SNF Paideia Program

The latest issue of the The Pennsylvania Gazette features the Political Empathy Lab and Dr. Lia Howard as part of a story about artist JJ Tiziou's (C’02) Walk Around Philadelphia and the ways walking can transform how we understand communities.

Reflecting on the Lab's field research across Pennsylvania, Dr. Howard shares:

"I don't believe that you can fully understand people devoid of place. We can have all the data in the world about different people and where they are, but if you try to understand it outside of place, you're missing a really important piece."

It's a powerful reminder that understanding begins with paying attention to place and the people who call it home. Where will your next walk take you and what might it teach you?

Tap the link in our bio to read the full article by writer Trey Popp.

Thank you to the The Pennsylvania Gazette for highlighting this work and the many ways Walk Around Philadelphia is creating opportunities for learning across difference.

Photos by JJ Tiziou and Christian Hayden.

Our visit to We Need Books, a multilingual community library in the heart of Kypseli, with our wonderful host Margarita. While there, we were reminded of the poem “Book Power” by Gwendolyn Brooks.

BOOKS FEED AND CURE AND
CHORTLE AND COLLIDE

In all this willful world
of thud and thump and thunder
man’s relevance to books
continues to declare.

Books are meat and medicine
and flame and flight and flower,
steel, stitch, and cloud and clout,
and drumbeats in the air.

Throughout the year, the SNF Paideia Program continued to focus on creating inclusive spaces where students can learn about their society and global issues in an environment that cultivates humility, curiosity, and intentionality. As we continue to look back on this past year, we pause with deep gratitude to celebrate the accomplishments of the SNF Paideia community.

As Penn President J. Larry Jameson said about the Program:

“The SNF Paideia Program exemplifies the values of open-mindedness and empathy that define Penn and inform our vision for a more just and understanding society. As our students engage in productive dialogue and overcome division, they develop the skills of thoughtful leadership that are vital to the future of our democracy. SNF Paideia has become a central part of the Penn experience, sharpening our focus on enhancing social good and bolstering our commitment to freedom of inquiry, open expression, and respect.”

By the numbers, 2025-2026 was a milestone year:

🎓 22 SNF Paideia Fellows graduated in May
✨12 new Ambassadors joined the program representing 12 Penn centers
📘 19 new SNF Paideia designated courses launched
🎓 1,000+ students enrolled in those courses
📅 150 sponsored/co-sponsored events
💬 40 faculty, staff, and students trained in dialogue planning + facilitation as part of the Dialogue Leadership Training

Thank you for your partnership and support!

Road trips. Long flights. Summer playlists.
What’s on your summer listening list?

In the spirit of America 250, here are a few thoughtful additions for your summer queue:

Sleeping with the US Constitution—
44 celebrity voices read the entire US Constitution! A thoughtful, surprising, and strangely soothing reflection on the document that shapes American life. Produced by .
https://maximumfun.org/episodes/sleeping-with-celebrities/sleeping-with-the-u-s-constitution-featuring-so-many-stars/

Political Empathy Lab (PEL) Season 2—
What happens when Penn students spend a week traveling across Pennsylvania to really listen to people? Host Noah Kocher talks with participants about empathy, conversation, and what they learned from Pennsylvanians across the state.
https://apple.co/4u2rkyC

Not Political People—
Why are so many young Americans checking out of politics? Host Glynn Boltman speaks with 65 young people across swing states about distrust, identity, media fatigue, voting, and what happens when people finally feel heard.
https://bit.ly/4dzjQ1f

And with the midterms on the horizon, stay tuned for election-related fall programming and more events from the SNF Paideia Program.

Happy summer!

Political Empathy Lab and Not Political People podcasts are supported by the SNF Paideia Program.

Today’s the day! Congratulations to the Class of 2026 SNF Paideia Fellows!

To our seniors, and to all of the graduates and their families, congratulations on this incredible milestone. Cherish the memories, celebrate this moment, and enjoy every second of Commencement Day. We can’t wait to see what’s ahead for you all!