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.
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.
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.
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.
Advancing the Conversation
In the News
Covid-19 Case Studies Make Their Way Into M.B.A. Curricula – Prof. Mike Useem & William Lauder (January 6, 2021)
Wharton offers online class on business impact of coronavirus – Prof. Mauro Guillen (March 11, 2020)
Wharton Wisdom: Coming To Terms With A Semester Disrupted – UG student correspondent Ana Singhal (March 31, 2020)
Fundraising by Wharton EMBAs Supports Frontlines of COVID-19 Response – EMBA students (April 15, 2020)
Gig work used to be a recession-proof safety net. Not anymore – Prof. Lindsey Cameron (August 10, 2020)
Biden Budget to Result in Highest Spending in Decades, Study Finds – Prof. Kent Smetters, Penn Wharton Budget Model (September, 14, 2020)
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.
COVID-19’s Impact on Health Policy
Covid-19 on Bumble and Online Dating
Leadership in Times of Crisis
Understanding Inequality in America
Meeting the Educational Challenge
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.
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.
“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