The Special Advisor Program provides an immersive leadership development opportunity for faculty interested in academic administration and service to the Penn community. Special Advisors will spend the academic year embedded in the Provost’s Office, contributing to strategic projects while gaining exposure to academic decision making, program design, and cross-unit collaboration.
The Special Advisors listed below were selected through a university-wide call for applications issued in January 2026. Direct inquiries regarding the program and selection process to provost-fac@upenn.edu.
2026-2027 Special Advisors
Eric Feldman, the Heimbold Professor of International Law and deputy dean for global engagement in the Penn Carey Law School, has been named senior advisor to Provost John L. Jackson, Jr. Professor Feldman will work closely with Provost Jackson and other University leaders as they continue to revise the University of Pennsylvania’s Open Expression Guidelines.
Aswin Punathambekar, a professor of communication and associate dean of master’s programs in the Annenberg School for Communication, has been named a special advisor to Senior Vice Provost for Faculty Laura W. Perna. Professor Punathambekar will lead the response to the Faculty Senate Executive Committee’s resolution that recommends a new teaching faculty track in the associated faculty.
Megan Ryerson, the UPS Foundation Professor of Transportation and chair of city and regional planning in the Weitzman School of Design, has been named a special advisor to Provost John L. Jackson, Jr. Professor Ryerson will lead the academic and operational aspects of Penn Learning for Life, a key initiative of Penn Forward.
Florian Schwarz, a professor and the undergraduate chair of linguistics in the School of Arts & Sciences, has been named a special advisor to Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education Russell Composto. Professor Schwarz will lead the implementation of the Penn STEM Foundations Center, a key initiative of Penn Forward.
Heather Sharkey, a professor of Middle Eastern languages and cultures in the School of Arts & Sciences, has been named a special advisor to Vice Provost for Graduate Education Kelly Jordan-Sciutto. Professor Sharkey will lead the Benjamin Franklin Scholars and University Scholars programs in the Center for Undergraduate Research and Fellowships.