For Mackenzie Sleeman (C ‘25), transferring to Penn wasn’t just about changing schools—it was about changing his outlook. Busy from a day of classes and meetings, he arrives at the Van Pelt-Dietrich Library’s booth with an easy smile, offering greetings as if you were already a familiar face. Every few minutes, he pauses to wave or exchange a few words with someone passing by—chances are, he already knows them. That's just the kind of energy Mackenzie carries. He’s the type of person who makes a big place like Penn feel a little smaller.
Arriving from Villanova University with a clear purpose, Mackenzie dove headfirst into building the community he once wished existed, dedicating his time to making Penn a more welcoming place for transfer students through initiatives like founding the Transfer Student Advisory Board and the Transfer Critical Writing Seminar. Now, Mackenzie has become a familiar face across campus, whether he’s advocating in student government or advisory boards, shooting hoops in his free time or simply reminding others to follow their own path. Guided by the belief that every risk is a chance to grow, Mackenzie leaves Penn knowing he made the most of every moment—and helped others do the same.
Hometown: Westchester, New York
Major: Philosophy, Politics, and Economics
Activities: Undergraduate Assembly, Undergraduate Education Class Board, Fels Student Association, Student Wellness Advisory Group, Transfer Student Advisory Board, Transfer Student Organization
How did your journey lead you to Penn?
I was a transfer student to Penn from Villanova, so I may have had a different experience than other Penn students. Transferring to Penn was a very intentional choice for me because I really wanted to be in a new environment where I felt like I could grow and really discover my purpose and sense of self. At Penn, there’s so much opportunity and the students are so driven, and I really wanted to be a part of that atmosphere.
What did you hope to gain from your experience at Penn and do you think you achieved it?
I have no regrets because I really pushed myself to be my version here. That comes from taking a lot of risks and trying to put myself out there. Here, I wanted to do things differently than what I did at Villanova because I just didn’t feel very satisfied with who I was there. So I planned to focus, do well in school, and of course, make myself vulnerable. So being at Penn, I've really tried to take that extra step, to go out of my comfort zone and not fear “failure.” I see everything I try as a moment of growth. Looking back on my sophomore year, I’ve grown a lot and would have been a completely different person if I stayed at Villanova. Penn has really pushed me in ways that I didn’t expect.
Could you describe your overall experience and journey of being a transfer student at Penn?
I think that if I came into Penn fresh as a first–year, it’d be an entirely different experience than what I’ve had so far as a transfer student. My position as a transfer student shaped my experience at Penn, and that’s partly because I got deeply involved in advocating for transfer students. I just want to make the process I went through better for others.
What was the most challenging Penn–specific adjustment you had to make?
That’s a great question. I think it’s finding your people. Penn’s a big school, and I am really grateful to have a lot of transfer student peers that I can call my friends. But I think Penn is really unique with the vast amount of clubs and extracurriculars it offers, so even getting out of that transfer student bubble and really exploring other facets of the University, I was able to really meet some amazing people.
What is an unexpected club or community you joined?
I would say student government because I was never really involved prior to college. When I got to Penn, there were a couple of upperclassmen that pushed me to run, but I doubted if I could really make a change. Yet the University and the administration has so much faith in its students, so I truly felt like I could make a difference. I ran to represent the transfer students, and so something that I look back on as a senior is my platform. There were three guiding principles in that election that I’ve tried to keep, and I feel like I have accomplished that. I’m very at peace with what I've done because I feel like I came here and joined student government with a purpose, and I was able to fulfill that through my work with administration, my peers, and my friends.
You mentioned three guiding principles you pursued during your time on board, what were they?
Creating a Transfer Critical Writing Seminar, improving the credit transfer process, and making a permanent space for advocacy work—for transfer students. I felt like working through the Transfer Student Advisory Board helped me deliver the kind of promise that I tried to make.
What inspired you to start so many initiatives on acclimating transfer students?
I think a part of it really came from maybe the struggles that I had coming into Penn. I found it difficult to adjust academically and socially. And if I’m experiencing these things, other students could be experiencing them, too. What’s really amazing about Penn students is that we have a lot of grit and resilience. It’s okay to try to alleviate some of those barriers, instead of trying to just push through them. So I took a step back and navigated ways to alleviate that kind of burden on a transfer student. That’s why I went about trying to make things better.
What is your favorite class you’ve taken at Penn so far?
People who may read this may be surprised, but my favorite class is the Ethnohistory of the Native Northeast because it was one of my most challenging classes, yet I got so much out of it. It made me consider a different perspective that I had never thought about, changing my worldview. I got like an 80 on my first essay, so I initially didn’t know if this was the right class for me. But I really pushed myself to do better in the class, and on the last paper I wrote for that class, I got a 98—which was a really good feeling. I wrote my paper about a monument in the town next to me, called Chief Kisco. Through the class, I was able to do research on something I’ve seen my whole life, allowing me to uncover stereotypes or misconceptions on Native American people. Researching something I’ve witnessed my entire life through the lens of this class—uncovering the stereotypes and misconceptions surrounding Native American people—was truly eye-opening.
What are your next steps following graduation?
That’s a great question for right now, because things are kind of up in the air. I want to go to law school. I want to practice law, and then eventually, I want to run for elected office in the late future.
How would you advise the incoming students to start their journey at Penn?
I would advise students to follow their hearts. I say that to myself everyday because it can be really hard to stay on your path. You can get pulled in a lot of different directions, but try to ground yourself with who you are and what you want to do. A lot of people at Penn are going to pursue different things, but you’re pursuing your own because that’s what’s right for you and what you’re meant to do. So think about leaning more into that.
Lightning Round
Soundtrack to describe your life? Patagonia soundtrack
Favorite activity to do on campus? Oh, I love to play basketball, really.
Favorite place to eat in Philadelphia? El Vez
Penn Hot take? It’s only preprofessional if you let it be.
There are two types of people at Penn? You either take five or more classes or you don’t
And you are? I try to take five, no more
This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.
Do you know that one senior who brings a smile to everyone’s face or always has the craaaziest stories? It’s time to give them the recognition they deserve. Ego of the Week seeks to showcase seniors not for their grades or any other academic construct, but for who they are as a person and the joy they bring to the people around them! Nominate your favorite Penn seniors for Ego of the Week!
