SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT
Open the door to an Ivy League degree in Penn’s Master of Philosophy in Liberal Arts
“I love the University of Pennsylvania. I get really emotional about it,” says Lisa S. Katz, (Master of Philosophy in Liberal Arts ’21). As the Director of Leadership Gifts for the University of Pennsylvania’s Perelman School of Medicine, Lisa is steeped in stories of successes and breakthroughs made possible by the University: She builds relationships with Penn Med alumni to encourage them to actively participate in their individual journey to advance and transform philanthropic support for medical education, research, and patient care. “When you are included in that specific journey, it becomes about community,” she adds. “It was always my dream to go to Penn.”
Lisa S. Katz (MPhil `21)
As a Director of Leadership Gifts, Lisa travels all over the country to meet with Penn Med alumni and donors, and at first, she was not sure her demanding work schedule would make it possible to pursue a graduate degree from Penn. That is what brought her to Penn’s College of Liberal and Professional Studies (LPS) and the Master of Philosophy in Liberal Arts (MPhil) program, which can be completed on a full- or part-time basis. “I went to LPS, and they could not have been more welcoming,” she says. “They were door openers. I felt respected as an individual and as a potential student.”
As an MPhil student, Lisa valued the range of courses, subjects, and disciplines open to her. “I am a relationship-builder,” she explains. “When you are a gift officer, you are not just talking to alumni and donors about one thing. They want to talk about where they have traveled, museums and art exhibits and culture.” Courses such as storytelling and negotiation behavior provided insights she could use at work, while courses such as American Art helped her to grow her interest and knowledge creating a deeper passion for the subject. “Taking an art history class at an Ivy League university was just exactly what you imagine—learning and understanding the history, the significance, the social context of art,” she recalls. “The class was fabulous. It was a great experience to learn from Penn professor who is published and recognized as an international expert.” Art history inspired Lisa to combine her professional experience in philanthropy with her access to world-class art history resources: for her culminating capstone project, she explored the role of philanthropy in art museums after the COVID-19 pandemic began.
“When the door opens at Penn, you go through and you come out a different person,” reflects Lisa. “You get to work with the most amazing, brilliant and supportive professors and go to class with the most inspiring students, and you get to learn from your caring and creative community.” For Lisa, the doorway was literal: when she walked into to Fisher-Bennett Hall on Penn’s campus for her very first MPhil course, the technologically enhanced classroom where her seminar met had been donated by an alumna Lisa had worked with for many years. “I thought, ‘This is a good sign,’” says Lisa. “At the end of this educational journey, it is an honor to be Penn alumna and know that you embody some of the highest ideals that the University represents.”
Penn’s Master of Philosophy in Liberal Arts offers the independence of self-directed study with the expertise of world-class faculty and advising. Ideal for lifelong learners who previously completed a master’s degree in the liberal arts, the program helps connect students with courses across the University that develop their interests and fit their schedules. Contact our program director, Dr. Christopher Pastore, to schedule an appointment to review your current research and explore your options for pursuing a Master of Philosophy in Liberal Arts at Penn.
(215) 898-7326
lps@sas.upenn.edu
www.upenn.edu/mla-mphil
