Endicott College will welcome actor, author, and former White House staff member Kal Penn as part of its Presidential Speaker Series, which brings influential voices to campus for timely conversations around leadership, service, culture, and civic engagement. The event will take place on April 29, 2026, at 6 p.m. in the Cleary Lecture Hall, Hempstead Commons. Tickets are free and open to the public.
Hosted by President Bryan Cain, Ph.D., and sponsored by Endicott’s Center for Civic Participation (ECCP), with generous support from Arlene Battistelli ’60, the event will invite students and the broader community to engage in a dynamic dialogue with Penn, whose career uniquely bridges entertainment, public service, and advocacy.
Best known for his roles in the Harold & Kumar franchise, House, Designated Survivor, The Namesake, and HBO’s Industry, Penn is also the author of the bestselling memoir You Can’t Be Serious, a candid and humorous reflection on identity, ambition, and choosing an unconventional path.
From 2009 to 2011, Penn took a sabbatical from the private sector to serve in the Obama/Biden administration as the President’s Liaison to Young Americans, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, and the Arts community. In these three outreach roles, he worked on a team focused on issues that included the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, the Affordable Care Act, Pell Grants, the DREAM Act, and rapid response to the BP Oil Spill.
He was a national co-chair for the Obama/Biden re-election campaign in 2012 and served on the President’s Committee for the Arts and Humanities, focusing on arts education and cultural diplomacy, including the first-ever U.S. Government arts delegation to Cuba.
“Kal Penn’s career reflects the kind of multidimensional leadership we strive to model for our students,” said President Bryan Cain, Ph.D. “He brings a rare blend of storytelling, public service, and advocacy that resonates deeply with Endicott’s mission. We’re excited to welcome him to campus for a conversation that will spark dialogue and inspire our community to engage more fully in the world around them.”
Penn received a B.A. in sociology with a concentration in theater, film, and television at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), and a graduate certificate in international security from Stanford University. He is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Penn has been an adjunct lecturer at the University of Pennsylvania and UCLA.
Now in its fourth year, the Presidential Speaker Series was established to bring nationally recognized voices to Endicott College, fostering conversations that challenge perspectives and inspire action and innovation. Previous speakers have included journalist Joan Lunden, travel writer Rick Steves, actor and activist Sean Astin, and President Thomas Jefferson (portrayed by Kurt Smith).
The event is free and open to the public. Pre-registration is required. RSVP today.