Penn Engineering Weekly 03-23-26

Penn Engineering Weekly 03-23-26

Penn Engineering Weekly 03-23-26

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Important Dates:

Date	Event
March 23rd – April 6th	Advance Registration for Fall Term
March 23	Registration for Summer Session Begins
March 30th	Last Day to Withdraw from a Course
April 29th	Last day of Classes
April 30th – May 3rd	Reading Days
May 4th – 12th	Final Exams
May 12th	Spring Term Ends
May 18th	University Commencement Ceremony

Announcements for the week

AIT Budapest Info Session

Interested in studying abroad in Budapest for the Computer and Data Science major. Come to the info session to learn more. Pizza will be provided.

Thursday, April 9th
12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Towne 217 ALC
Click here to register

Registrar Reminders

-Advance Registration for Fall 2026 begins today, March 23rd, and runs through Monday, April 6th. Summer 2026 registration also opens today, March 23rd.
–Today, March 23rd, is the course grade mode change deadline.
–Spring 2026 Accelerated Master’s course form for students whose primary undergrad home school is Engineering is due this Friday, March 27th. Information was sent out to these students.
-The last day to withdraw from a course is Monday, March 30th.

Events (Engineering)

Undergraduate Class of 2026’s First Destination Survey

Hi Seniors,

We are looking forward to your responses for the Class of 2026 Career Plans Survey. Click here to access the survey.

2026 Engineering Summer Academy at Penn (ESAP)

The Penn Engineering OAS office would like to invite you to reapply to work as a Teaching Assistant for one of our courses in the ESAP 2026 program. The expected start date is Wednesday, July 8th, with a 2-hour training, with the expected last date being Friday, July 31st. TAs are paid $3000, or $25 per hour, over the course of this period. Please review and complete the 2026 ESAP TA Application for more details on this opportunity. For more information about ESAP, please visit our new ESAP site. Please complete this form as soon as possible. The deadline to apply is April 24th. If you have any questions, please contact esap@seas.upenn.edu. We look forward to potentially working with you.

Penn Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Fireside Chat with Dr. Nader Engheta

Join the Penn IEEE Student Branch on Thursday, March 26, at 6:30 pm in Berger Auditorium (Skirkanich Hall) for an evening with Dr. Nader Engheta, Penn’s H. Nedwill Ramsey Professor of Electrical and Systems Engineering. Dr. Engheta will speak about his groundbreaking research in optics, optical circuits, and metamaterials, followed by an open Q&A on his work and academic journey. Whether you’re curious about cutting-edge electromagnetic research or looking for insight into navigating a career in engineering, whether in academia, industry, or beyond, this is a great opportunity to engage with one of the field’s leading voices.

Thursday, March 26th
6: 30 pm – 7: 30pm
Berger Auditorium, Skirkanich Hall
Just Show Up at the Event (No Action Needed)

2026 Celebration of Community

This annual event showcases Penn Engineering students, staff, faculty, and alumni in their multi-talented richness. The program will consist of guest speakers, performances, student presentations, and mouthwatering dishes from around the globe. No RSVP is required to be in the audience. Anyone interested in performing should complete the form.

You may contact Dr. Ocek Eke (ocek@seas.upenn.edu) and André Marston (amarston@seas.upenn.edu) with any questions. Please keep both of them copied on all correspondence related to this event.

Friday, March 27th
3:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Wu and Chen Auditorium

2026 FemmeHacks Hackathon

Join FemmeHacks in our 12th hackathon! After forming teams, attendees build a variety of web and mobile applications, learn from workshops, and attend speaker events. FemmeHacks welcomes trans and cis women, non-binary, and gender non-conforming people of all levels of experience.

Saturday, March 28th
8:00 am – 10:00 am
Click here to register

Advancing Women in Engineering (AWE) Undergraduate Summer Research Opportunity at Penn Engineering

AWE is pleased to offer an initiative that supports undergraduate students pursuing summer research experiences. Applicants are required to submit a personal statement, a resume, and a faculty recommendation letter. The deadline to submit all application materials has been extended to March 30, 2026. For additional details or questions, interested students should contact Nita Guzman Del Vecchio at ngdv@seas.upenn.edu

Orientation Peer Advisor Applications Open

Applications are now open to become an Orientation Peer Advisor (OPA).

OPAs are a group of engineering upperclassmen who volunteer to guide incoming students over the summer, during NSO, and their first semester to help them get acclimated to Penn. OPAs understand the concerns of incoming students and provide advice and referrals to various campus departments. They are excellent resources for campus organizations, majors, and campus life.

This is a volunteer (unpaid) position. However, perks include exclusive OPA merch, sponsored early move-in, and enhanced leadership skills.

Application link: https://upenn.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_4MmwIJluK72KVi6

Applications close on Monday, March 30th, 2026. For questions, please contact Marina Ceneviva at mceneviv@seas.upenn.edu.

Events (Penn)

Summer Housing Info Session

Are you staying in Philadelphia for summer break and need to find housing for your internship or research experience? Come to the Summer Housing Info Session! CURF RPAs will guide you through the different options for summer housing and teach you some tips and tricks to find a place that’s right for you.

Sunday, March 29th
7:00 pm – 8:00 pm
ARCH 108
Just Show Up at the Event (No Action Needed)

Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM)

Coming up next month, April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM). Join us at our events and collaborations throughout the month to spread awareness about interpersonal violence and honor survivors. Learn more about each event on the University Life Calendar.

AIT Budapest Info Session

Interested in studying abroad in Budapest for the Computer and Data Science major. Come to the info session to learn more. Pizza will be provided.

Thursday, April 9th
12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Towne 217 ALC
Click here to register

iCare Training

“i care” is an interactive training for students, faculty, and staff that builds a caring community with the skills and resources to intervene when someone is dealing with stress, distress, and crisis.

Sunday, March 29th
1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Click here to learn more and register

Senior Project Awards

Three awards for senior projects are now open for applications.

The Joseph Warner Yardley Prize is awarded to the best thesis on political economy written by a member of the senior class in any undergraduate school at Penn.
The Bodek Prize is awarded to a senior in any of the undergraduate departments and schools at Penn for the best paper addressing issues of interracial and interfaith relations.
The Rose Award recognizes outstanding undergraduate research projects completed by graduating seniors under the supervision of a Penn faculty member.

Search the CURF Funding Opportunities for complete information and instructions for how to apply! Application Deadline: March 23rd. Click here to learn more about this opportunity.

RPA Data Science Workshop: MATLAB

Join the CURF RPAs for a series of data science workshops to learn essential coding skills for modeling, data analysis, and visualization. Whether you’re new to programming or looking to refine your skills, these workshops will introduce key tools in scientific research. No prior experience is required – attend all sessions or choose the ones most relevant to your research area of interest! This session will focus on MATLAB, a numeric computing platform often used in computational engineering and also other fields such as neuroscience. Click here to learn more.

Wednesday, March 25th
4:00 pm -5:00 pmm
JMHH (Huntsman) Room F65
Just Show Up at the Event (No Action Needed)

Behind the CV: A Conversation with Prof. Daniel Krashen

Join us for an engaging conversation with Prof. Daniel Krashen, Presidential Professor of Mathematics, whose research focuses on topics in algebra and arithmetic geometry. In this discussion, Prof. Krashen will discuss what inspired him to become a mathematician and the experiences that have shaped his path to becoming a professor at Penn. This event offers a candid look at how academic journeys unfold beyond the résumé, emphasizing the unexpected rewards and unspoken challenges of an academic career. Regardless of whether you are considering opportunities in mathematics or another discipline, the discussion will provide a thoughtful perspective on life as a researcher. Audience questions are encouraged. Open to all students! Click here to learn more.

Thursday, March 26th
4:00 pm – 5:00 pm
College Hall G08/09
Just Show Up at the Event (No Action Needed)

Finding Your Fellowship Fit (The Fellowships Compass Session 1)

Are you curious about nationally competitive postgraduate fellowships, but not sure where to start?The Fellowships Compass: Crafting Competitive Applications is a four-session workshop series designed to help you go from curiosity to competitiveness. Over four weeks, you’ll identify your fellowship fit, articulate your leadership story, draft a compelling personal statement, and develop a realistic application plan through structured activities, feedback, and guided facilitation. Open to juniors, seniors, and young alumni.

Before you write a single word, you need to know which fellowship is actually right for you and why. In this opening session, you’ll identify the core values that should guide your fellowship search, explore nationally competitive fellowships, and complete a Fellowship Fit Matrix to find your best options. This session lays a strong foundation for all the steps to come, setting you up for success.

Wednesday, March 24th
4:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Zoom
Click here to register

Articulating Your Leadership (The Fellowships Compass Session 2)

The Fellowships Compass: Crafting Competitive Applications is a four-session workshop series designed to help you go from curiosity to competitiveness. Over four weeks, you’ll identify your fellowship fit, articulate your leadership story, draft a compelling personal statement, and develop a realistic application plan through structured activities, feedback, and guided facilitation.

In this workshop:

Leadership has many facets. Fellowship committees focus on qualities rather than titles. They look for agency, impact, and demonstrated values. In this session, you’ll discover how fellowship programs define leadership, use the STAR framework to create a leadership story inventory, and practice a 90-second elevator pitch with feedback. You’ll leave with solid leadership narratives and the language to present them confidently.

Monday, March 30th
4:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Zoom
Click here to register

Communicating Research Workshop

Presenting your research this semester or looking to strengthen how you communicate your work? Join us for a Communicating Research Workshop led by Research Peer Advisors (RPAs). This workshop will focus on how to clearly and compellingly present your research through posters and brief presentations. Participants will learn practical strategies for explaining complex ideas, structuring an effective poster, and engaging diverse audiences. Whether you’re preparing for the CURF Spring Research Symposium, a conference, or a lab meeting presentation, this session will provide tips to help you present your work with clarity and confidence. Click here to learn more.

Tuesday, March 31st
3:30 pm -4:30 pm
College Hall G08/09
Just Show Up at the Event (No Action Needed)

CURF Faculty Research Panel

Hear from faculty members across the university to learn more about what research looks like in different fields, how and when to get involved with research as an undergraduate, and the types of skills you can learn from participating in undergraduate research. Panelists include Dr. Xue (Sherry) Gao, Presidential Penn Compact Associate Professor of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering; Dr. Joseph Devietti, Associate Professor of Computer and Information Science; and Dr. Simon Richter, Class of 1965 Endowed Term Professor of German and Chair of the Department of Francophone, Italian, and Germanic Studies. We will be discussing research in fields ranging from precision genome editing and computer architecture to the environmental humanities. The panel will be followed by a Q&A session. This event is open to all Penn students, and refreshments will be provided! Click here to learn more.

Thursday, April 2nd
4:00 pm – 5:00 pm
College Hall G08/09
Just Show Up at the Event (No Action Needed)

Explore. Reflect. Become. Lunch Series with Speaker Areebah Ahmed C’26

PAACH is back with the Explore. Reflect. Become. Lunch Series for spring 2026! Come join us for a catered lunch and learn from our exciting group of speakers.
The Explore. Reflect. The Become Lunch Series focuses on the deep reflection of our personal experiences and the becoming of ourselves. We will invite individuals from Penn and the Philadelphia community to share their intimate histories and backgrounds, and how they’ve explored, reflected, and become the person that they are.

Wednesday, March 25th
12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
ARCH Room 108 |3601 Locust Walk
Click here to register

Penn Carey Law International Arbitration Conference

The Penn Carey Law International Arbitration Association (PCLIAA) will be hosting the 8th Annual Penn Carey Law International Arbitration Conference on Friday, April 3, 2026, at the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School, Levy Conference Center. The conference, titled “Arbitration in an Evolving Geopolitical Environment,” will explore how global geopolitical and economic developments are reshaping international dispute resolution.

As sanctions regimes expand, global M&A markets face geopolitical uncertainty, and third-party funding continues to influence access to justice, international arbitration is adapting in real time. The conference will bring together leading practitioners, academics, and arbitration specialists to discuss these developments through four thematic panels:

Third-Party Funding in International Arbitration
Arbitration at the Front Lines of Sanctions
M&A Arbitrations and Geopolitical Risk
Enforcement and Sovereign Immunity

The keynote address will be delivered by Professor George A. Bermann of Columbia Law School, Director of the Center for International Commercial and Investment Arbitration. Our speakers include leading arbitrators, academics, and practitioners from across the United States and internationally.

Friday, April 3, 2026
Time: 9:00 am – 5:30 pm
Levy Conference Center, University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School
Click here to register

Take Back the Night (TBTN)

Take Back the Night (TBTN) is an international movement to take a stand against sexual violence.

At Penn, this has manifested as a powerful resource fair, rally, march, and survivor speak-out session hosted by Abuse & Sexual Assault Prevention (ASAP). TBTN will be hosted on Thursday, April 9th, 4-9 PM.

Please email asapatpenn@gmail.com if you have any questions or if you are interested in collaborating!

Thursday, April 9th
4:00 pm – 9:00 pm
College Green (Rain Location at Hall of Flags)

Clothing Closet

The LGBT Center’s Clothing Closet provides gently used clothing that is 100% free to all Penn community members. Donate or pick up gently used clothing at the LGBT Center (3907 Spruce Street).

Scholarships & Grants Opportunities

2026 ShanghaiTech Summer Lab Program

This non-credit and tuition-free program is designed exclusively for international undergraduates from our partner institutions. It offers a unique opportunity for participants to join a research lab of their choice, utilizing world-class facilities and national science platforms rarely accessible to external students. Application Deadline: April 30th, 2026. Click here to learn more and apply.

Career & Networking Opportunities

Knight-Hennessy Scholars at Stanford University Information Session

Join us for an information session with a representative from Knight-Hennessy Scholars.

Knight-Hennessy Scholars fully funds up to three years of a graduate program at Stanford. Scholars will be part of a cross-disciplinary community of Stanford graduate students dedicated to finding creative solutions to the world’s greatest challenges. Scholars may pursue their graduate education in any of Stanford’s graduate programs (and must be admitted to that graduate program in a separate but parallel application process).

Monday, March 23, 2026
12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
College Hall G08/09
Just Show Up at the Event (No Action Needed)

Clubs & Organizations

Engineering Entrepreneurship

More information about Engineering Entrepreneurship

Follow them on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, & X/Twitter.
Tag on these platforms @PennEngEntrep with your own posts.
Join their subscription-based semi-monthly email to notify you of entrepreneurship-related events, competitions, opportunities, and more. If you wish to receive this type of information, please visit https://groups.google.com/a/seas.upenn.edu/g/pennengentrep/ and then click on “ask to join the group” (Image). You have the option to unsubscribe at any time as well, and this is completely optional. Emails will be sent on the second and last Wednesday of every month.