SP2
Making an Impact

Faculty & Research
Sara S. ‘Sally’ Bachman reappointed dean of Penn School of Social Policy & Practice
Bachman’s second term as the dean of the University of Pennsylvania School of Social Policy & Practice will extend to June 30, 2031.

Student Life
Penn’s School of Social Policy & Practice launches nation’s first practice doctorate in nonprofit administration
Penn’s School of Social Policy & Practice (SP2) is proud to announce the launch of the Doctorate in Nonprofit Administration (DNPA), the first practice-based doctoral program in the nation focused exclusively on leadership for nonprofit administrators.

Faculty & Research
Harnessing technology in research to improve well-being
As part of the Politics of Well-Being speaker series, researchers in the School of Social Policy & Practice talked about their work helping governments address social issues and creating a joy-centered framework for AI development.

Alumni
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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News
Faculty & Research
01/09

SP2 at SSWR 2026: Leading for Transformative Change
Penn’s School of Social Policy & Practice (SP2) is proud to participate in the 30th Annual Society for Social Work and Research (SSWR) Conference, taking place January 14 –18, 2026, in Washington, D.C.
News
Faculty & Research
12/19

Centering joy in AI development and implementation
PIK Professor Desmond Upton Patton and collaborators introduce a joy-informed framework designed to initiate conversations among engineers, designers, and researchers.
News
Faculty & Research
12/18

SP2 faculty, students, and alumni recognized at ARNOVA 2025 Annual Conference
SP2 celebrates the achievements of its faculty, students, and alumni recognized at the 2025 Association for Research on Nonprofit Organizations and Voluntary Action (ARNOVA) Annual Conference, held November 20 – 23 in Indianapolis, IN.
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