in theft, burglary, robbery and violence. 

Penn students develop online tool to help high schoolers navigate college finances

Launched in April 2024, Finiverse is a free app that provides a comprehensive breakdown of the total cost of attending individual colleges.

Civic House partner Why Not Prosper opens first museum honoring formerly incarcerated people

F.I.R.M., whose opening coincided with Why Not Prosper's 23rd anniversary and was attended by over 250 people, was established to uplift the experiences, voices, and artwork of formerly incarcerated individuals.

Penn students found two startup apps to promote item exchanges between students on college campuses

The two apps — agora and Need That — aim to redefine how students buy, sell, and trade items within their immediate communities and are aiming to break into the Penn community.

Major financial aid expansion at Penn targets middle-income families, excludes home values

As part of the initiative, Penn will increase financial aid packages and guarantee full tuition scholarships to a greater number of students.

Trump taps Penn graduate Mehmet Oz to lead Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services

Oz, who received an M.D. from Penn's medical school and an MBA from Wharton, will lead the second Trump administration’s oversight of major health insurance programs if confirmed.

GSE Dean launches school's new framework at fireside chat with Phila. School District Superintendent

The GSE’s new strategic vision, “Together for Good," focuses on new approaches to pedagogy and educational development.

U.S. Rep. and Penn alum Josh Gottheimer announces New Jersey gubernatorial campaign

Gottheimer has been outspoken in publicly calling on Penn to protect its Jewish students against antisemitism. 

Washington Post columnist Karen Tumulty discusses election coverage, changing journalism landscape

Tumulty discussed the changing role of journalism in the political media landscape — including the rise of unconventional information sources like TikTok and other social media platforms — and the factors that she believes contributed to president-elect and 1968 Wharton graduate Donald Trump’s victory. 

Penn Abroad introduces new summer programs at Hong Kong, Copenhagen universities for academic credit

Students in the Wharton School or School of Engineering and Applied Sciences will be able to apply to study at either the Chinese University of Hong Kong or Copenhagen Business School. 

Political scientist Mari Miura talks gender inequality in Japanese politics at Annenberg School

Miura, a political science professor and law faculty member at Sophia University and visiting scholar at Harvard University's Edwin O. Reischauer Institute of Japanese Studies, spoke on the challenges facing gender equality in Japanese politics today. 

Vaughn Booker named Presidential Associate Professor of Africana Studies

The award, which was established by Wharton 1976 graduates Lee Spelman Doty and George E. Doty Jr. in 2021, recognizes Booker’s contributions to the field of African American religions.

Penn Plant ARC hosts inaugural symposium featuring expert presentations on climate change

On Nov. 15, the Penn Plant Adaptability and Resilience Center hosted its inaugural symposium, “Climate Solutions for the Living World,” to discuss solutions to climate change.

Weingarten Center introduces AI-based note-taking option, prompting concern

The Weingarten Center recently introduced an AI-based option for students with note-taking accommodations, but the service has drawn concerns over privacy and its adequacy as a tool for academic support.

Former Penn employee sues University, alleging discrimination at Steinberg Conference Center

The lawsuit alleged that Yolanda Davis was retaliated against for reporting her disability and requesting accommodation.

Wharton removes undergraduate demographic data, citing inconsistency showing drop in students of color

A Wharton spokesperson said that the discrepancy was due to differences in how the percentages of students of color and students from underrepresented groups were calculated for each class.