PennGSE Student Journals

Read about life at the University of Pennsylvania for seven students; follow their journals this year as they chronicle their lives at GSE and in Philadelphia. They'll be writing about classes, assistantships, homework, city life — you name it. (BTW, their remarks are all their own and go live without getting "cleaned up" by the School.)

Journals are updated weekly, so check back often!

JOY ROTHMAN

M.Ed. – Counseling and Psych. Services
B.A. – Sociology; Tulane University

Fall Courses

• Psychological Assessment
• Psychological Intervention
• Ethics
• Psychological Practicum

Her personal quotes: "I chose GSE because I felt they were as interested in having me as I was in attending. GSE has the best of both worlds – a small supportive environment with all the resources of a major university and an exciting city!"

Read Joy's Journal

CHARLES H.F. DAVIS

M.S.Ed. – Education, Culture, & Society
B.A. – English; Florida State University
M.A. – Marketing & Communications; Florida State University

Fall Courses

• Anthropology and Education
• School and Society
• Conceptual Models in School Administration
• Evolution of Assessment
• Independent Study with Drs. Shaun Harper and Ed Boe

In his own words: "Education is the most noble of all human callings. It moves individuals from passion to purpose and from gifted to greatness."

Read Charles' Journal

ELLEN LIU

M.S.Ed. – Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)
B.A. – English; Longyan University (China)

Fall Courses

• Language for Specific Purposes
• Educational Linguistics
• Approaches to Teaching English and Other Modern Languages

In his own words: "Finding your dreams at Penn"

Read Ellen's Journal

MARIANNE MALOY

M.S.Ed. – Elementary Education
B.A. – Natural Sciences; University of Vermont

Fall Courses

• Literacy in Elementary Schools
• Social Studies in Elementary Schools
• Field Seminar in Elementary Education
• Science in Elementary/Middle Schools
• Mathematics in Elementary Schools

In her own words: "I think there is a good balance between practical teaching experience and learning about theories and methods. I am learning so much about the practice of teaching and learning."

Read Marianne's Journal

JONATHAN BERHANU

M.S.Ed. – Higher Education
B.A. – Business Administration; Adelphi University

Fall Courses

• Higher Education in American Society
• Student Development in College Environments
• Professional Development in Higher Education
• History of American Higher Education
• Faculty and Academic Governance

In his own words: "Penn GSE has been ahead of the curve in researching and solving problems in higher education, and has attracted top students and researchers in the field. I came to Penn to be a part of a collective that embraces a diversity of experience and thought, and is focused on addressing issues affecting higher education. This has been the quintessential graduate experience for me, I couldn’t ask for a better program."

Read Jonathan's Journal

JESSICA REID

M.S.Ed. – Teacher Education
B.A. – History; University of Pennsylvania

Fall Courses

• Field Seminar: Secondary Education
• Teaching Middle & Secondary Schools: Social Studies
• American Education Reform History
• Interactional Processes with Adolescents

In her own words: "GSE is everything I wanted in a graduate program. With a wide range of courses, outstanding professors and administrators who care, I've had nothing but positive experiences. All this, combined with the life-long friends I've made and the countless offerings of Philadelphia, I couldn't be happier with my decision to go to GSE!"

Read Jessica's Journal

SAMANTHA SHEPARD

M.S.Ed. – Higher Education
B.A. – History; Stanford University

Fall Courses

• Professional Development in Higher Education
• History of Higher Education
• Diversity in Higher Education
• Reforming Higher Education: What We Can Learn from Other Countries
• Adolescent Development

In her own words: "Attending Penn GSE is a wonderful learning experience both intellectually and socially; a great opportunity to further your education and get to know an exciting city!"

Read Samantha's Journal