New Penn GSE scholarship to open doors to future teachers and leaders

December 17, 2021
Students collaborating cheerfully on a project

A transformational new scholarship at Penn GSE will provide significant funding to diversify the nation’s pipeline of teachers and educational leaders and propel work that benefits marginalized populations.

Through the Penn GSE Empowerment Through Education Scholarship Program, Penn GSE will provide significant funding for several students in the Mid-Career Doctoral Program in Educational Leadership and the Urban Teaching Apprenticeship Program each year, awarding the scholarship to individuals who would not otherwise be able to consider enrolling in those programs. 

Intended to open doors and create opportunity, the scholarship will be awarded to future teachers and educational leaders who are members of underrepresented groups or who demonstrate a longstanding commitment to serving marginalized populations. The program aims to build a diverse, robust, and highly talented community of educators and leaders who will be positioned to reframe education in the twenty-first century, especially in underserved communities. 

“We are thrilled that this program has been made possible through the generous support of our donors,” says Penn GSE Dean Pam Grossman. “The scholarship will have an incredible impact on Penn GSE, advancing our deep commitment to access and inclusion and strengthening our efforts to create a national model that prepares teachers and educational leaders to develop and implement innovative and replicable practices. The Penn GSE Empowerment Through Education Scholarship Program will build the next generation of educators who are equipped to be change agents and address systemic challenges facing our nation’s schools.” 

Following the February 2022 application deadlines, applicants to the two programs will be considered for the scholarship’s considerable financial support. 

The deadline to apply for the Mid-Career Doctoral Program in Educational Leadership is February 1, 2022. A doctoral program leading to the Ed.D. degree, it prepares educational leaders to meet the demands of district and organizational leadership and deepens their understanding of educational organizations, instruction, and learning. Designed for working professionals, including those at senior levels of districts and organizations, the program has an executive-format schedule that allows students to attend while continuing their professional roles. The program develops productive, generative means for leaders to amplify their impact on the wider educational landscape.

The Urban Teaching Apprenticeship Program has a priority deadline of February 15, 2022. A master’s program in teacher education leading to the M.S.Ed. degree, it is a practice-focused program that prepares new teachers to enact student-centered learning and to use innovative teaching tools in urban schools. The program is premised on the belief that children are curious, creative, and competent. Through coursework and intensive field experiences, students in the program build content expertise and practical experience. Teachers leave the program inspired to use the power of teaching to deepen student learning, transform schools, and increase educational equity.

The Penn GSE Empowerment Through Education Scholarship Program is made possible through the generosity of Allison Blitzer, C’91, David Blitzer, W’91, and the Blitzer Family Foundation.