Philadelphia Education Fund

The Philadelphia Education Fund’s McKinney Center for STEM Education is delighted to continue its partnership with Johnson Controls, Inc. and the The School District of Philadelphia’s Education for Sustainability Office connecting teachers and students to the concepts of energy and sustainability through STEM education. Yesterday, Nicholas Sracic of JCI unveiled the program’s latest tool, a mobile HVAC cart through which students at FitzPatrick will be able to engage with these STEM concepts through hands-on learning. Grateful to have Kathy Fadigan, Ed.D., our lead on this project, present to support the big reveal. Thank you to Megan Garner from the School District of Philadelphia and Nick Sracic for your support and the opportunity to partner on this effort!

Liza Rangel, PEF’s Senior Program Manager of Middle Grades Initiatives, was invited to participate on a panel for a College Greenlight, a part of EAB, Equity Collaborative Annual CBO Summit, “Engaging the Future: Extending the College Access Pipeline” held November 7. Liza, along with fellow panelists Ayannah Jones, Director of Early College Awareness at CollegeBound Foundation and Dieu Ho, Executive Director of Breakthrough Santa Fe discussed the middle years landscape as it relates to college access, and how colleges and universities can better tap into these student populations. The conversation also touched on strategies for enhancing family engagement, and the critical role of mental health awareness in shaping students’ academic journeys. #CollegeAccess #CollegeSuccess

Thank you to our friends at Ballinger for their ongoing volunteerism and support of one of PEF's Middle Grades Initiative, Spark Philadelphia! Last week they spent an afternoon with 7th and 8th graders from Samuel Gompers School, and together the group engaged in career-connected and social-emotional learning activities, with opportunities for the students to gain a better understanding of possible college and career pathways. Curious about our Middle Grades Initiatives? Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/eHxPbyg5 #CareerConnectedLearning #CollegeAccess #CollegeSuccess #CorporateVolunteers #PHLed

It's an honor to introduce to our community the four individuals who began their board involvement with the Philadelphia Education Fund (PEF) over the summer! They join a board of dedicated volunteers who give generously of their time, talent, and treasure to resource the efforts of the Ed Fund and ensure our work remains responsive and attuned to the educational needs of the community. To learn more about how you can engage with and support PEF, visit https://lnkd.in/e5cxRDBX #PHLed?#NonprofitLeadership #CollegeAccess #CollegeSuccess

November 8, 2024 is the Council for Opportunity in Education and FirstGen Forward's First-Generation College Celebration day! Since 1990, it has been our privilege and delight to support First-Gen students with our Last Dollar Scholarship. You can help us see these achievers to and through college, by making a donation to the Philadelphia Education Fund today and #CelebrateFirstGen Support Our First-Gen Scholars: https://lnkd.in/emvt5NVn #CollegeAccess #CollegeSuccess #CelebrateFirstGen

This week on #SpeakingOfQuality, I had an enlightening conversation with Farah Jimenez, the inspiring leader behind the Philadelphia Education Fund. Farah’s story—from her family’s journey out of Cuba to her unwavering commitment to Philadelphia’s students—offers a unique perspective on what’s possible when we invest in opportunity. She’s breaking down barriers, expanding college access, and building real pathways for young people who’ve been overlooked for far too long. This episode is a compelling reminder of the power of education to create lasting change. Don’t miss it. https://lnkd.in/eUiep4Eq

Last month, PEF kicked off a new year of Ignite STEM, an initiative that serves students at our partner high schools – including participating Mastery Schools and our College Access Program (CAP) schools. During the 9-week program, students engage weekly with project-based learning, professional development, and skill building activities, all designed and delivered by Tashanna Walker Ph.D. Ignite STEM also includes the exploration of postsecondary and career pathways, from college visits and financial aid workshops, to STEM workforce job sites. This program is only made possible through the generous support of our funding partners,?JEVS Human Services, Career Connected Learning PHL, the?HAMILTON FAMILY CHARITABLE TRUST, and?PwC.

The Philadelphia STEM Equity Collective (PSEC), managed in partnership between global healthcare company GSK and the Philadelphia Education Fund’s Philadelphia STEM Ecosystem, strives to increase the number of Black, Latinx and women Philadelphians going into STEM careers by 2030. Using a collective impact approach, PSEC works to increase access to STEM in homes and communities, create diverse education to career pathways, and support STEM workplaces where Black and Latinx people and women thrive. Learn more at https://lnkd.in/eQpq6MJc

SAVE THE DATE FOR OUR 2025 EDUCATE PHILLY BENEFIT! The annual luncheon and master class event benefits the Philadelphia Education Fund and our Philadelphia Scholars Scholarship Endowment. ??? Wednesday, May 7, 2025 ?? Networking: 11AM - 12PM; Luncheon & Program: 12-2PM ?? Center City (exact location TBD) ?? Educate Philly Master Class | This year’s theme is Constitutional Law 101: Free Speech and Campus Life, and we’re assembling a heavy-hitter panel of experts and scholars in the field including Jeffrey Rosen, President and CEO of the National Constitution Center?and Will Creeley, Legal Director of FIRE, the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression. Moderated by?PEF's President and CEO, Farah Jimenez, the discussion will explore the foundation of our Constitutional right to free speech, the established limits on that right, and how our students – as well as the administrators at their colleges and universities – can enhance campus life through the preserving and optimal exercise of free speech. ??Celebrating Star Students | The highlight every year at Educate Philly is the opportunity to celebrate and honor the accomplishments of our student Scholars! The Rising Star Award recognizes the high achievement of two high school seniors in our College Access Program, and The Baldadian Shining Star Award is given to a college sophomore or junior of outstanding academic success and character. ??MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR MAY 7 ?? STAY TUNED FOR MORE DETAILS IN THE COMING MONTHS!

The Philadelphia STEM Equity Collective (PSEC), managed in partnership between global healthcare company GSK and the Philadelphia Education Fund’s Philadelphia STEM Ecosystem, strives to increase the number of Black, Latinx and women Philadelphians going into STEM careers by 2030. Using a collective impact approach, PSEC works to increase access to STEM in homes and communities, create diverse education to career pathways, and support STEM workplaces where Black and Latinx people and women thrive. ?? Join PSEC and its many STEM equity partners and collaborators in celebrating the second annual Philadelphia STEM Equity Week from October 26 to November 2