The State of University City 2025

On Thursday, May 22nd, 2025, UCD our annual State of University City event at World Cafe Live with hundreds of partners, stakeholders, local leaders, and neighbors. We are grateful to everyone who attended to hear UCD President Matt Bergheiser and distinguished guest speakers share insights on University City’s status as a local leader in innovation, address current challenges, and preview exciting plans for our neighborhood’s future, detailed in our new State of University City 2025 publication.

We were thrilled to be joined during the program by Holly L. Hedrick, MD from Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Michael Forman of FS Investments, Nicholas Sicliano of viTToria Biotherapeutics, and Angela Val from Visit Philly.

From left to right: Holly L. Hedrick, MD, Michael Forman, Matt Bergheiser, Nicholas Siciliano, and Angela Val

The event served as our official release of our publication The State of University City 2025. This report provides details on over 40 ongoing development projects within our neighborhood, outlines the district’s status as a national leader in innovation, and includes data and details on economic conditions and trends. If you would like additional physical copies of the report, please stop by our office at 3940 Chestnut Street or email us at marketing@universitycity.org.

During the event, we screened a video produced in partnership with Oak Leaf Media and SEPTA about the critical partnership between The Skills Initiative and SEPTA. Since we first collaborated with SEPTA in 2019, The Skills Initiative has helped hundreds of Philadelphians earn the training and certifications they need to start their careers as Bus Operators at SEPTA. In the video linked below, hear from SEPTA officials, Skills Initiative staff, and a Skills Initiative graduate about how this unique partnership has helped to fill these crucial roles, which in turn keep the region moving. Please use the link below to watch the video again and share it with your network.

University City is a microcosm of the neighborhood partnerships that we see play out in every imaginable context: major institutions, business leaders, and community members working side-by-side over many years to make University City stronger, more vibrant, and more competitive. The work ahead will not be without obstacles, but the momentum in our neighborhood, and the engine of transformation that we have collectively built, point to an exceedingly bright future.

Finally, our thanks to our publication and event sponsors for helping to make our work possible.