Don Harrison, longtime program coordinator of the Provost’s Summer Mentorship Program (SMP), has been named the director of the program, effective October 1.

Mr. Harrison began his work with SMP in 2008, the first year VPUL was assigned responsibility for the program. SMP began in 2006 as a summer college preparatory program for Philadelphia 10th and 11th grade public and charter school students. The students were paired with participating Penn professional schools. Currently five of Penn’s schools—PSOM, Nursing, Engineering, Law and Dental—engage these students in specially created curricula and activities that give them opportunities to explore possible career choices. Each year 60-70 students share in these experiences. In addition to the curriculum in the school to which they are assigned, the students are offered test prep, financial literacy, life skills, college application process assistance/information and other services that help them to hone their skills and strengthen their self-confidence.

Mr. Harrison has been central to the program; he has increased and expanded its offerings and served as the late Gail Oberton’s right hand partner in the growth and enhancement of SMP. She passed away on May 29 (Almanac July 16, 2019). Mr. Harrison has created a college prep guide and has brought a variety of innovative approaches to recruitment of participants, support to school partners, and creative joint activities for students.

Mr. Harrison is a native Philadelphian and a graduate of Central High School and Penn State University.