“You Can’t Be Denied If You Haven’t Applied”

Penn and the Heights have launched a program to help high schoolers navigate their way through college applications. A longtime university president visited a classroom at Carver to learn more

By Elaine Maimon

A Modern Day Rosie The Riveter

Trailblazer Elaine McGuire is leading the charge to attract and train more electricians like her: Black women.

By Courtney DuChene

Civics Out Loud

An iconic Philadelphia author and youth voting activist outlines a day in the life of politically engaged local students, lesson by lesson

By Lorene Cary

War on Antisemitism — or Distraction from Bigotry?

A longtime university president calls out the hypocrisy of Trump’s campaign to protect Jewish students

By Elaine Maimon
Ideas We Should Steal

Schools of Civic Thought

15 universities in 10 states — including Yale and University of Texas — have launched programs that focus on thinking and citizenship. We could use more of that here, too

By Benjamin Storey and Jenna Silber Storey
Ideas We Should Steal Festival 2025

Hope Chicago, Multigenerational College Access

Hope Chicago offers free college for public school students and one member of their family to break the cycle of poverty. Chief Program Officer Michele Howard will talk about its success at The Citizen’s 8th annual Ideas We Should Steal Festival November 14.

By Elaine Maimon
Guest Commentary

Don’t Cut Off this Lifeline for English Learners

In a city where one in five students are English language learners, we can’t afford not to support their education

By Alyn Turner and Sean Vanatta

Young People, You Can Do Well and Do Good

Being young is hard these days. That’s why a longtime university president recommends a life in public service.

By Elaine Maimon
Guest Commentary

Let These Teachers … Teach

Two veteran educators on a common sense way to fill teacher vacancies in the Philadelphia School District

By Scott Gaiber and Stephanie Waller

The Perils of Patronage

Penn this week refused preferential treatment from Trump that could jeopardize science funding. A longtime university president urges push-back on favoritism wherever it happens

By Elaine Maimon