Alumni Stories

Share Your Story

Penn GSE welcomes news of how our alumni are educating, leading, and innovating to shape the future of education. We hope you will draw inspiration from the stories we’ve shared on Penn GSE social media and take a moment to share your work with us.


Learn More About Our Share Your Story Campaign

Lauren in a suit sitting on a desk surrounded by awards, framed diplomas, a model rocket, plants, space images, and sports memorabilia.
December 23, 2024
Homeroom: Lauren Goodwin's journey from NASA to neuroscience

The researcher and entrepreneur, who was formerly the CIO for for NASA's Johnson Space Center, gives a tour of her office including her launch photos and neurotech device. 

  • Education Innovation & Entrepreneurship
  • Higher Education
  • Alumni
Four photos in a square over the text “Penn GSE 2024 Stories.” Clockwise from top left: Dean Katharine Strunk, a man sitting in the back of a classroom with data superimposed over him, PLN Director Lara Paparo speaking into a microphone with Thinkify executives seated beside her, and Associate Professor Brooks Bowden.
December 20, 2024
Our top stories of 2024

Look back with us at some of the stories that defined 2024 for our community.

  • Philadelphia Impact
  • Together for Good
  • Education Innovation & Entrepreneurship
  • Education Policy & Analysis
  • Higher Education
  • Teaching & Learning
  • Alumni
  • News from Penn GSE
An illustration of a smartphone, magazine, and newspaper with a coronavirus image
December 18, 2024
The Critical Cultivation of Media Literacy

As teachers and researchers, Penn GSE alumni are at the forefront of the movement to educate savvy news readers who can parse fact from partisan fiction

  • Language, Literacy & Culture
  • Teaching & Learning
  • Alumni
Randy Hayward holds up a frame containing a boxing robe of Muhammad Ali using white gloves to share it with a group of students.
December 13, 2024
The Museum As Classroom
Penn GSE alumni use their passion for education to teach learners of all ages through exhibits, outreach, and special collections.

 

 
  • Philadelphia Impact
  • Teaching & Learning
  • Alumni
November 25, 2024
Penn GSE alum’s Financial Viability Index shines in Philadelphia Inquirer investigation

Julee Gard — Vice President for Administration & Finance at the University of St. Francis in Illinois — has gained attention for her model’s ability to provide institutional leaders with actionable insights to enhance financial stability.

  • Philadelphia Impact
  • Education Innovation & Entrepreneurship
  • Education Policy & Analysis
  • Higher Education
  • Alumni
River Coello
October 10, 2024
Reconnecting with Their Roots: River Coello, GED’15

The published poet and researcher has a new collection, "HAMPI," out now.

  • Education Policy & Analysis
  • Alumni
The Practioner–Scholar: The PennCLO Podcast title card, featuring a view of Philadelphia City Hall's clocktower from North Broad Street set in blue
October 4, 2024
PennCLO Podcast shares success stories from students, grads, and faculty

The podcast was recently renewed for a second season after a successful pilot run, and producers are planning an even more engaging and interactive experience for listeners.

  • Education Innovation & Entrepreneurship
  • Leadership
  • Alumni
Kandi stands in a New York City street in a bright green top in front of a yellow taxi.
August 29, 2024
Protecting against burnout

Kandi Wiens’ latest book aims to help readers build resilience to stress and heal their relationship to work.

  • Leadership
  • Alumni
  • News from Penn GSE
Fabiola Lara stands wearing a medical mask with a woman artisan outdoors in Oaxaca, Mexico, holding and examining a pile of threads, with more threads hanging behind them.
August 20, 2024
GSE Alum empowers communities with artisanal crafts and education

Fabiola Lara’s business, tlali•pani, emphasizes providing education to the artisans that they partner with. 

  • Global Initiatives
  • Education Innovation & Entrepreneurship
  • Language, Literacy & Culture
  • Leadership
  • Alumni
Black-and-white historical photo from the 1960s of Marcus Foster wearing a suit and tie and glasses. Black-and-white historical photo from the 1960s of Marcus Foster wearing a suit and tie and glasses.
August 12, 2024
Fostering Equity: Marcus Foster and the Scholarship that Honors Him

The Penn GSE alum and former University Trustee was a dedicated educator, transformative leader, and the first Black superintendent of a major urban school district in the US whose death inspired an outpouring of gifts from more than 450 donors in support of a scholarship for students from underserved communities. 

  • Faces of Philanthropy
  • Alumni

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