Dominika Jaworski, MSSP 2012 Graduate, Shares her Huffington Post Blog "B-Corps Benefits"

My interest in social business initially began during my first semester in the Masters in Social Policy program. In Professor Lamas' Financial Accounting class, I became interested in alternative models to financing non-profit activities and solving social problems. It was then when I became intrigued with the role of business in social impact.  While interning at the Wharton Program for Social Initiatives, I was first introduced to B-corps and Greyston Bakery, which is run by Wharton graduates. This 'blog entry' was originally written for our Social Policy Capstone Media Advocacy module with Dr. Susan Haas, and, upon her encouragement, I sent it off as a pitch to the Huffington Post. 

I am currently working as a microfinance researcher and involved in Wharton Professor Keith Weigelt's Building Bridges to Wealth program. 

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dominika-jaworski/b-corporations_b_1898198.html

by Dominika Jaworski, Master of Science in Social Policy 2012

My Experience in the MSW Penn Aging Concentration (PAC) by Lizza Robb, MSW 2012

It took 13 years on staff at SP2 as a graphic designer to realize that I was actually a social worker at heart.

In 2007, I was sent to photograph SP2 MSW students engaged in post-Katrina recovery work as part of the Penn in the Gulf program, and after four trips to Mississippi I realized I could no longer sit behind a computer every day. The opportunity to witness and participate in meaningful work with the victims of Hurricane Katrina stirred within me a purpose that had lain dormant, and at the close of the project I told my supervisor, Mary Mazzola, that I needed to do the MSW program. Her support then, and in the three years that followed, was unwavering.

In May 2012 I walked with my graduating class and received my master’s degree in social work with a certificate in gerontology. As a Metlife Fellow in Aging through the Penn Aging Concentration (PAC), I was provided a rare chance to pursue a clinical tract while focusing on issues of policy and direct practice that impact older adults and their caregivers. The specialized PAC trainings, coursework, and field education experience were an excellent complement to the MSW curriculum and to my first-year internship on the trauma service at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.

Just weeks before graduation, I faced a field practice encounter that called upon the entirety of my education and experience. I had spent the year interning as a counselor with home-bound older adults. My very first client and I had been fortunate to work together consistently over that period and we had developed a very strong therapeutic relationship. Over the previous few months, my client’s health had declined rapidly, and it became clear that she was nearing the end of her life. The tools I had gained at SP2 gave me the capacity and aptitude to engage with her in a forthright discussion about her wishes, and we spent many hours talking about her feelings about death and dying. I encouraged her to put her wishes in writing, but she never had the chance.

The day came when I called my client to confirm our appointment and her daughter answered. Learning that my client was in the ICU, I went to the hospital and was introduced to the medical team who requested my help in speaking with my client’s family about palliative care as further medical intervention was deemed futile. My client’s family was distraught and filled with uncertainty driven by the natural inclination to extend their loved one’s life as long as possible. After meeting with the family to discuss my client’s desire not to have her life artificially sustained, I participated in a family meeting with the medical and hospice teams. Following that meeting, I sat with my client’s family as they made the difficult decision to decline further intervention and choose hospice care.

The next morning, I received a phone call from my client’s son letting me know that his mother had passed away in the night. He said that it had been a peaceful death. It had been the death that she wanted.

The memory of this experience stirs in me a sense of gratitude and awareness that every single client interaction I have is infused with the presence of the community in which I earned my MSW. The words of my professors and classmates, the readings, the papers, the projects, the trainings, the field education and supervision, even the support of my supervisor and dean and colleagues who supported me while working and studying—when I act as a social worker, I act for and with them all in solidarity with the school’s vision for the passionate, just pursuit of social innovation, influence and impact. 

At a recent SP2 alumni event, I asked a longtime graduate now working in human resources how she feels not to be working as a social worker. With a smile she said, “Once you have your degree in social work, everything you do, you do as a social worker.”

by Lizza Robb, MSW 2012

Philanthropy Trip by Tianxue Qui, NPL Alumna

Philanthropy Trip - June 18, New York City 

I am leading a group of 11 who are entrepreneurs from China. They are here to observe and learn how philanthropy is done in the US. Everything in China happens faster than the rest of world. It is the same for the wealth creation. This group of entrepreneurs made their fortune through hard work and following their inspiring vision during the past 10 years. While the country and individuals' wealth is increasing, it's time to think about how to wisely use it.

