The future of our nation and our world depend upon education more than any other factor.

The challenges and opportunities of our time demand that broadly accessible, high-quality education impart the skills, knowledge, and values that are the foundation of civic responsibility and economic prosperity. 

In keeping with Dean Grossman’s vision of access and inclusion, practical knowledge, powerful partnerships, and innovation for impact, Penn GSE is unleashing the power of possibility. We are building a diverse pipeline of the educators, leaders, counselors, researchers, entrepreneurs, innovators, and policymakers our world needs, who are equipped to navigate a new era with energy and creativity.

Our faculty, students, and alumni engage in hybrid and student-centered, active learning in a variety of environments, including pre-K–12, higher education, corporate learning, and vocational training, opening doors for learners across the globe.

We invite you to learn about some of the many ways in which Penn GSE is bringing hope and opportunity for the next era by preparing the citizenry and the workforce of the future:

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“Penn GSE is powering the future of education with a new generation of trailblazers—from educators to entrepreneurs. We are developing new and replicable models that meet the needs of urban communities, integrate with health and social services, bring cutting-edge instructional approaches to students, and enrich education professionals.”
—Dean Pam Grossman, #PennGSE

Support the power of possibility.

Penn GSE is at the forefront of expanding education’s reach, boosting its effectiveness, and bringing opportunity to a broad range of learners and communities. Only you can make our work possible and change the lives of learners locally, nationally, and globally.

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Producing the next generation of educational leaders

Penn GSE’s deep commitment to educational leadership could not be more relevant as schools, institutions, and organizations enter a new era. Penn GSE’s expertise in educational leadership spans research and practice, and the School’s impact is unique in its reach across K–12, higher education, and corporate learning.

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Enhancing democracy by preparing leaders and citizens

To become active and informed citizens, young people must discover how to think critically about current issues and engage with their communities. Penn GSE students and faculty are advancing citizenship education by expanding educational access and preparing young people to participate in U.S. civic life.

Penn GSE’s dean and faculty are onstage wearing graduation caps and gowns, applauding with smiles on their faces during a commencement ceremony.

Attracting and retaining world-class faculty

Penn GSE faculty are shaping the field of education in a changing and challenging landscape across pre-K–12 and higher education. Throughout their work, they remain deeply committed to teaching, mentoring, and providing research experience to give their students the best possible educational experience.

Two graduate students are sitting at a desk in a classroom, with other students seen in the background. One student takes notes while conversing, the other student looks down.

Providing access to education through scholarship support

Penn GSE seeks to recruit the finest students to become the educators and leaders the world needs, regardless of their ability to afford a Penn GSE education. Our graduates go on to lead as college presidents, school principals, superintendents, teachers, counselors, researchers, entrepreneurs, innovators, policymakers, and more. 

Elementary school children sit on the floor with their hands raised inside a colorful classroom.

Advancing early childhood education

Children’s learning opportunities from birth through age eight lay a critical foundation for their future well-being and school success. Faculty and students across Penn GSE work to improve early childhood education, pursuing mutually beneficial partnerships with communities, families, and educators to unlock opportunity for the youngest children.

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Propelling the field of learning sciences and technologies

Through learning sciences and technologies, Penn GSE is transforming learning environments and curricula to better reach students. Our award-winning faculty prepare students to pursue fulfilling and creative careers as educators, researchers, and developers of next-generation curricula, technology-enriched learning environments, and instructional programs.

A rendering of the Penn GSE building expansion shows a lobby with a front desk, wide staircase, and spaces where individuals are seated.

Building innovative and state-of-the-art learning spaces

Penn GSE is embarking upon a building expansion that will keep the School—and the future educators and leaders we produce—at the forefront of a new era in education. The result will be a state-of-the-art, interdisciplinary hub for Penn GSE’s nearly 1,400 students to learn side by side as they prepare to transform lives through education.

Faces of Philanthropy

Andrew Harris Jacobson, WG’93, and Marina Kunis Jacobson, G’93, WG’93

Andrew Harris Jacobson, WG’93, and Marina Kunis Jacobson, G’93, WG’93, support Penn GSE in its mission to remain at the forefront of education, both nationally and internationally.

Steven Wagshal, W’94, and Emily Loft-Wagshal

Steven Wagshal, W’94, and his wife, Emily Loft-Wagshal, support Penn GSE in its efforts to improve the academic and life outcomes of Philadelphia children and youth.

Heather Hairston

Gifts for financial aid are helping exceptionally talented and dedicated students focus on their academic and professional pursuits at Penn GSE.

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Only you can make our work possible and change the lives of learners around the world. Your support helps ensure Penn GSE’s present and future through annual giving, gift planning, or establishing a named and endowed fund for educational leadership, citizenship education, professorships, scholarship and fellowship, early childhood education, learning sciences and technologies, or facilities and technology.

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Contact Us

Thank you for your interest in, and support for, our important work. All gifts, great or small, make a difference. Contact us to learn more:

Penn GSE Office of Development & Alumni Relations
University of Pennsylvania
Graduate School of Education
3700 Walnut Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104
(215) 573-6623
alumni@gse.upenn.edu

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