The College of Liberal and Professional Studies is pleased to recognize the LPS student finalists selected to participate in the professional master’s program category of this year’s Penn Grad Talks. The competition, which took place at the Penn Museum on Friday, February 21, features TED Talk-style presentations by Penn Arts and Sciences graduate students representing the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, and professional master’s programs. Winners from each program category, plus an overall audience choice awardee, were announced on social media.
This year’s professional master’s program category winner was Master of Applied Positive Psychology student Suzanne Johnson, who discussed how she overcame shyness utilizing positive psychology techniques. You can watch Suzanne’s presentation on Vimeo.
The LPS student presentations:
Vanishing Flavors: How Immigration Can Influence Culinary Traditions
Melissa Arjona, Behavioral and Decision Sciences, discussed the representation of culture through food, the connection between immigration and changes in culinary traditions, and the correlation between loss of culinary traditions and weakened social and community networks. Watch Melissa’s presentation on Vimeo.In Their Own Words: Neurodiverse Leaders
Leila Bateman, Organizational Dynamics, shared her research on how neurodiverse individuals navigate positions of leadership, what strengths they bring, what challenges they face, and how organizations can embrace and support neurodiverse leaders. Watch Leila’s presentation on Vimeo.Revenge of the Bionic Beetroot: Conquering Shyness with Optimism—category winner
Suzanne Johnson, Applied Positive Psychology, discussed her research on chronic shyness and her own experience of overcoming extreme shyness through learned optimism and other positive psychology techniques. Watch Suzanne’s presentation on Vimeo.Lead with Listening: Using a Coaching Mindset to Elevate Daily Conversations
Caroline Jones, Organizational Dynamics, covered why coaching matters and shared practical coaching techniques from the DICE methodology (deep listening, inquiry questions, challenge and support, effective action) that anyone can bring into everyday relationships to help others move forward and thrive. Watch Caroline’s presentation on Vimeo.When AI Listens: Can It Truly “Serve” Humanity in Crises?
Shuyao Liu, International Public Administration, covered five roles that AI technologies, such as predictive modeling, can play in the efficient and empathetic delivery of public services, particularly during crises. Watch Shuyao’s presentation on Vimeo.
Congratulations to Suzanne and to all the LPS students who participated in this year’s Penn Grad Talks!
Watch all the LPS student presentations with opening remarks from Vice Dean Nora Lewis >
