Penn’s undergraduate experience has evolved greatly since initiating academic exercises in a former church building at Fourth and Arch streets in the 18th century, today supporting upwards of 10,000 enrolled students in West Philadelphia. This intellectually and demographically diverse student body represents more than 100 nations and all 50 states.

Looking ahead, the University, through Penn Forward, is redoubling its commitment to continuing to improve the undergraduate experience. Leading the Undergraduate Education and Innovation working group is Russell Composto, vice provost for undergraduate education, with a team of 15 faculty, students, and staff in a process that will culminate in proposals of big ideas this spring.

Penn Forward is a University-wide strategic initiative that builds on the progress of In Principle and Practice to address the opportunities and challenges of the present moment in higher education. Six working groups are collaborating this fall to put forward proposals that are bold, implementable, and challenge longstanding assumptions.

Here, Composto discusses his role as chair of the working group and the team’s guiding principles. Composto is a first-generation college graduate from New Jersey who has taught undergraduates in the School of Engineering and Applied Science since 1990 and is faculty co-director of Penn First Plus.

Read the full article on Penn Today.