Clarie Gaudiani, who wrote the book The Greater Good, served as the group’s first speaker. Clarie shared stories of how philanthropy drives the American economy and can save capitalism. Clarie is a wonderful speaker and really inspired the group to re-identify what philanthropy is.

In the afternoon, we visited Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors, whose President, Melissa Berman, asked the group to consider the following questions when they start their philanthropic journey:

1. Why are you giving?

2. What do you want to achieve？

3. How do you think change will happen?

4. How will you assess your progress?

My take away was: The steps are not only a road map for philanthropy, but also good for other things in life.

June 19, New York City

The traffic in the morning is terrible. Plus our driver messed up the address, so we were late for our meeting at Synergos. It's nice to see both Peggy Dulany and Bob Dunn again. Synergos is trying to build a network for philanthropists around the world, so they can share their thoughts and knowledge about philanthropy.

The world philanthropy comes from Greek, meaning Love for Human.  Peggy told us she was so stressed by work at one time so she went up a mountain. The nature restored her energy; she suddenly felt inner peace. Philanthropy not only means giving money, but also your heart, your brain and the whole of yourself.

Peggy is a fourth generation member of the Rockefeller family. How wealth should be passed down is the homework question for the group to think about. Do you have any of your own thoughts on the matter?

June 20, Philadelphia

It's great to be back to Philadelphia and great to see my colleagues at SP2! Although the weather is 95 degree!

Judy Wicks is the founder of White Dog Cafe, she shared with us her story. Judy started her restaurant in her living room. She pays a living wage to her employees; she purchases locally produced organic meat and veggies; she was the first one to use 100% recycle products and clean energy in Pennsylvania. She doesn't want to maximize her profit by lowering the cost, but her unique approach becomes her competitive advantage. After ten years, the annual revenue of the restaurant is about 5 million dollars.

Judy emphasized the four kinds of relationships: with her customers, with her employees, with the community, and with the environment. If every company had White Dog Café’s mind set, no doubt the world would be a better one.

One of Judy’s waitresses is now a world advocator for the local economy and environmental sustainable development. We admire Judy's courage, her wisdom, and her big heart, which she has for all the world.

Tianxue Qui is a graduate of the NonprofitLeadership Program and currently lives and works in Beijing, China.  After graduation from the NPL Program, Tianxue was tapped by Dean Gelles to be an SP2 employee to assist the school in its efforts to engage Chinese SP2 alumni and contacts with other higher education partners on building China’s philanthropic efforts.  She also was a liaison in SP2’s efforts to forge new academic relationships with several Chinese universities.

CTW Spring Event: Community Teamworks, Connecting SP2 with the Philadelphia Community

Community Teamworks (CTW), a SP2-wide volunteer initiative, teamed up with the Sayre Health Center to provide an outdoor health fair about nutrition, exercise, and health this past spring. The day began with Ashley Mapp, CTW Project Coordinator, welcoming the excited volunteers to the site and passing out red CTW T-shirts to honor the day of service. Held in the Cobbs Creek area of West Philadelphia, CTW volunteers set up the site, handled participant outreach, managed the vendors, and designed the obstacle courses for children.

Of all the volunteer tasks, face painting was a major hit. Children lined up patiently awaiting to be transformed into pirates, princesses, and tigers. One little girl was insistent on a certain type of butterfly design on her face. Dean Gelles picked up a paint brush and began to create the butterfly as she requested. Impressed by the design, the little girl smiled so brightly in the mirror then proceeded to show all her friends the butterfly.

More than 40 students, faculty, staff, and alumni participated in the community event. As the second project in the Community Teamworks initiative, this fair further fostered SP2’s commitment to the Philadelphia community and provided an opportunity for students, faculty, staff and alumni to connect in team-based projects.  A previous project was held at the Philadelphia Ronald McDonald house, where CTW volunteers prepared food for families with seriously ill children.

SP2ers will be happy to know that CTW has many volunteer projects coming in the future. During Pre-Orientation, students, faculty, staff and alumni will have the opportunity to paint at Comegys elementary school, located at 51th and Greenway in the Southwest section of Philadelphia.  More projects will be announced during the upcoming school year, so stay tuned for further information to follow about specific events and dates.

by Ashley Mapp, CTW Project Coordinator

You Never Get A Second Chance To Make A First Impression! by Eric Ashton

Does this sound familiar?  It was part of an advertising marketing campaign for Head & Shoulders dandruff shampoo back in the late 1980’s.  While this tag line was originally aimed at making an attractive physical impression, it can be used in other situations as well such as applying to graduate school.

