Penn First Plus Bozza Family Faculty Co-Directors Diana Robertson (Wharton) and Fayyaz Vellani (SAS), together with Florian Schwarz (SAS) and Aleksandra Vojvodic (SEAS), invite faculty to join the Penn First Plus Faculty Working Group. This interdisciplinary group brings together faculty who are passionate about supporting student success—particularly that of first-generation and limited-income undergraduates—and strengthening the University’s culture of belonging through teaching, advising, and research.

The Working Group provides a forum for faculty to collaborate with students and colleagues on projects that enhance learning environments across Penn, mentor first-generation and limited-income students by engaging them in faculty-led research and academic initiatives, and develop and share evidence-based practices that foster “growth culture” classrooms that emphasize learning and mastery over grades.

Participation involves two meetings per semester from spring 2026 through spring 2027, with opportunities for project-focused work and student collaboration between sessions.

Faculty who are energized by the opportunity to make a tangible difference in students’ academic journeys—and to learn from peers across schools—are warmly encouraged to contact Marc Lo, executive director of Penn First Plus, at pennfirstplus@upenn.edu to schedule an interest meeting with the faculty co-directors.