The Fels Institute of Government has new faculty leaders, but many traditions are staying put, including the institute’s signature Public Policy in Practice workshops. That’s because the series fits neatly in place with the 82-year-old institute’s focus on providing students with an analytical, personal, and practical program in public administration, says John Lapinski, who co-directs Fels with Matthew Levendusky.

Michael DiBerardinis, Professor of Practice at the Fels Institute of Government, has been awarded a 2019 Civic Champion Award by CORA Services, a Philadelphia non-profit that aids children, youth, and families experiencing emotional, academic, and social challenges.

CORA presents annual Champion awards to individuals and organizations that enrich the lives of children and families in the Philadelphia region. The Civic Champion Award recognizes DiBerardinis for his longstanding commitment to creating a brighter future for local children.

Bonner Scholars, Leaders, alumni, and staff are now eligible for Fels admission benefits

On November 1, Oren Gur and Wes Weaver of the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office (DAO) joined Fels students and alumni to discuss the value and power of data in their field. Oren Gur is the Director of Research for DAO and Wes Weaver is a Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Analyst, and they shared how the DAO utilizes data to help understand how policy efforts relate to the criminal justice system in Philadelphia.

Fels Full-time and Executive MPA students visited Washington, DC, on October 25 (Career Day) to learn about different career paths and connect with alumni in the DC area. Fels Full-time MPA student Ami Patel shares her reflections below:

Our first stop was the United States Senate, where students met Meghan O’Connor `16 and learned about her journey to become the Legislative Aide for Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI). Meghan emphasized the power of networking, especially within the strong Fels network. 

Fels students were pleased to welcome Mary Ellen Iskenderian to campus on Thursday, October 3 for our Public Policy in Practice speaker series. Ms. Iskenderian is the President and CEO of Women’s World Banking, a global nonprofit devoted to giving more low-income women access to the financial tools and resources they require to achieve security and prosperity. She shared her experience and insights with Fels students and the broader Penn community through the Fels Public policy in Practice series, moderated by Elizabeth Vale, and she also met with several small groups at Penn.

Marci Hamilton prepares to share her legal and leadership experiences with Fels students

Harrisburg, PA – Governor Tom Wolf and First Lady Frances Wolf today honored eight outstanding women as this year’s Distinguished Daughters of Pennsylvania. The women were recognized for their achievements at an event at the Governor’s Residence in Harrisburg.

“These women are being recognized today because of a unique and important contribution each has made to the commonwealth,” Governor Wolf said. “They make us all PA Proud, and we are honored to name them as Distinguished Daughters of Pennsylvania.”

Economist Lauren Russell teaches students to put research into practice

Dr. David Fajgenbaum nearly died multiple times before the age of 30 in his ongoing battle with Castleman disease, a rare autoimmune disorder. Now a physician, professor, and advocate for rare disease research at the University of Pennsylvania, Fajgenbaum recounts his ordeal and search for treatment in his forthcoming book, Chasing My Cure: A Doctor's Race to Turn Hope into Action.