Cultivating compassion & building community 

Compassion was the focus of a special workshop opportunity offered last semester to faculty, staff, and students of Penn’s School of Social Policy & Practice (SP2) and Annenberg School for Communication. 

The trainings were developed by Compassion Institute, a nonprofit with the goal of advancing compassion as a guiding principle and active force in fostering a more caring world. Dr. Desmond Upton Patton, who holds joint appointments at SP2 and Annenberg as the Brian and Randi Schwartz University Professor, partnered with the organization to bring their expertise to Penn.

Dr. Patton, who utilizes the Institute’s principles of compassion in his course Journey to Joy: Designing a Happier Life, first encountered the Institute while a member of the inaugural cohort of the Obama Foundation’s Leaders USA Program. Committed to fostering compassionate leadership in higher education, Dr. Patton organized two trainings at Penn focused on increasing individual compassion skills and building community during challenging times. 

“The Compassion Institute training provided a refreshing perspective on what it means to connect and support folks within our personal and professional communities,” says Dr. Jenn Clinkscales, associate dean of student affairs at SP2, who participated in the first session. “The training provided space for me to reflect on my values, and the ways in which I join with others in their experiences.”

The trainings included group activities and opportunities for reflection led by facilitator Greg Morris, a certified teacher of Compassion Cultivation Training (CCT). Participants discussed the three key components of compassion, which the Institute defines as (1) an awareness of another’s suffering; (2) a sense of concern related to being emotionally moved by suffering; and (3) a wish to see the situation changed, accompanied by the desire to act. Then, participants explored how to intentionally cultivate and practice compassion, as well as hone skills like mindfulness, generous listening, and intention setting. 

SP2 Associate Professor/Clinician Educator and Associate Dean for Community Cultivation & Engagement Dr. Jerri Bourjolly attended the second training. “Participating in the Compassion Institute training offered an opportunity to pause and closely explore the concept of compassion and why it matters,” Dr. Bourjolly says. “The training was not only informative but also deeply insightful, challenging me to reflect on my own thoughts and actions in meaningful ways. What stood out most was the chance to connect with others, and listen to diverse perspectives in a space that was open, supportive, and engaging.” 

The Compassionate Institute training encouraged using compassion as a foundation for building bridges and strengthening community. Participants explored how the concepts of common humanity and interconnectedness can foster constructive dialogue between groups with significant differences. 

In a blog post for Compassion Institute, Dr. Patton wrote, “[The trainings] were a resounding success — equipping participants with actionable strategies for fostering supportive and inclusive environments… It’s my hope that these trainings will become embedded in the culture and practices of [SP2 and Annenberg], serving as a foundation for how we engage with one another moving forward.”