07/15/2026
Penn GSE alums work across Penn's campus in almost every school and center. Our summer series, , continues with a spotlight on Rita Hodges, C'05, GED'15, GRD'24, associate director of Netter Center for Community Partnerships.
"I help advance community-engaged scholarship; oversee development, alumni relations, and communications; and support regional, national and global networks that advance the civic and democratic mission of higher education," said Rita. "GSE's EdD program in higher education administration provided a wonderful opportunity to advance my research skills, knowledge, and perspective—alongside fantastic faculty and peers—while simultaneously advancing my community-engaged practice through the Netter Center. My studies through Penn GSE inform my leadership and engagement with Netter's diverse partners, as I bring an understanding of institutional mission, culture, and change to help provide a context and approach for our further learning and action together. I have been lucky to be engaged with West Philadelphia-Penn partnerships through the Netter Center for over twenty years, starting as an undergraduate, and proud to be an alum of both the College and Penn GSE!"
