Strategic Framework for Penn's Global Initiatives 2023-2028

Strategic Framework for Penn's Global Initiatives

Throughout the course of its 283-year history, the University of Pennsylvania has sought to follow the example of its founder, Benjamin Franklin, in its commitment to global engagement. Over time, Penn's global vision has deepened and expanded, particularly in these first decades of the 21st century. Building on President Judith Rodin's 1995 agenda to establish Penn as "one of the premier research and teaching universities in the nation and the world," President Amy Gutmann made strengthening Penn's global footprint a priority when she assumed office in 2004. This led to the establishment of Penn Global and the formulation of a five-year Strategic Framework for Penn's Global Initiatives in 2012, which sought to prepare students for an increasingly globalized society, strengthen Penn as a global agenda-setter, and promote healthy, inspiring, and productive lives. A decade later, under the leadership of President Liz Magill, Penn has been transformed, standing now as a comprehensive global institution.

With almost 8,000 international students, over 2,000 students studying abroad annually, and over 1,000 faculty conducting research, teaching, and leading other activities across all seven continents, Penn is more global now than at any point in its history. The University seeks to ensure that its students engage meaningfully with the world through courses, internships and research projects; as well as through their majors and professional specializations. Penn will continue to expand the resources and support for faculty, enabling them to generate knowledge of the world that is fundamental to outstanding achievement within and across disciplines.

The Strategic Framework for Penn's Global Initiatives 2023 – 2028 builds upon the two preceding frameworks and reinforces Penn Global’s mission of bringing the world to Penn and Penn to the world. At its core are the following three pillars: