October 13, 2015

University of Pennsylvania President Amy Gutmann took part in a panel discussion with other leaders in higher education, “Our Turn: Women Leading Academia,” at a packed house at the 92nd Street Y in New York City.

Journalist and author Lisa Birnbach moderated the panel with Gutmann, who was joined by Nancy Cantor, chancellor of Rutgers University-Newark; Carolyn ‘Biddy’ Martin, president of Amherst College; and Christina Paxson, president of Brown University.

The panelists spoke on contemporary issues facing higher education today as part of the new American Conversation Series at the 92nd Street Y.

Topics discussed included how the panelists made the transition from faculty members to administrative leaders, the value of a liberal arts education, the cost of college today and student issues on campus.

Gutmann noted that she looks for ways to “create buzz” through her leadership, and she cited her creation of the President’s Engagement Prizes last year as an example. “I’m excited on a daily basis by what I can do in my job and it helps me realize the values that I have in my life,” Gutmann said.

Under her Penn Compact 2020, the University has entered into a new era with bold steps that focus on increasing access, integrating knowledge and engaging locally, nationally and globally.

This lecture was endowed by Claire Benenson, a trustee of the 92nd Street Y, in memory of her son, Harold Berger Benenson.

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See also President Gutmann's Flickr Gallery

GenHERation article

Additional Images on UPenn Flickr Photostream

Photos by Joyce Culver