Community Involvement | University of Pennsylvania
Source: https://upenn.edu/life-at-penn/community
Archived: 2026-04-23 17:10
Community Involvement | University of Pennsylvania
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Barbara and Edward Netter Center for Community Partnerships
The Netter Center is Penn’s central administrative office for community partnership programs, including academically based community service, direct traditional service, and community development.
Office of Government and Community Affairs
OGCA manages relationships with government and community leaders, advocates for policies and legislation consistent with the University’s goals, and shapes local engagement initiatives.
Community Service Initiatives
Community Service at Penn
Programs and services that bring campus and community together.
Academically Based Community Service
Courses, internships, and other academic programs that incorporate community service into the curriculum.
Civic House
Penn’s community service hub, promoting student citizenship and outreach to the community.
Penn Volunteers in Public Service
Information for faculty and staff interested in participating in community service through Penn.
Upward Bound
and
Veterans Upward Bound
Programs that give precollege students a head start on higher education and veterans an opportunity to earn a college degree.
Other Services and Initiatives
Community Housing
Information and services for prospective and current homeowners and renters.
Penn Resources & Facilities Open to the Public
A list of campus facilities and activities that are open to all.
2025 PEP, PIP, and PSP winners: Where are they now?
March 20, 2026
2025 President’s Engagement Prize recipient: LensBright
March 18, 2026
Beating the heat: Designing cooling for bodies in motion
February 18, 2026
Nine honored at Alumni Award of Merit Gala
November 6, 2025
Penn & Philadelphia
Philadelphia—a historic city and vibrant cultural center—infuses Penn with the energy of urban life. Students, faculty, and staff enjoy cultural offerings that include museums and galleries, theater, dance, music, historical landmarks, and the cuisine of renowned chefs.
To fulfill our commitment to local engagement Penn collaborates with local communities on many bold initiatives. Penn seeks to promote safe neighborhoods, attract and support area businesses, encourage homeownership, and improve public education. The
Netter Center for Community Partnerships
oversees a powerful array of projects and programs, with multiple initiatives to improve West Philadelphia education, including developing early childhood reading and math skills, raising interest in science, and bridging the digital divide. Other programs include Community Arts Partnership, which place an artist-in-residence in the West Philadelphia schools, supports after-school programs, and fund a Penn-West Philadelphia arts exchange called the Foundation.
In the spirit of Penn's commitment to putting knowledge to use, many students, faculty, staff, and alumni contribute time to these initiatives. A broad range of undergraduate and graduate Academically Based Community Service courses combine intellectual learning with active involvement.
1
/
3
Science-Fair Switcheroo
2
/
3
Young Quaker Community Athletics Initiative
3
/
3
BioEYES K-12 Science Education Program
Explore Life at Penn
Arts & Culture
Community Involvement
Groups & Organizations
Health & Wellness
Housing & Dining
Penn & Philadelphia
Safety & Security
Spirituality & Religion
Skip to main content
Go to site search
Go to primary navigation
Go to resources navigation
Barbara and Edward Netter Center for Community Partnerships
The Netter Center is Penn’s central administrative office for community partnership programs, including academically based community service, direct traditional service, and community development.
Office of Government and Community Affairs
OGCA manages relationships with government and community leaders, advocates for policies and legislation consistent with the University’s goals, and shapes local engagement initiatives.
Community Service Initiatives
Community Service at Penn
Programs and services that bring campus and community together.
Academically Based Community Service
Courses, internships, and other academic programs that incorporate community service into the curriculum.
Civic House
Penn’s community service hub, promoting student citizenship and outreach to the community.
Penn Volunteers in Public Service
Information for faculty and staff interested in participating in community service through Penn.
Upward Bound
and
Veterans Upward Bound
Programs that give precollege students a head start on higher education and veterans an opportunity to earn a college degree.
Other Services and Initiatives
Community Housing
Information and services for prospective and current homeowners and renters.
Penn Resources & Facilities Open to the Public
A list of campus facilities and activities that are open to all.
2025 PEP, PIP, and PSP winners: Where are they now?
March 20, 2026
2025 President’s Engagement Prize recipient: LensBright
March 18, 2026
Beating the heat: Designing cooling for bodies in motion
February 18, 2026
Nine honored at Alumni Award of Merit Gala
November 6, 2025
Penn & Philadelphia
Philadelphia—a historic city and vibrant cultural center—infuses Penn with the energy of urban life. Students, faculty, and staff enjoy cultural offerings that include museums and galleries, theater, dance, music, historical landmarks, and the cuisine of renowned chefs.
To fulfill our commitment to local engagement Penn collaborates with local communities on many bold initiatives. Penn seeks to promote safe neighborhoods, attract and support area businesses, encourage homeownership, and improve public education. The
Netter Center for Community Partnerships
oversees a powerful array of projects and programs, with multiple initiatives to improve West Philadelphia education, including developing early childhood reading and math skills, raising interest in science, and bridging the digital divide. Other programs include Community Arts Partnership, which place an artist-in-residence in the West Philadelphia schools, supports after-school programs, and fund a Penn-West Philadelphia arts exchange called the Foundation.
In the spirit of Penn's commitment to putting knowledge to use, many students, faculty, staff, and alumni contribute time to these initiatives. A broad range of undergraduate and graduate Academically Based Community Service courses combine intellectual learning with active involvement.
1
/
3
Science-Fair Switcheroo
2
/
3
Young Quaker Community Athletics Initiative
3
/
3
BioEYES K-12 Science Education Program
Explore Life at Penn
Arts & Culture
Community Involvement
Groups & Organizations
Health & Wellness
Housing & Dining
Penn & Philadelphia
Safety & Security
Spirituality & Religion