Dr. Laura Perna, University of Pennsylvania

On our 15th episode. we are joined by Dr. Laura Perna! Dr. Perna, a professor at the University of Pennsylvania and Co-Founder of Penn’s GSE Aliance for Education, talks about her research, issues of college access, affordability and success for first-generation, under-resourced students and why she has dedicated her life to this specific research.The Rundown0:00 - Intro and podcast name change2:30 - arc of her career, goals of her research4:00 - reflecting on her own experiences and how that influences her current work7:00 - what does her ideal intervention look like? How do you tackle the numerous barriers for first-gen, under-resourced students?10:10 - College Promise programs and her findings14:45 - college affordability and pell grants17:30 - achievement gap, staying on track during these Covid times and the benefits of a college degree21:00 - Advice to our scholars about post-secondary options25:00 - Ring the Bell Segment