Oh no he didn’t go back to the 1980’s!

Yeah I did…but the fact remains, as in most things in life, you do only get one chance to make a good first impression…

This tag line is true for individuals who are thinking of applying to graduate school, particularly here in the School of Social Policy & Practice where our students not only make a great first impression but can back it up with exemplary education and experience.  Graduate school is an investment in your professional future.  You should give thought to the degree program and institution that can give you the academic training you need to not only make a good first impression as a leader but have the right skills to succeed and thrive in a changing world.

The Nonprofit Leadership Program (NPL Program) is looking for dynamic individuals who are not afraid to do the work required to make a good first impression and are striving for an educational advantage to be innovative leaders and managers for impactful social change.   For potential applicants seeking to continue your education straight from college/university life or those of you who have been out of college for a couple of years and have decided you are ready to dive back into academic life, it is never too early to begin to think about the application process and how to increase your chances of gaining admission to this extraordinary master’s degree program.

Before any of you can launch into the heart of the NPL Program,  you have to be admitted.  The place you get the chance to make a first impression is the application process.  Here are a few tips to make the process easy and effortless: 

1. It’s not too early to begin thinking about the 2013-2014 academic year and to start your education plan to make this transition to graduate school a smooth and worry free one;    
2. Look into taking the Graduate Record Exam (GRE)  if you have not already done so.  By taking the time now to prepare and get yourself motivated to take this exam, it will allow you to glide effortlessly through the application process.  Under the new test scores for the GRE, competitive verbal scores are 155 and higher and quantitative scores of 146 and higher; 
3.  Apply Early!  This one is a no brainer.  The sooner your application is received, we can begin to process it and schedule an interview with me (interview is either here on campus or can be done via Skype).   As an incentive, the application fee is reduced to $25.00 for applications submitted by December 31^st (regular application fee is $65.00);
4. Request that copies of all transcripts from colleges and universities you attended are sent to the Admissions Office at the School of Social Policy & Practice.  The Admissions Office will keep and scan all received transcripts even if you have yet to submit your application.  Once you apply, they can check their electronic files to see if they have any transcripts that match up with you and upload the scanned transcripts into your application; and
5. Prepare for how you plan on paying for this degree.   Be sensible in researching student loans and possible scholarships or fellowships.   Do not wait to the last minute as most scholarship and fellowships have deadlines.   The NPL Program does offer scholarship for both the full-time and part-time degree options.

The on-line application for the NPL Program should go “live” the end of September and you can start your application then.  We start reviewing complete applications for admission decisions December 1^st.    Our goal is to bring in an incoming class of at least 25 in the full-time option and 15 in the part-time option.

 

We seek thoughtful individuals who want to pursue an advanced degree in leadership and management, particularly as the sectors converge and it will take those with an entrepreneurial spirit to forge sustainable responses to many of the problems facing our global community.

So while you are enjoying the summer of 2012 just remember, it’s never too early to start thinking about admission to the NPL Program for the 2013-2014 academic year.   Have fun; go to the beach; indulge yourself with an ice cream cone or water ice; take some time off from work and remember… you never get a second chance to make a good first impression!

Have a great summer!  If you have any questions I’m only an e-mail or telephone call away.

Eric D. Ashton

Senior Associate Director, NPL Program

Virtual Open House from April 11th Available for Viewing Here!

Penn School of Social Policy and Practice (SP2) will be holding a Virtual Open House HERE, on our blog, on Wednesday, April 11^th at 9:30am, Eastern Standard Time. Please note Daylight Saving Time is currently in observance.

We encourage accepted and enrolled students to join us in order to learn more about The Penn Advantage from the comforts of your home or office, wherever in the world that may be.  This session will be an excellent opportunity to talk to our Associate Deans, program directors, and staff.  If you are unable to join us on Wednesday the 11^th at 9:30am, we will post the session to our website’s homepage and you will have the opportunity to view it at your own convenience.

We look forward to chatting with you next week!

          ~The Admissions Team

Social Work Matters Proclamation: Social Work Month March 2012

March is Social Work Month; therefore, in honor of raising awareness of this often misunderstood profession and its mission, I want to state the Proclamation set forth by the National Association of Social Workers (NASW).  More information about the NASW and the field of social work can be found on their website:  http://www.socialworkers.org/pressroom/swMonth/default.asp. 

