Fostering Understanding Across Divides

Penn’s commitment to community and civic engagement

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Today’s world can feel divided. Students voice the need to connect with their peers and communities. Now more than ever, young people need the skills to navigate and bridge societal divides, contributing to a more harmonious and productive world.

Initiatives like the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Paideia Program integrate civic engagement, service, and discourse into the student experience, preparing future leaders to navigate complex social challenges with empathy and insight. The Netter Center for Community Partnerships fosters deep connections between Penn and Philadelphia-area neighbors through collaborative, service-learning initiatives that promote civic engagement, educational equity, and social impact.

The following areas offer educational and community programming to foster a more connected, collaborative society.

A group of women standing together in an indoor setting with wooden paneling and chairs in the background.

Cultural Resource Centers

Enriching the campus environment through academic engagement, cultural celebration, and community building.

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A young student athlete is shown in a starting position on the track at Franklin Field at the University of Pennsylvania, with an adult crouching next to him and looking onward.

Netter Center for Community Partnerships

Empowering students and local residents to collaborate on real-world solutions through academically based service-learning programs.

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A group of students sitting in a circle at the University of Pennsylvania's Van Pelt-Dietrich Library Center, engaged in a discussion.

SNF Paideia Program

Expanding opportunities for informed civil discourse, wellness, service, and citizenship across the undergraduate experience.

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A group of people engaged in a discussion in a modern, well-lit setting.

School of Social Policy & Practice (SP2)

Preparing students to address complex social issues through interdisciplinary education and research.

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College Hall on the University of Pennsylvania campus in Philadelphia.

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