Wharton Stories: Community Service/Philanthropy

A group of four people smiling at the camera in a social setting.
“By fostering a culture of inclusivity and understanding, we can attract more talented prospective students with disabilities to Wharton and have them to believe they can make a meaningful impact in their careers beyond Wharton.” – Sheila Xu, WG’24

How Wharton’s Disability Empowerment and Action League (DEAL) Transforms Campus

A person comforting another
“I was fortunate to grow up playing competitive sports, which helped me build a sense of belief that I could bounce back from any setback. I firmly believe that SuperBetter can develop those same capacities.” – Jan Jaro, WG’23

How WIVA Students Are Advocating For Youth Mental Health With A Startup

Collection of photos on a corkboard, depicting travel and community activities: airplane wing view, people conversing, gardening, educational presentations, and interacting with local families.
“If we want to create a world that’s a better place, we need people who can bring that sense of social justice and combine it with some practical Wharton toolkits so that they can be more impactful.”

From Peace Corps to Wharton

A brick building with large windows, surrounded by trees with green and yellow leaves, under a clear blue sky.
In lieu of its in-country immersion program, which was canceled because of the pandemic, the Lauder Institute incorporated community engagement projects that connected students with communities in Philadelphia and beyond.

Lauder Students Put Language Skills Into Practice

Maya Burns, WG’20, and May Li, WG’21, share their experiences connecting students to organizations in need and helping local businesses since COVID-19 closed their doors.

How 1,200 MBA Students Helped Small Businesses Survive the Pandemic

Four people stand with arms crossed behind Ben on the Bench statue and wear masks and gloves. Ben is also wearing a face mask
From donations to delivery services for at-risk populations, the Wharton community is joining in the fight against the pandemic.

How Wharton Students Are Supporting COVID-19 Relief Efforts

A person dressed in casual attire kicks a soccer ball near a red brick wall. A backpack is placed on the ground nearby.
After an illness cut her promising soccer career short, Stephanie McCaffrey talks about starting over and finding herself again in the process.

Stephanie McCaffrey: Finding Herself Again After Soccer

Dan Ping He, WG'19, smiling outside large brick building, wearing a colorful scarf and leather jacket.
Integrating business knowledge with a liberal arts mindset is helping Dan Ping He, WG’19, towards her goal of enhancing community development through real estate.

This Real Estate MBA Wants to Create Better Affordable Housing

MBA students standing in front of gers and rolling hills in Mongolia.
“As the flight attendant announced we were approaching Ulaanbaatar, I wondered what I had gotten myself into.”

How a Health Care MBA Student Ended up in Mongolia for a Week

Three students, two girls and one boy, smile and talk at a table in a classroom. They have computers, and one is red.
Learn about student programming with the Wharton Social Impact Initiative, with opportunities in impact investing, consulting, social entrepreneurship, research, community building, and more.

Welcome Back to Campus: 6 Social Impact Programs for Students