A DIVERSE AND WELCOMING STUDENT COMMUNITY
Inclusion is more than just a commitment; it’s at the very core of SP2.
Now and throughout our history, the School of Social Policy & Practice has been dedicated to the principles of anti-racism, anti-oppression, intersectionality, inclusion, diversity, and social justice. That commitment has never been as important as it is today.
Our students, from all identities and experiences, embody these values in both theory and practice. They bring them to life every day by engaging in innovative policy and research, doing work that makes a real difference here in Philadelphia and beyond, and tirelessly fighting for equity and justice.
The Racism Sequence
Learn more about SP2’s Racism Sequence, a groundbreaking curriculum that explores institutionalized forms of racism and discrimination in America, and how it informs the education of our students and the role we play in promoting social justice.
DEI in the Curriculum
SP2’s focus on social justice demands an interdisciplinary, intersectional, and engaged commitment to recognizing and valuing the innumerable identities, experiences, histories, and aspirations that animate our local and global community. This commitment permeates all five of our rigorous degree programs (MSW, MSSP, NPL, DSW, and PhD), helping to bind those programs to SP2’s comprehensive mission: producing the best social service providers, policymakers, and nonprofit leaders in the world.
Students Making a Difference
From working on refugee resettlement policy to exploring the educational experiences of transgender youth, our students are making an impact on the lives of traditionally marginalized communities.
One Book, One SP2
Each year, SP2 selects a book to be read by students, faculty, staff, and alumni prior to beginning the academic year. Throughout the school year, the community is invited to participate in activities and discussions related to that year’s work. One Book, One SP2 underscores our commitment to social justice, and supports Penn’s Compact 2022, which motivates community members to innovate, be radically inclusive, and positively impact their local, national, and global communities.
RESEARCH
Research at SP2
Our students, faculty, and staff engage in ground-breaking research on topics related to identity, immigration, and racism, enhancing the School’s understanding of how personal, cultural, and social factors impact important issues within marginalized communities.
STUdent organizations
Connecting with Peers; Becoming Allies
SP2 is home to student organizations devoted to supporting one another, including the Association of Black Social Workers and the ASW Collective.
The Penn Experience: Racism, Reconciliation, and Engagement
This non-credit asynchronous online course aims to establish common language and concepts for incoming graduate and professional students to facilitate conversations about race, racism, and difference in the classroom and beyond. Using video interviews, presentations, short readings, and podcasts, the course highlights the significance of Penn’s and Philadelphia’s history of racism, Penn’s evolving relationship to West Philadelphia, and Penn’s efforts toward greater engagement and inclusion. Modules also focus on harm, healing and transformative justice; different forms of oppression; gender identity; equity and access to healthcare; and social determinants of health. One module designed primarily for white students addresses the antiracist work that must be done to dismantle white privilege and white supremacy while another module addresses racial literacy and racial stress for students of color.
Launched in June 2020, the course was developed through a partnership between the School of Social Policy & Practice and the School of Dental Medicine. In 2021 (version 2.0 of the course), additional schools/programs joined the partnership. The four course directors are responsible for developing and revising content based on feedback from colleagues and students.
Beverley Crawford, DDS
(she/her/hers)
Associate Professor
Director of Diversity & Inclusion
School of Dental Medicine
Jessie Harper, EdD
(she/her/hers)
Director of Inclusion Education & Social Justice Scholars
School of Social Policy & Practice
Amy Hillier, MSW, PhD
(she/her/hers)
Associate Professor
School of Social Policy & Practice
Arlene Rivera Finkelstein, Esq
(she/her/hers)
Associate Dean for Equity & Justice
Chief DEI Officer
Carey Law School
Each participating school or program implements the course differently, including the timing, modules required, and grade/credit issued. For more information about how the course is implemented across schools, please reach out to the specific school contact.
- Carey Law School: Arlene Rivera Finkelstein
arfinkel@law.upenn.edu - Graduate School of Education: Leland McGee
lelandmc@upenn.edu - Master of Public Health Program: Elaine Weigelt
Elaine.Weigelt@pennmedicine.upenn.edu - School of Social Policy & Practice: Amy Hillier
ahillier@upenn.edu - School of Dental Medicine: Beverley Crawford
beverlyc@upenn.edu - School of Veterinary Medicine: Roderick Gilbert
rgilbe2@vet.upenn.edu - Weitzman School of Design: Matt Miller
drmatt@design.upenn.edu
The course content is revised each year to reflect student feedback and new ideas and events at Penn and in the world. Version 3.0 includes 10 modules with an estimated completion time of 10-12 hours. Students are required to complete short assessments, including close-ended and open-ended questions designed to highlight key point and encourage personal reflection, at the end of each module.
These video clips provide examples of the voices and topics included in the course.
In fall 2021, we hired outside consultants Sukey Blanc and Michelle Day to conduct an external evaluation including interviews and focus groups.
We completed an internal evaluation of the course after the first year.
Peer-review manuscripts are under review with the Journal of Social Work Education and Journal of Dental Education.
Penn Today included a story about course in 2021. View it here.
Events
04/28
NPL Student-Led Nonprofit Leadership Retreat
NPL students will enjoy a spring day at the Morris Arboretum! Lunch will be provided. After soaking up the natural wonders of the arboretum, participants will head over to Triple […]
Events
04/29
AI: Turning Things Towards Social Good in an Era of Fast-paced Change- Virtual Workshop
Matt Williams, born and raised in Philadelphia, is dedicated to working on data-based projects and enterprises. He serves as the Chief Technical Officer of Technical Difficulties AI. Matt and Keith […]
News
Faculty & Research
04/23
Exploring sustainable development & the human impact of natural disasters
What factors allow people to prepare for and recover from natural disasters? Dr. Chenyi Ma, a research assistant professor at Penn’s School of Social Policy & Practice (SP2), conducts interdisciplinary research that investigates the role of inequality in disasters’ impact and points to policy solutions.