Diversity News

Anita L. Allen, the Henry R. Silverman Professor of Law and Professor of Philosophy and vice provost for faculty, became the first black woman president of the Eastern Division of the American Philosophical Association.

Sharon Smith, Executive Director of Student Intervention Services, has been named Associate Vice Provost for University Life. Since June 19, she has been a member of VPUL’s Central Resource Management Team (CRMT) reporting directly to Vice Provost Valarie Swain-Cade McCoullum.

Joseph S. Francisco joined Penn as the President’s Distinguished Professor of Earth and Environmental Science, with a secondary appointment in the department of chemistry. Having served as the Elmer H. and Ruby M. Cordes Chair in Chemistry and Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, Dr. Francisco is an internationally recognized scholar of atmospheric chemistry and chemical kinetics. His work extends across chemical, earth and environmental sciences.

Joseph S. Francisco joined Penn as the President’s Distinguished Professor of Earth and Environmental Science, with a secondary appointment in the department of chemistry. 

On June 5, Penn President Amy Gutmann was recognized at the I Have A Dream Foundation’s annual Spirit of the Dream Gala in New York City. Nearly 500 supporters, students and alumni gathered to honor leaders who have made a transformative impact in building a more inclusive America and a more equitable education system. Dr. Gutmann was honored with the Eugene M. Lang Lifetime Achievement Award.

Jazmyn S. Pulley was named Director of the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life at Penn effective July 9. A longtime member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc. and the former associate director of fraternity and sorority life at Columbia University, Ms. Pulley has national leadership experience in the Association of Fraternity/Sorority Advisors.

Important research undertaken by undergraduate students in the Penn Slavery Project independent study supervised by Penn Professor Kathleen M. Brown, the David Boies Professor of History in the School of Arts and Sciences, has given us a clearer understanding of the depth and breadth of Penn’s connections to slavery. This was a profoundly painful and odious part of our nation’s history. No segment of American society or institution founded during the 18th century, including the University of Pennsylvania, escaped its scourge. Far from it.  [More...]

During one of Penn First’s events during Gen Week, a celebration of the resiliency and success of the first-generation, low-income (FGLI) community, the “photo booth” allowed anyone who identified as FGLI or as an ally, to personalize signs explaining what FGLI means to them.

The Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania Hospital, Penn Presbyterian Medical Center, and Chester County Hospital were announced among the 2018 class of the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Foundation’s “Leaders in LGBT Healthcare Equality Index 2018.” The HRC Foundation is the educational arm of the country’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) civil rights organization.