As a Master of Social Work (MSW) and Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), in my role as Associate Director of Admissions and Recruitment at the University of Pennsylvania School of Social Policy & Practice (SP2) I have the good fortune to educate people about the field on many occasions, such as recruiting events, panel discussions, classroom presentations, and individual meetings with prospective students.  I feel privileged to have the opportunity to be an advocate for the profession, a profession I vehemently believe has the power to create social change and impact the lives of individuals, families, groups, communities, and humanity.  At SP2 there is an emphasis on social change in all five of our programs and many (if not all) of the proclamation statements below can be applied to each of them.  Therefore, I urge you to take a moment to read further and request that you join me in proclaiming March as Social Work Month and sharing the message that “Social Work Matters” and offers hope.

Passionately,

Melissa Bottiglio, MSW, LCSW

“Social Work Matters

The Social Work profession has been instrumental in achieving civil rights and human rights advances in the United States and across the globe for more than a century.

The primary mission of Social Work is to enhance human well-being and help meet the basic needs of all people, especially the most vulnerable.

Programs and services provided by professional Social Workers are essential elements of the American social safety net;

Social Workers make a critical impact in adolescent and youth development; aging and family caregiving; child protection and family services; health care navigation; mental and behavioral health treatment; military and veterans assistance; nonprofit management and community development; and poverty reduction;

Social Workers function as specialists, consultants, private practitioners, educators, community leaders, policymakers and researchers;

Social Workers influence many different organizations and human service systems and are employed in workplaces ranging from private and public agencies, hospices and hospitals, schools and clinics, to businesses and corporations, military units, elected offices, think tanks and foundations;

Social Workers seek to improve social functioning and social conditions for people in emotional, psychological, economic, and/or physical need;

Social Workers are experts in care coordination, case management, and therapeutic treatment for biopsychosocial issues, and have roles in more than 50 different fields of practice;

Social Workers believe that a nation's strength depends on the ability of the majority of its citizens to lead productive and healthy lives;

Social Workers help people, who are often navigating major life challenges, find hope and new options for achieving their maximum potential;

Social Workers identify and address gaps in social systems that impede full participation by individuals or groups in society;

Therefore, in recognition that our nation would be less successful without the contributions of America's 640,000 social workers Penn School of Social Policy & Practice proclaims the month of March 2012 as Professional Social Work Month and calls upon all citizens to join with the National Association of Social Workers in celebration and support of the Social Work profession.”

Source:  http://www.naswdc.org/pressroom/swMonth/2012/proclamation.asp

MSSP Meets the Fels Policy Challenge by: Janna Frieman, MSSP class 2012

The Fels Public Policy Challenge is a policy competition open to students of all schools. After an intriguing presentation by one of our classmates about why she intended to enter (thanks, Marisa!) a few of my classmates and I decided to form a team and throw our hats in the ring. I, at least, was a little concerned that we would be at a disadvantage because we were all from the same school; diversity of perspective can sometimes be a great thing. However, our common interest in social justice and concurrent training in public policy formation turned out to be the best asset of all.

The Challenge demands that you draw up a detailed policy proposal on something new your team thinks should be in place in Philadelphia. This proposal has to include a campaign plan, preliminary budget, assessment of political and structural barriers and sources of support, and funding streams. Of course, we needed to make a strong case for the proposal itself and think through a detailed implementation plan. MSSP classes had taught us about stakeholder analysis (figuring out who's for and against you), writing policy briefs, and various aspects of program evaluation that frankly I think gave us a great edge in the competition: very little of what we were asked to do was new or unfamiliar, and some of it we had already done before. By the time the semi-finals rolled around, we were completely prepared-- overprepared-- for all of the questions the judges lobbed at us. We had spent a lot of time consulting stakeholders and thinking around the proposal, identifying potential roadblocks and brainstorming solutions. I wasn't at all surprised that we made it into the final round.

As the finals approach, I can't help but reflect on how great of an experience entering the Challenge has been. I told my team the other day that this has been the best group project I've ever done-- and I'm not one for group-work, generally. The opportunity to practice and apply some of the skills we learn in classes in a serious and competitive atmosphere has brought out the best in all of us, given us confidence in our competence, and helped to solidify our sense that we are well-positioned to be assets to our future employers. Winning the $10K prize would just be the icing on the cake.

Then again, who am I kidding. I really want that $10K.

