Building pathways to opportunity: A Q&A with Lori Margolin, MSW’82  

Lori Margolin, MSW’82, has spent her versatile career advancing opportunities for individuals and communities through roles in government, corporate, nonprofit, and now higher education leadership. Currently the Vice President of Strategic Initiatives, Continuing Education, and Workforce Development at Hudson County Community College, she traces the foundation of her professional path back to her time at Penn’s School of Social Policy & Practice (SP2), then known as the School of Social Work. At Penn, she found supportive faculty, lasting peer relationships, and an internship that helped clarify her interests and passions. In this Q&A, Lori reflects on what drew her to SP2’s Master of Social Work (MSW) program, the accomplishments she’s most proud of, and what she looks forward to in the next chapter of her work.

Why did you choose Penn and SP2? 

I chose Penn’s MSW program due to the reputation of the School and the University, as well as access to the extensive resources Penn offers. It was my first choice. 

What did you like the most about your experience at SP2? What would you consider the key takeaways? 

What stands out most about my experience at SP2 are the close bonds I formed with my fellow students, the supportive faculty and staff, and the knowledge and perspective I gained from my coursework and internship. The internship was incredibly valuable in helping me clarify my interests and passions. 

What led you to your current position? 

My career has been extremely rewarding and includes work in city government, corporate and nonprofit settings, and now higher education. The common thread across these roles was the skills required for success in each setting. Working across settings gave me a broader perspective and a more diverse set of experiences, which strengthened my ability to lead and problem-solve.  

I am currently Vice President of Strategic Initiatives, Continuing Education, and Workforce Development at Hudson County Community College in New Jersey. Moving into higher education gave me the opportunity to challenge myself in a new setting while continuing to give back to my community using the skills that had been central to my previous success.  

What professional accomplishments have been most meaningful to you, and why? 

Two efforts stand out. One is the development of an academic and workforce program for incarcerated and previously incarcerated individuals, providing the opportunity to transform their lives through education. This is one of a few programs nationwide based in a county jail, with both virtual learning and in-person support, that leads to an associate degree.  

The other was a workforce program launched in the early days of the pandemic, focused on financial services and technology. With support from both private foundations and government funds, the program has been scaled and sustained, resulting in hundreds of individuals gaining skills and credentials that prepare them for family sustaining careers.  
 
These are two of the most meaningful to me because of the transformative impact on students’ lives.  
 

What are you looking forward to in your career, and how do you think your SP2 experience has or will impact your professional path? 

My SP2 experience was the foundation upon which I built my career, helped inform my perspective, and resulted in a degree with the versatility that allowed me to be successful in many sectors. Having Penn SP2 on my resume also opened doors. Looking ahead, I am excited to continue my career in higher education and work with partner organizations to make a difference. I value being able to have a career in organizations where I could thrive professionally and have the satisfaction of supporting a worthy mission. I look forward to continuing that work.