An interactive intercultural leadership workshop through iCommunicate.
About this Event
Tuesday, November 17 | 1–3 p.m.
Limited to 30 participants • First come, first served
One shared goal. A ticking clock. Surprises along the way. How will your team succeed?
Join Dr. Rudie Altamirano, Executive Director of International Student and Scholar Services, for an energizing, hands-on simulation that brings communication, culture, and teamwork to life.
For the first time, Dr. Rudie is bringing GUMPSPIRE to the broader Penn community through iCommunicate.
What begins with gumdrops, toothpicks, and a building challenge soon reveals something deeper about how we work together. Who has the information? Whose voice is heard? What assumptions get in the way? And how can we help everyone contribute to a shared goal?
Expect laughter, unexpected challenges, and discoveries you can bring directly to your work at Penn: from team meetings and cross-department projects to interactions with colleagues and students.
Through the simulation and Dr. Rudie’s guided discussion, you will explore ways to:
- Communicate more effectively across cultures, roles, and backgrounds.
- Recognize how bias and access to information influence teamwork.
- Navigate misunderstandings with curiosity and confidence.
- Build trust and create space for every team member to contribute.
Whether you supervise others, support students, coordinate programs, or collaborate across Penn, this experience offers a fresh perspective on the work you do every day. No leadership title or prior intercultural training is needed.
Because this simulation depends on active participation, enrollment is limited to 30 people, first come, first served.
Reserve your spot --- and discover what you can build together.
Event venue & nearby stays
Penn Global ISSS, 3935 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, United States
Concerts, fests, parties, meetups — all the happenings, one place.