By:  Janna Frieman, MSSP class 2012

Embarking on a new chapter: Reflections of a MSSP alum five years upon graduating, by Alisha K. Scruggs, MSSP Class of 2007 Alumnus

I entered the Master of Science in Social Policy (MSSP) program at the School of Social Policy & Practice (SP2) upon leaving the classroom. I was a Teach for America alum (Atlanta, 2003) and taught third grade in the Atlanta Public Schools. It was really hard, but what I learned from being a teacher is that every student brings unique challenges to the classroom, but all students deserve the opportunity to have access to caring adults, an engaging curriculum, and people who will help them become ready at every rung on the K-12 ladder. I loved teaching and working with students, teachers, families, and community-based organizations but sought an opportunity to better understand how what the convergence of policy, practice, and theory occurred in practice to improve the educational outcomes of students in the K-12 continuum. I researched various graduate degree programs that would be well aligned with my personal interests and career goals. I spent months looking for a program that I would feel comfortable exploring these questions and learning from my peers and faculty about what policies, institutions, programs, and strategies were in place to improve educational outcomes of all students and to further develop my understanding of policy and research. The MSSP program at SP2 was the place for me.

During my tenure in the program, I was inspired by my colleagues and faculty. I felt supported to explore strategies for improving educational outcomes and thinking about how to better involve families in urban elementary school settings. I wanted to spend time researching how to reinvigorate community partnerships and improve the academic achievement of low-income students. Part of the program included a Capstone Seminar, where I completed an internship at the American Youth Policy Forum and for the first time, walked the halls of Capitol Hill, and felt prepared to be in the driver’s seat of my forthcoming career.

In the summer of 2007, I graduated from the School of Social Policy and Practice with a Master’s degree in Social Policy. I started working for a small non-profit organization called Reach for College! where the mission was to increase the number of traditionally disadvantaged students attending postsecondary institutions. A large part of my job was to create and implement innovative programs to improve college readiness and persistence rates of first-generation college students who attended high schools in Washington, D.C. I wanted to amplify my ability to help others, so I decided to enroll in a Ph.D in Education program at George Mason University (Mason). The program I entered offered a Ph.D in Education, with a major specialization in education policy and a minor in educational leadership. Similar to the SP2 program, the doctoral program required an internship placement (at the time), and I completed my internship at a national education advocacy organization, the Education Trust, in Washington, D.C. This experience was life-changing. I worked with data sets, met with policymakers, researchers, and system heads of statewide educational entities. It was a great experience!
 
Later that year, I was commissioned to complete a quantitative report for the Office of Admissions at George Mason University. The research skills I learned in SP2 and at Mason prepared me to complete this report on what the success rates were for Pathway to Baccalaureate students. This project applied skills learned from coursework at Penn and Mason. More specifically, I completed policy briefs, researched the problems the program was supposed to address or solve, learned about the legislative history of the program, developed an evaluation plan, reviewed entities that supported and opposed the program, and predicted the future of the program. This project allowed me to conduct statistical tests, write formal reports, and present findings before a variety of audiences.  
 
I took a step back in the fall of 2010 and thought critically about where I wanted to go next. I had all of my doctoral coursework under my belt, and six years of practioner-based experience in several classrooms. I was ready to make a move from the non-profit sector and in 2011 was offered a position with the U.S. Department of Education. I am a Management and Program Analyst in the Office of Elementary and Secondary Education. In this role, I serve as a program officer and provide technical assistance to grantees. I also apply skills I have learned in my graduate coursework and real-life experiences to set, analyze, and use performance report data and use results to improve overall effectiveness and efficiency of grant programs. I have also been fortunate to serve on two Department of Education Committees, the College Completion Task Force and Combined Federal Campaign Planning Committee, where I have made tremendous connections and learned new things.
 
I was recently selected to join the 2011-2012 class of the Emerging Political Leaders Fellowship program. This program selects Teach for America alumni who have an interest in running for an elected office. I hope to become a school board member in the future and have a vision to improve the college transitions and graduation rates of all students. I am weeks away from my dissertation defense. My dissertation explored graduating seniors and university staff members’ perspectives of what may have contributed to high college completion rates of African American and Hispanic students at George Mason University. This project has been challenging, but very fulfilling at the same time. I am definitely looking forward to taking a vacation to a beach location sometime in the near future!
 
Finally, all of the experiences I had prior to entering Penn and since graduating from the MSSP program have provided me with perspective, research skills, and knowledge to address issues that I am very interested in. I feel fortunate to have graduated from the MSSP program and look forward to seeing what the future holds. Thank you for this opportunity to share my experiences.
 
Alisha K. Scruggs, Ph.D Candidate
Management and Program Analyst, U.S. Department of Education
 
"The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically...Intelligence plus character - that is the goal of true education" - Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.