News & Press

SP2 master’s programs celebrate partnerships & student impact

SP2 held its third annual Celebrating Partnerships and Student Impact event on May 14, honoring master's students and community partners across the Greater Philadelphia area.

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SP2 honors five accomplished alumni at 2026 Hall of Fame ceremony

The University of Pennsylvania's School of Social Policy & Practice celebrated five distinguished alumni at its 2026 Hall of Fame induction ceremony on May 17.

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SP2 congratulates 2026 award winners

Penn's School of Social Policy & Practice recognized outstanding student and faculty achievements at its 2026 Commencement ceremony on May 16.

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Leading with Purpose: A Q&A with Aldustus (A.J.) Jordan, MSW’00

Aldustus (A.J.) Jordan, MSW'00, president of the Vanguard Group Foundation, reflects on how SP2's values-driven education shaped his community-centered leadership.

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Voting is linked to living longer

A new study co-authored by SP2's Femida Handy shows that among older adults, voting is associated with reduced mortality risk for up to 15 years.

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Equipping Students and Nonprofits for Impact: A Q&A with Dr. ChiaKo Hung

Assistant Professor Dr. ChiaKo Hung discusses data-driven approaches in nonprofit financial management and philanthropy, and how he equips students with practical career skills.

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SP2 launches social work affiliate program with HUP and CHOP

Penn's SP2, in partnership with HUP and CHOP, has launched a first-of-its-kind social work affiliate program connecting hospital social workers with academic research and professional…

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SP2 announces alumnus Dr. Shadrack Osei Frimpong as 2026 commencement speaker

SP2 alumnus Dr. Shadrack Osei Frimpong, NPL'19, a global health leader focused on occupational neurology, will deliver the School's 2026 Commencement address on May 16.

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

Lori Margolin, MSW'82, Vice President of Strategic Initiatives at Hudson County Community College, reflects on how her SP2 education shaped a versatile career across government,…

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Shaping the next generation of social workers: A Q&A with Julie Cederbaum, PhD’09

Julie Cederbaum, PhD'09, now a professor at USC, reflects on how SP2's interdisciplinary graduate group model and lasting peer relationships shaped her career as a…

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SP2 and CHOP launch National Consortium of Pediatric Health Care Social Work Leadership

SP2 and CHOP launch the National Consortium of Pediatric Health Care Social Work Leadership, a new academic-community partnership uniting pediatric social work leaders nationwide.

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Shaping the future of responsible AI: A Q&A with Daniel S. Schiff, MSSP’13

Daniel S. Schiff, MSSP'13, now an assistant professor and co-director of the Governance and Responsible AI Lab at Purdue University, reflects on how SP2 shaped…

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AI tools fail at most real-world jobs, but workers still fear being replaced 

In PhillyVoice, Dr. Ioana Marinescu explains that while generative AI can handle certain routine or cognitive tasks, it struggles to perform the full range of activities…

phillyvoice.com AI tools fail at most real-world jobs, but workers still fear being replaced 

‘A long bridge’: These programs can help foster care youth attend — and succeed at — college 

Sarah Wasch, Associate Director of The Field Center, was featured in Billy Penn discussing barriers foster youth face in college and highlighting campus resources that can help…

billypenn.com ‘A long bridge’: These programs can help foster care youth attend — and succeed at — college 

The afterlife of MLK’s call for a guaranteed income

Dr. Stacia West of SP2’s Center for Guaranteed Income Research (CGIR) joined Make Me Smart to explain how guaranteed income, long advocated by Martin Luther…

marketplace.org The afterlife of MLK’s call for a guaranteed income

Trump Says ‘Housing First’ Failed the Homeless. Here’s What the Evidence Says. 

Dr. Dennis Culhane told The New York Times that Housing First’s primary goal is to end homelessness, and the evidence shows it works, pointing to dramatic reductions…

nytimes.com Trump Says ‘Housing First’ Failed the Homeless. Here’s What the Evidence Says. 

How do “widgets” fit into our services-based economy?

Dr. Ioana Marinescu spoke with Marketplace about how measuring productivity in a services-driven economy is harder than counting manufacturing "widgets."

marketplace.org How do “widgets” fit into our services-based economy?

Most Caring Cities in America (2026) 

Dr. Johanna Greeson shared insights with WalletHub for its Most Caring Cities in America report on how cities can better support children, families, and caregivers. 

wallethub.com Most Caring Cities in America (2026) 

Time banks could ease the burden of elder care and promote connection 

Dr. Chao Guo coauthored an article in The Conversation exploring how time banking—a community-based system that trades services using time as currency—could help address rising…

theconversation.com Time banks could ease the burden of elder care and promote connection 

Did Trump accidentally boost direct giving? 

Katherina (Kat) Rosqueta, founding executive director of the Center for High Impact Philanthropy (CHIP), told Vox that children’s savings accounts are a proven way to build…

vox.com Did Trump accidentally boost direct giving? 

Elon Musk says that in 10 to 20 years, work will be optional and money will be irrelevant thanks to AI and robotics 

Dr. Ioana Marinescu told Fortune that while Elon Musk predicts AI and robotics will make work “optional” in the next decade or two, the technological and economic…

fortune.com Elon Musk says that in 10 to 20 years, work will be optional and money will be irrelevant thanks to AI and robotics 

Lessons from the dead: CDC reporting system helping prevent violent deaths 

Dr. Millan AbiNader was featured on The Nation’s Health Podcast by the American Public Health Association, discussing how the CDC’s National Violent Death Reporting System is…

rss.com Lessons from the dead: CDC reporting system helping prevent violent deaths 

Should recent layoffs at major companies worry you? Experts weigh in 

Dr. Ioana Marinescu told ABC News that recent layoffs at companies like Amazon, UPS, and Verizon don’t yet signal widespread job losses, noting it’s too early to attribute cuts…

abcnews.go.com Should recent layoffs at major companies worry you? Experts weigh in 

White House launches foster care program; Philly child welfare experts hopeful but see gaps in prevention, housing and relationships 

Dr. Johanna Greeson was featured on WHYY discussing the White House’s new foster care executive order, emphasizing prevention, housing, and lasting relationships beyond scholarships. 

whyy.org White House launches foster care program; Philly child welfare experts hopeful but see gaps in prevention, housing and relationships