Wharton Stories: Community

Lush garden filled with colorful blooming flowers, including roses and foxgloves, with a white bench and wooden trellises in the background.
One student’s quest to help classmates see that the Wharton undergraduate experience is about more than grades and job offers.

Stopping to Smell the Roses

Amanda Cui reclines on a red blanket, holding a square mirror that reflects her face and upper body. She wears a metallic, deep red pleated top. Her reflection in the mirror shows a composed, introspective expression.
Amanda Cui, W’25, started Humans of Penn as a way to have numerous conversations and capture the various perspectives across Penn’s campus.

Major: Economics. Minor: Humanity. The Storyteller behind Humans of Penn

Wide-angle image of William’s Cafe's front area, showcasing the vibrant atmosphere and a bustling coffee shop environment.
How Olivia Turman, W’26, found community, leadership, and clarity through Williams Café.

Brewing Business: A Wharton Undergrad’s Experience Managing Penn’s Student-Run Café

Students walk through the splash fountain in front of City Hall
Wharton first-years helped pilot a new activity that familiarized them with Philadelphia and connected them to each other in a meaningful way.

Finding Camaraderie by Finding City Hall

Sailboats with several people navigating on a body of water during a cloudy day. The boats have white sails and visible identification numbers.
An immersive look inside Team Sailing, a Wharton Leadership Venture designed to foster team cohesion in a high-pressure environment.

Trimming the Jib and Other Ways to Think About Business 

A diverse group of students in a classroom engaged in discussion and collaborative work. Some are using laptops, and others are reviewing documents. The setting is casual and interactive, suggesting a study session or group project.
Third-year Anthony Wright describes taking an Academically Based Community Service (ABCS) course that teaches West Philadelphia middle- and high-school students financial literacy

Wharton Field Challenge: Empowering Financial Futures

A pile of patriotic-themed buttons featuring stars and stripes, with a prominent button displaying
Third-year Chuby Madu, along with fellow Wharton students, launched Crayon Politics, a student-run platform dedicated to providing Gen Z with easy-to-understand data to be more informed voters.

Crayon Politics: Simplifying Complex Policy for Young Voters

A group of dancers wearing black outfits performing on stage, each with one hand placed on their chest, set against a blue-lit background.
Sami Goel, W’25, balances her love for dance with her interest in business.

Making Moves

A singing group of ten individuals dressed in traditional attire performs on stage. A colorful abstract design is displayed on a screen in the background.
“It was just unreal. You put all your time into making a mix, and then you put it on Spotify, and you go to Paris.” – Ajay Kilambi, W’25

Penn Masala’s Olympic Performance

A group of people in a service tunnel, wearing blue and red shirts, are carrying large plastic panels and working together. One shirt reads
“The people on campus are really very friendly. There are a lot of new people and new experiences in the city, so I think that’s really great to be involved with.” – Liam Burke, W’27

At Wharton, Penn, Move-In Coordinators Ease Transitions