News & Press

Penn’s School of Social Policy & Practice launches nation’s first practice doctor of nonprofit administration

SP2 is proud to announce the launch of the Doctor of Nonprofit Administration (DNPA), the first practice-based doctoral program in the nation focused exclusively on leadership for nonprofit…

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SP2 announces “The Anxious Generation” as One Book, One SP2 selection

Penn’s School of Social Policy & Practice (SP2) has announced the selection of “The Anxious Generation:  How the Great Rewiring of Childhood is Causing an Epidemic…

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Alumni Q&A | Ayesha Amin, MSSP’18

SP2 alumna Ayesha Amin, MSSP’18, is a feminist activist, gender expert, and founder of Baithak – Challenging Taboos, a women-led grassroots organization advancing gender justice, sexual and reproductive…

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SP2 alumna reflects on the enduring power of a social work education 

Seven decades after graduating from Penn’s School of Social Work, Sonia Triester, MSW’55, remains deeply connected to the School and its mission.

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Alumni Q&A | Rosemary (Rosie) Frasso, PhD ’11

SP2 alumna Rosemary (Rosie) Frasso, PhD ’11, is a health equity researcher, public health educator, and the Victor Heiser, MD Professor of Population Health at Jefferson’s College…

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Report: Newark guaranteed income pilot shows positive financial, health, family, and housing impacts 

New research from the Center for Guaranteed Income Research (CGIR) at Penn’s School of Social Policy & Practice (SP2) offers insight into the efficacy of different forms of unconditional…

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SP2 celebrates 2025 Doctorate in Clinical Social Work graduates

At the 2025 Commencement ceremony for Penn’s School of Social Policy & Practice (SP2), eighteen students were awarded their Doctorate in Clinical Social Work (DSW). As part of…

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Largest-ever PhD class graduates from Penn’s School of Social Policy & Practice

At the 2025 Commencement ceremony of Penn’s School of Social Policy & Practice (SP2), eight students earned their Doctor of Philosophy in Social Welfare (PhD) degrees —…

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SP2 master’s programs celebrate partnerships & student impact 

On Thursday, May 15, Penn’s School of Social Policy & Practice (SP2) hosted its second annual Celebrating Partnerships and Student Impact event. The event brought…

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SP2 honors five accomplished alumni at 2025 hall of fame ceremony 

Five distinguished alumni of Penn’s School of Social Policy & Practice (SP2) were celebrated at the 2025 SP2 Alumni Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on…

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SP2 congratulates 2025 award winners  

Penn’s School of Social Policy & Practice (SP2) is pleased to announce the 2025 SP2 Award Winners. SP2 Award recipients were recognized for their outstanding…

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SP2 announces Linda Goler Blount as 2025 Commencement Speaker

Penn’s School of Social Policy & Practice (SP2) announced last week that Linda Goler Blount, MPH, a public health leader and the new President and CEO of…

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Project unloaded empowers chicago teens to change the narrative on guns and violence through social media

SP2’s Dr. Desmond Patton was quoted in the Chicago Tribune about Project Unloaded, a nonprofit that empowers teens to shift attitudes around guns and violence…

chicagotribune.com Project unloaded empowers chicago teens to change the narrative on guns and violence through social media

‘KPop Demon Hunters’ is attracting huge audiences worldwide – young Philadelphians told us K-pop culture inspires innocence, joy and belonging

SP2 Professor Dr. Femida Handy is coauthor of a new article in The Conversation exploring how Korean pop culture, including K-pop and K-dramas, supports mental…

theconversation.com ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ is attracting huge audiences worldwide – young Philadelphians told us K-pop culture inspires innocence, joy and belonging

States with the Most Underprivileged Children (2025)

SP2's Dr. Johanna Greeson was featured in a WalletHub article exploring the challenges facing underprivileged children across the U.S. As part of the expert panel,…

wallethub.com States with the Most Underprivileged Children (2025)

For families left reeling from murder-suicide, there are few places to turn to for support

SP2 Assistant Professor Dr. Millan AbiNader was quoted in a Prism article examining the unique challenges faced by survivors of murder-suicides. AbiNader discusses how coercive…

prismreports.org For families left reeling from murder-suicide, there are few places to turn to for support

Map Shows 18 States Where Americans Have Received a Basic Income in 2025

Dr. Amy Castro, co-founder of the Center for Guaranteed Income Research (CGIR), was featured in Newsweek discussing the growing momentum behind guaranteed income programs across…

newsweek.com Map Shows 18 States Where Americans Have Received a Basic Income in 2025

How AI, Apps & Blockchain Are Revolutionizing Philanthropy

Katherina Rosqueta of the Center for High Impact Philanthropy (CHIP) was featured on the Inspired Money Podcast in an episode titled “How AI, Apps &…

youtube.com How AI, Apps & Blockchain Are Revolutionizing Philanthropy

Disaster simulation trains nursing students in mass casualty incident response

The School of Nursing, in partnership with SP2, Penn Medicine, and Public Safety, hosted a disaster simulation where graduate nursing students treated volunteer actors in…

penntoday.upenn.edu Disaster simulation trains nursing students in mass casualty incident response

What Happens When You Give Students $50 a Week?

Dr. Stacia West, co-founder and director of SP2's Center for Guaranteed Income Research (CGIR), shares insights in a new Education Week article exploring the impact…

edweek.org What Happens When You Give Students $50 a Week?

SNAP cuts have Philadelphia’s food banks nervous about increased needs

Dr. Stacia West of the Center for Guaranteed Income Research (CGIR) was quoted in a recent Billy Penn article on how deep cuts to the…

billypenn.com SNAP cuts have Philadelphia’s food banks nervous about increased needs

How to Use Your Smartphone – and Protect Your Mental Health

In a U.S. News article on how smartphones affect mental health and well-being, Dr. Desmond Patton shares insights on doomscrolling, digital detoxes, and AI. He…

health.usnews.com How to Use Your Smartphone – and Protect Your Mental Health

Improving Support for Family Caregivers

Dr. Meredith Doherty spoke at a National Academies workshop on family caregiving, highlighting the mental and physical toll caregivers face and how societal investment can change outcomes. 

nationalacademies.org Improving Support for Family Caregivers

California Cities To See Minimum Wage Change on July 1

Several California cities implemented minimum wage increases this month. SP2's Dr. Ioana Marinescu spoke with Newsweek about what these changes could mean for employment and…

newsweek.com California Cities To See Minimum Wage Change on July 1