Alumni Stories

Share Your Story

Penn GSE welcomes news of how our alumni are educating, leading, and innovating to shape the future of education. We hope you will draw inspiration from the stories we’ve shared on Penn GSE social media and take a moment to share your work with us.


Learn More About Our Share Your Story Campaign

A photo of red and blue balloons with the Penn GSE logo appears beside a blue panel that says “Penn GSE Alumni Weekend 2021.”
June 21, 2021
Alumni share lessons from leading in times of uncertainty

Three distinguished Penn GSE alumni shared their perspectives on finding strength in the face of adversity, supporting mental health, and rallying to improve social justice.

  • Higher Education
  • Leadership
  • Teaching & Learning
  • Alumni
A digital world map lit up by several points of light against a navy blue background. Icons symbolizing people are linked by beams across the map and beyond. A headline reads, “Engaging Graduates.”
May 17, 2021
Engaging Graduates: Penn GSE Launches Alumni Leadership Board

Thirteen inaugural members are working to help Penn GSE create spaces for graduates to have meaningful engagement leading to continued professional growth.

  • Leadership
  • Alumni
Red and blue balloons with Penn GSE logo
May 17, 2021
Recognizing the extraordinary impact of Penn GSE alumni

Each year, Penn GSE recognizes the extraordinary impact of the alumni community during the annual Celebration of Educators programming.

  • Alumni
Headshot of Laura Overdeck
December 4, 2020
Penn GSE Homecoming @ Home highlights Bedtime Math and awardees

Penn GSE’s Homecoming @ Home honored five outstanding graduates and featured Laura Bilodeau Overdeck, WG’95, founder and president of Bedtime Math, a nonprofit that works to help kids love math.

  • Teaching & Learning
  • Alumni
Headshots of David Roberts (left) and Doug Korn (right) appear with a boxed headline that says “Harnessing the Power of Education.”]
October 22, 2020
Harnessing the Power of Education: Penn GSE Board Leadership Transition

Penn GSE’s new Board of Overseers Chair, Doug Korn, W’84, and his predecessor, David Roberts, W’84, support Dean Grossman’s vision and the School’s work creating opportunity through education.

  • Leadership
  • Faces of Philanthropy
  • Alumni
The headline “Celebrating Virtually” and red and blue pennants appear above screenshots of two event videos. The screenshot on the left says. “Join us for a virtual Alumni Weekend Saturday May 16. 2020.” The screenshot on the right shows Dean Grossman smiling above the words “Dean Pam Grossman of the Graduate School of Education.”]
October 22, 2020
Celebrating Virtually

Penn Alumni Weekend and Penn GSE Commencement went virtual for 2020, keeping the University and School communities connected from afar amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

  • Alumni
  • Special Topic: COVID-19
Headshots of two alumni, a woman and a man, appear on a dark yellow background with the headline “Adapting in Times of Crisis: Penn GSE Alumni Shape Education’s Future.”
October 22, 2020
Adapting in Times of Change: Penn GSE Alumni Shape Education’s Future

The role of educators and leaders worldwide is more important than ever in today’s landscape. Four Penn GSE alumni share the challenges they have faced as while charting a promising path forward.

  • Philadelphia Impact
  • Race, Equity & Inclusion
  • Alumni
  • Special Topic: COVID-19
Headshot of Sunny Jiao
May 13, 2020
Penn GSE Community Donates 17,000 Masks to Penn Medicine

Members of the Penn GSE community have stepped forward amidst the shortage of personal protective equipment brought on by the COVID-19 crisis.

  • Education Policy & Analysis
  • Alumni
Headshots of five alumni appear in a checkerboard pattern with a blue square in the upper left that says, “Penn GSE Alumni Lead and Innovate”
May 12, 2020
Urban Impact: Penn GSE Alumni Lead and Innovate

As leaders and educators, Penn GSE alumni are making an impact in urban education across the country.

  • Leadership
  • Alumni
Wooden blocks shaped like a lightbulb inside the outline of a human profile
January 23, 2020
Propelling Change: Penn GSE Education Entrepreneurship Alumni

Locally and nationally, Penn GSE Education Entrepreneurship alumni are innovating at all levels of education, both within and beyond the classroom.

  • Education Innovation & Entrepreneurship
  • Alumni

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