One year ago, the University of Pennsylvania made its first official announcement of operational changes to combat the unprecedented impact of Covid-19. No one knew then that a worldwide pandemic would upend so many lives and present unimaginable challenges.
To reflect on this milestone, Wharton is taking a look back on the ways in which Covid-19 fundamentally changed how everyone communicates, gathers, and works — as a school and as a society.
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Pivoting in a Year of Disruption

Catching Up with Wharton’s Vice Deans

The Vice Deans of Wharton’s Undergraduate, MBA, Executive MBA, and Doctoral programs reflect on the ways their teams adapted to the Covid-19 challenges of the past year: what they did right, what they could’ve done better, and what advice they can share moving forward.

Featuring:

Diana Robertson, Undergraduate Division
Howard Kaufold, MBA Program
Peggy Bishop Lane, MBA for Executives Program
Nancy R. Zhang, Doctoral Programs

Catching Up with Wharton’s Vice Deans

How do you summarize the past year in just one word? What have we really learned from this experience? Wharton’s Vice Deans — who led their students and teams through it all — have a few thoughts. They remark on the creative ways students adapted, predict what learnings are here to stay, and offer advice on how to move forward.

Featuring:

Diana Robertson, Undergraduate Division
Howard Kaufold, MBA Program
Peggy Bishop Lane, MBA for Executives Program
Nancy R. Zhang, Doctoral Programs

Following the Wharton Experience

Countless students and staff have inspired their peers through the past year, demonstrating true leadership in crisis. Here are some firsthand accounts of the strength of the Wharton community.

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A quote about the challenges faced by Wharton doctoral students during the COVID-19 pandemic, emphasizing their resilience. It is attributed to a student named Jeanna Kenney, with the Wharton logo below.
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Testimonial graphic titled "COVID-19: 1 Year Later" with a quote from Oyinkansola Sofela, a Wharton undergraduate, about diversity and validation. Wharton logo included.
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This image features a message from Katie Watkins, Director of Wharton Computing and Information Technology, reflecting on a year of challenges and community resilience due to COVID-19. It emphasizes the commitment to providing excellent education. The Wharton logo is included at the
A headshot of a person wearing glasses, labeled as a Wharton MBA student named Merry Xiao. The text highlights their roles, including Student Life Fellow, Co-President of the Wharton Health Care Club, and a board member of the Wharton Marketing
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Quote by Kristina Leonard, Associate Director, Wharton Operations, on collaboration and adaptation during COVID-19, with a city skyline backdrop and Wharton logo.
Click the arrows to read their experiences

Forging New Paths

From the home kitchen to the virtual classroom, students, alumni, and faculty have been finding new ways to support and connect with each other across the world.

With Safety Measures in Place, MBA Students Return to Classrooms

Come Together Right Now (Over Zoom)

Lessons Learned from Pivoting in the Face of the Pandemic

How MBA Student Ben Berman’s “Pizza Drops” Raised $15,000 for Local Charities

How Wharton Students Are Supporting COVID-19 Relief Efforts

Breaking Classroom Barriers Over Zoom

Students Organize a Virtual New York Finance Trek

A Day in the Life of an MBA Student: IG Takeover

Fast Forward: What’s Ahead?

In Spring 2020, Wharton launched “Fast Forward,” a video series in which faculty shared their predictions for how the pandemic would disrupt key industries. Now, a year later, they share what they see in store for the rest of 2021 — for the economy, remote work, healthcare, retail, and more.

See the predictions
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Advancing the Conversation

In the News

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Covid-19 Case Studies Make Their Way Into M.B.A. Curricula – Prof. Mike Useem & William Lauder (January 6, 2021)

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Virtual classrooms democratise executive education – ExecEd (February 14, 2021)

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Wharton offers online class on business impact of coronavirus – Prof. Mauro Guillen (March 11, 2020)

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Wharton Wisdom: Coming To Terms With A Semester Disrupted – UG student correspondent Ana Singhal (March 31, 2020)

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Fundraising by Wharton EMBAs Supports Frontlines of COVID-19 Response – EMBA students (April 15, 2020)

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Gig work used to be a recession-proof safety net. Not anymore – Prof. Lindsey Cameron (August 10, 2020)

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Biden Budget to Result in Highest Spending in Decades, Study Finds – Prof. Kent Smetters, Penn Wharton Budget Model (September, 14, 2020)

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Dean Erika James on Wharton’s response to the pandemic – Dean Erika James (September 23, 2020)

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Supporting small businesses this holiday shopping season – Prof. Barbara Kahn (November 23, 2020)

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Katy Milkman on how to nudge people to accept a covid-19 vaccine – Prof. Katy Milkman (November 30, 2020)

Amplifying Alumni Voices

Alumni experts shared timely insights on Wharton Business Daily, the School’s daily SiriusXM radio show which covers the latest in business news.

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COVID-19’s Impact on Health Policy

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Covid-19 on Bumble and Online Dating

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Leadership in Times of Crisis

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Understanding Inequality in America

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Meeting the Educational Challenge

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Shifting Toward a Virtual Environment for High School Students

Hundreds of high school students have traveled to Philadelphia to participate in Wharton Global Youth Program’s summer offerings. Last year, however, the Program took the opportunity to be creative and tailor to Gen Z in a successful virtual pivot, delivering the Wharton experience to students around the world.

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Guiding Leaders Through Crisis

The pandemic fundamentally changed business. Through Executive Education’s Wharton Ready Livecast Series, Wharton faculty offered guidance for leaders to recalibrate and succeed in this new business landscape.

Take a look at some other ways Executive Education has pivoted in the last year in the program’s “One Year Later” video.

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“Being a good leader is a never-ending process. Since I started my journey at Wharton, I have been challenged to dive in, adapt, and trust — in my colleagues, our community, and above all, myself. I look forward to how we will grow together, far beyond this pandemic.”

— Dean Erika James