Student Blogs

Wonder what it's like to be a student at Penn GSE? Want to know what your classmates are working on, or how they balance their classes with their lives?

Check out the GSE student blogs, a collection of blogs written and managed by Penn GSE students. They write about classes, assistantships, city life, working - you name it.

Students generally update their blogs weekly, so check back often! (BTW, their remarks are all their own and go live without getting "cleaned up" by the School.)

• Kevin Beckford from Vineland, NJ

  • M.S.Ed. student, Teacher Education Program - Secondary Education
  • B.A., African American Studies and Political Science from Yale University
  • In his own words: “I chose Penn GSE because of the program’s dedication to teaching for social justice.”

• Ryan Copeland from Waterville, ME

  • M.S.Ed. student, Teacher Education Program - Elementary Education
  • B.A., English from the University of Massachusetts
  • In his own words: “I chose the TEP at Penn for its unique focus on teaching in urban contexts and its social justice lense.”

• Alexis George from Houston, TX

  • M.S.Ed. student, Higher Education
  • B.A., Psychology from the University of Texas at Austin
  • In her own words: “I chose Penn GSE for its commitment to student well-being, global perspectives and connections, and the exciting atmosphere of Penn and Philadelphia. The close bonds among the cohorts and the opportunity to meet a wide variety of people from different countries, backgrounds, and viewpoints was one of the most important things I was looking for in a graduate program. GSE provides those relationships as well as the chance to gain valuable experience and wisdom from practiced faculty and staff.”

• Melissa Kapadia-Bodi from Philadelphia, PA

  • Ed.D. student, Reading/Writing/Literacy
  • B.A., English from Temple University; M.S.Ed., Reading/Writing/Literacy from Penn GSE
  • In her own words: "I chose GSE, and specifically RWL, because I'm interested in the intersections of learning and issues of social justice.  As I've found in my program and as I write about in my blog, the RWL program has really nurtured and stretched my interest in taking a critical approach to learning, literacy, and power in the workplace and beyond."

• Xixi Meng from Xi'an/Guangzhou, China

  • M.S.Ed. student, Higher Education
  • B.S., Communication from the University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point
  • In her own words: “I decided to apply to Penn GSE because of its excellent global reputation and its emphasis on both academic research and students’ professional development. The deciding factor that drew me to GSE was the exceptionally close bond that faculty and staff were striving to build with their students. Even though mine is only a one-year program, I have no doubt that the relationships established here will last a lifetime.”

• Corrie Park from Hacienda Heights, CA

  • M.S.Ed. student, Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages
  • B.A., English Literature from the University of California, Berkeley
  • In her own words: “I chose Penn GSE because it affords me the flexibility to explore the different avenues within the TESOL program. Penn provides a program that not only allows me to learn and explore different theories  but provides the opportunity to apply them as well.”

• Christopher Rogers from Chester, PA

  • M.S.Ed. student, Reading/Writing/Literacy
  • B.S., Business Administration from Villanova University
  • In his own words: “I’m a local guy. Being at Penn gives me an international perspective while placing me at the forefront of new research in the field.”

• Jamey Rorison from Pittsburgh, PA

  • Ph.D. student, Higher Education
  • B.A., Elementary Education from University of Pennsylvania; M.S.Ed., Higher Education from Penn GSE
  • In his own words: "Honestly, I chose Penn GSE for my doctoral studies because of the higher education faculty. I couldn't imagine finding a more supportive group of brilliant scholars who balance scholarly productivity and investment in their students anywhere else."

• Marcus Wright from Philadelphia, PA

  • M.S.Ed. student, Learning Science & Technologies
  • B.A., Sociology from Rutgers University
  • In his own words: "I chose Penn because it is a stellar University with countless options to help you grow yourself, your education, and your career."

• Mark Vincent B. Yu from Guam, USA

  • M.S.Ed. student, Counseling and Mental Health Services
  • B.A., Psychology and Sociology from the University of Guam
  • In his own words: “The distinction and versatility of the C.M.H.S. program, dynamic city life, venerable faculty and accommodating staff members, and the university’s commitment to diversity are the top reasons why I chose Penn GSE.”